Cwm Rheidol - The Rheidol Valley
The quiet Rheidol Valley is a rather good choice for a touring day out, featuring typically Welsh scenery, some unexpected attractions such as major hydro-electric power station and a butterfly farm and a chance for activities such as fishing and cycling.
Cwm Rheidol Hydro Electric Scheme
Covering over 160 km2, this is the largest hydro-electric scheme in England and Wales and an important hub for energy company E.ON. There's a visitor centre and interesting guided tour at the power station, as well as the chain of reservoirs to fish in or explore.
The free visitor centre offers displays and exhibitions explaining the scheme, along with guided tours of the power station and its fish farm between 11am and 3.30pm. Open from 10.30am to 4.15pm on Easter weekend and then daily from 1st May to 30th Septmber, the visitor centre is around 8 miles outside Aberystwyth (map) and signposted from the A44 and Rheidol Cycle Trail at Capel Bangor.
It's also quite nice to explore the scheme's reservoirs by car or bike. These include the impressive, 600 acre Nant-y-moch reservoir in the shadow of the Pumlumon mountains, a few miles north of Ponterwyd (map) and its smaller downriver counterpart, Dinas Reservoir. Both reservoirs are stocked with varieties of trout and permits for fishing can be bought from the Rheidol Filling Station in Ponterwyd. The falls at the little Cwm Felin Reservoir near to the visitor centre are floodlit at night until about 11pm BST or 10pm GMT.
Further information: E.ON Visitor Centres (scroll down!) | Visitor Centre: (01970) 880667
Rheidol Cycle Trail
Starting at the harbour in Aberystwyth, this 17 mile trail leads you through the Rheidol Valley to Devil's Bridge, mainly along quiet back roads and dedicated cycle routes.
This is the area's first proper cycle route, and it is clearly signposted for its entire length. Although unchallenging for most of its distance, there is a very steep climb up from the valley floor to Devil's Bridge, so be prepared - or take the alternative ending to the route which leads to the old Rheidol mines.
Further information: Route Guide
Magic of Life Butterfly House
A collection of exotic plants and butterflies which visitors are free to walk among. Located in Cwm Rheidol, near the power station.
Further information: Website
Public transport: little in this area, apart from bus route 525 which serves Capel Bangor, about 3 miles from the visitor centre.
See also: Vale of Rheidol Railway
This page updated 18-Sep-2007