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Discover Elan

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Welcome to Discover Elan (formerly Elan Links: People, Nature, Water), a page managed by the Elan Valley Trust.

This page will celebrate how special the Elan Valley Estate is for its wonderful nature, heritage and stunning dark skies. Sign up to our monthly newsletter: https://shorturl.at/X9Bce

Elan lies at the heart of the Cambrian Mountains in Mid Wales. Its unique landscape combines remote hill land, isolated farmsteads, steep-sided wooded valleys and an extraordinary feat of Victorian engineering that brought clean water to the then rapidly expanding industrial city of Birmingham. Today, Elan’s 20,000 hectares - 1% of Wales - is a haven for wildlife and people. It has a host of nature and landscape designations; and the 154,000 visitors a year enjoy the breath-taking scenery, nature, recreational facilities and extensive free educational and heritage-based resources for schools, families and communities. Our vision is ambitious - to generate a step-change increase in beneficial outcomes from this special place – for people, for communities and for heritage. To achieve this we have developed a strategic programme of investment to safeguard our heritage and to increase enjoyment, education, training, and recreation for the
benefit of all.

21/10/2026

A weekend of conservation work in the Elan Valley
The Elan Valley Trust welcomed 18 students from the University of Birmingham Conservation Group, who joined our Volunteer Officer, Olivia, for a weekend of practical conservation work.

Together, they:
- Carried out peatland field surveys to help inform future restoration plans.
- Removed Sitka spruce to give native oak and birch saplings space to re-establish.

Both activities contribute to the long-term restoration and management of habitats across the Elan Estate. A big thank you to everyone who gave up their weekend to lend a hand!

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Penwythnos o waith cadwraeth yn Nyffryn Elan
Croesawodd Ymddiriedolaeth Dyffryn Elan 18 o fyfyrwyr o Grŵp Cadwraeth Prifysgol Birmingham, a ymunodd â'n Swyddog Gwirfoddol, Olivia, am benwythnos o waith cadwraeth ymarferol.

Gyda'i gilydd, fe wnaethon nhw:
- Gynnal arolygon maes o fawndiroedd i helpu i lywio cynlluniau adfer yn y dyfodol.
- Tynnu pefrwydd Sitka i roi lle i eginblanhigion derw a bedw brodorol ailsefydlu.

Mae'r ddau weithgaredd yn helpu i adfer a rheoli cynefinoedd yn y tymor hir ar draws Ystâd Elan. Diolch o galon i bawb a roddodd o’u hamser dros y penwythnos i roi help llaw!

20/10/2026

A few moments from the recent Tynllidiart gather.
Farmers, shepherds, sheep and dogs on a September day in the Elan Valley.
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Dyma rai lluniau o'r ymgynnull yn Nhynllidiart.
Ffermwyr, bugeiliaid, defaid a chŵn ar ddiwrnod ym mis Medi yn Nyffryn Elan.

19/10/2026

Insect spotlight: The Oak Eggar
Oak eggar caterpillars are found all across our uplands in the autumn and winter, but it is a rare sight to find the moth responsible for them.
The oak eggar is a furry moth that, despite its name, feeds preferentially on bilberry and heather. Hence, it's caterpillar form is a frequent sight in our uplands.
In fact, its name refers to its tough, brown, acorn-shaped cocoon that you may find lurking in the vegetation.
The moth pictured is a female, who tend to fly at dusk. Meanwhile, the males fly during the day, fast and low - looking for females.
If you're spending a day in the uplands, keep your eyes peeled for these velvet beauties or their fuzzy caterpillar form!
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Sylw ar bryfed: Ŵylun y Gwair
Mae lindys ŵylun y gwair i’w gweld ar draws ein hucheldiroedd yn yr hydref a'r gaeaf, ond anaml yr ydym yn dod o hyd i’r gwyfyn sy'n gyfrifol amdanyn nhw.
Mae ŵylun y gwair yn wyfyn blewog sydd, er gwaethaf ei enw, yn bwyta llus a grug yn bennaf. Felly, rydym yn ei weld yn aml yn ei ffurf lindys ar ein ucheldiroedd.
Mewn gwirionedd, mae ei enw yn cyfeirio at ei gocŵn caled, brown, siâp mesen y gallech ddod o hyd iddo yn llechu yn y llystyfiant.
Gwyfyn benyw sydd yn y llun, ac mae'n tueddu i hedfan pan mae hi’n nosi. Yn y cyfamser, mae'r gwyfynod gwryw yn hedfan yn ystod y dydd, yn gyflym ac yn isel - yn chwilio am wyfynod benyw.
Os ydych chi'n treulio diwrnod ar yr ucheldiroedd, ceisiwch gael cip ar yr hyfrydwch melfed hyn neu eu ffurf lindys blewog!

📸 Hazel Lee

16/10/2026

☄ Dust from the most famous comet in history is about to light up our night sky. The Orionid meteor shower is active from 2nd October - 7th November, peaking on the night of October 21st.
Derived from Halley’s Comet, these meteors are famous for being fast, exceptionally bright, and leaving stunning, lingering trails of light. Expect around 15 meteors per hour during the peak.
The Moon’s waxing gibbous phase will interfere with seeing the peak of the shower but it will set at 3am on 22nd October, providing a couple of hours of darkness.

📸Matthew Larkin at Unsplash

☄ Mae llwch o'r gomed enwocaf mewn hanes ar fin goleuo awyr ein nos. Mae cawod meteor Orionid yn weithredol o 2 Hydref - 7 Tachwedd, gan gyrraedd ei hanterth ar noson 21 Hydref!
Yn deillio o Gomed Halley, mae'r sêr gwib hyn yn enwog am fod yn gyflym, yn eithriadol o lachar, ac yn gadael llwybrau golau syfrdanol, hir. Disgwyliwch tua 15 seren wib yr awr yn ystod yr anterth.
Amser Gorau i Wylio: Yr oriau di-loer, cyn y wawr yw’r amser gorau i gael golwg glir. Ewch i fan tywyll, gwisgwch yn gynnes, ac edrychwch i fyny!

15/10/2026

Before modern supermarkets and digital delivery, old communities such as the Navvies Village in Elan Valley, revolved around storefronts like this one. Nestled against a lush hillside, this wooden and corrugated iron shop served as the hub of its local community. The shopkeepers look very smart with their bleached-white aprons, and you even can see some of their wares in the window.

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Camwch yn ôl i oes arall...
Cyn archfarchnadoedd modern a dosbarthu digidol, roedd hen gymunedau fel Pentref y Navvies yng Nghwm Elan, yn cylchdroi o amgylch siop fel hon. Wedi'i leoli yn erbyn llechwedd ffrwythlon, roedd y siop bren a haearn rhychog hon yn gwasanaethu fel canolbwynt ei chymuned leol. Mae'r gweithwyr siop yn edrych yn smart iawn gyda'u ffedogau gwyn wedi’u cannu, a gallwch chi hyd yn oed weld rhai o'u nwyddau yn y ffenestr.

14/10/2026

Would you like to work in the stunning Elan Estate in the heart of mid Wales?
We are seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated Farm Worker who can manage livestock in an upland farm environment and fulfil a range of tasks across our in-hand holdings.
👉Find out more: https://elanvalley.org.uk/about/careers/
📸 Jane Phillips
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Hoffech chi weithio yn Ystâd hyfryd Elan yng nghanol canolbarth Cymru?
Rydym yn chwilio am Weithiwr Fferm hunan ysgogedig a brwdfrydig a all rheoli da byw ar fferm ucheldirol, gan gyflawni amrywiaeth o dasgiau ar draws ein daliadau mewn llaw.
👉Rhagor o wybodaeth: https://elanvalley.org.uk/cy/about-cymraeg/swyddi/

13/10/2026

Our volunteer officer has had a very busy year, and their team of volunteers have achieved an astounding amount of essential conservation work! Read their update here:https://elanvalley.org.uk/volunteering/a-thank-you-from-the-volunteer-officer/

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Mae ein swyddog gwirfoddolwyr wedi cael blwyddyn brysur iawn, ac mae eu tîm o wirfoddolwyr wedi cyflawni swm anhygoel o waith cadwraeth hanfodol! Darllenwch eu diweddariad yma: https://elanvalley.org.uk/cy/uncategorized-cy/diolch-gan-y-swyddog-gwirfoddolwyr/

11/10/2026

The beautiful Nantgwyllt Church is a familiar landmark as you travel around the Elan Valley.

Nantgwyllt is Welsh for 'Wild stream", referring to the to the fast-flowing stream that runs into the Claerwen Valley.

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Mae Eglwys hardd Nantgwyllt yn dirnod cyfarwydd wrth i chi deithio o amgylch Cwm Elan.

Mae Nantgwyllt yn cyfeirio at y nant sy'n llifo'n gyflym ac yn mynd i mewn i Ddyffryn Claerwen.

08/10/2026

Since the arrival of summer, the peat bogs of the Elan valley saw the typical influx of dragonflies and damselflies, flocking to the stagnant pools to breed.
A recent survey conducted by County recorder Martyn Moore, revealed an abundance of over 100 Black Darters egg-laying across one of the restored peat bogs. Not only is this a beautiful and magical site, but it is only the 3rd time in Radnorshire where black darters have been recorded in this abundance!
But the real cherry on the cake was a very special record of a Small Red Damselfly. This damselfly is a Nationally Scarce, Red List species of shallow heathland pools and flushes. It is clear that the peatland restoration work that has been completed in the Elan Valley creates the exact type of habitat these damselflies prefer! This record made only the second record in Radnorshire! The last being a whopping 37 years ago!
This is great news for these red list species and for the Elan Valley peat team who are working to restore these bogs and attract biodiversity.
Field notes from Elan Valley Ecologist, Hazel Lee.
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Ers dechrau’r haf, mae corsydd mawn Dyffryn Elan wedi gweld y mewnlifiad nodweddiadol o weision y neidr a chwilod mursen, yn heidio i'r pyllau llonydd i fridio.
Daeth i’r amlwg mewn arolwg diweddar a gynhaliwyd gan y cofiadur sirol Martyn Moore, fod dros 100 o bicellwyr yn dodwy wyau ar draws un o'r corsydd mawn sydd wedi'u hadfer. Nid yn unig y mae hwn yn safle hardd a hudolus, ond dyma'r trydydd tro i gynifer o bicellwyr gael eu cofnodi yn Sir Faesyfed!
Ac i goroni’r cyfan, cafwyd cofnod arbennig iawn o fursennod bach coch. Mae'r fursen hon ar y Rhestr Goch fel Rhywogaeth sy’n Brin yn Genedlaethol mewn pyllau a rhuthrau dŵr rhostiroedd bas. Mae'n amlwg bod y gwaith adfer mawndiroedd sydd wedi'i gwblhau yn Nyffryn Elan yn creu'r union fath o gynefin sydd orau gan y chwilod mursen hyn! Dim ond yr ail record oedd hon yn Sir Faesyfed! Roedd yr un diwethaf 37 mlynedd yn ôl!
Mae hyn yn newyddion gwych i'r rhywogaethau hyn ar y rhestr goch ac i dîm mawndiroedd Dyffryn Elan sy'n gweithio i adfer y corsydd hyn a denu bioamrywiaeth.
Nodiadau maes gan Ecolegydd Dyffryn Elan, Hazel Lee.

07/10/2026

Why is our Peatland Restoration Officer bouncing on a bog?
Because a wet bog can be surprisingly bouncy.

Sphagnum moss can hold 16–26 times its dry weight in water, depending on the species. Acting like a natural sponge, it helps hold water within the bog, while the vegetation and structure of the peatland help slow its movement through the landscape.
This was filmed on 19 August, during one of the driest periods of the summer, yet you can still quite literally feel the water beneath your feet.
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Pam mae ein Swyddog Adfer Mawndiroedd yn bownsio ar gors?
Oherwydd gall cors wlyb fod yn syndod o sbonciog.
Gall mwsogl sffagnum ddal 16–26 gwaith ei bwysau sych mewn dŵr, yn dibynnu ar y rhywogaeth. Gan weithredu fel sbwng naturiol, mae'n helpu i ddal dŵr o fewn y gors, tra bod llystyfiant a strwythur y mawndir yn helpu i arafu ei symudiad drwy'r dirwedd.
Cafodd hwn ei ffilmio ar 19 Awst, yn ystod un o gyfnodau sychaf yr haf, ond gallwch chi deimlo'r dŵr o dan eich traed.

Address

Rhayader
LD65HP

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

https://elanvalley.org.uk/, http://tiny.cc/ElanValleyNewsletter

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