There are lots of places to visit in North and South Wales but mid Wales has one of the best of all, the Elan Valley Reservoirs. This is a brief guide with a few photos, it is one of my favourite places in the UK.
To get there, go to a small town called Rhayader and take the B4518. There is a narrow road that passes all the reservoirs and loops back to Rhayader. On the way, it is worth stopping at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre. There are some good exhibitions in there and a shop to buy maps and guides.
Caban Coch dam
The first reservoir is Caban Coch, work on the construction started in 1896. This is the most basic of the dams but still looks spectacular when overflowing. There is a little car park on the right of the road and it is worth stopping for some photos.
Caban Coch dam
Careg-Ddu dam
Continue on the road and there is a choice now, if you want to see all the reservoirs, turn left over this bridge to the Claerwen dam, if you want to shorten your journey, go straight on. This looks like a bridge but it is actually a fully submerged dam, the Careg-Ddu dam.
Elan Valley bridge over the Careg-Ddu dam.
Claerwen dam.
The Claerwen dam was built later than the original dams. It is a much larger dam and holds almost as much water as the other older dams combined. It is a spectacular site when it is fully overflowing but that usually only happens during the wet winter months. This panoramic view shows the reservoir, dam and valley below.
Claerwen dam
Pen-y-Garreg dam
To get to the next dam, go back along the road and over Careg-Ddu bridge and turn left. Pen-y-Garreg dam has a tower in the middle of it with an access tunnel but it isn't usually open to the public.
Pen-y-Garreg dam
Craig Goch dam
Continue along the road to the last dam, my favourite, Craig Goch. The views here can be spectacular, I like walking to the top of the hills either side of the dam. There is a road over the dam and a nice walk down to the Pen-y-Garreg dam.
Craig Goch dam
The Elan river.
Continue on the road and follow the signs to loop back to Rhayader, there is a nice view of the Elan river snaking down the valley and it is a scenic drive all the way back. If you have been to the Elan Valley or want to know more, please leave a comment. This site has some good information about the history of the dams and how they are used to supply water to Birmingham. http://history.powys.org.uk/history/rhayader/elanmenu.html
Elan river.
All these photos were taken by me.
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