Elan Valley

Fondly known as the ‘Welsh Lake District,’ the Elan Valley is an area of 72 square miles of historic landscapes, an internationally important wildlife site. The chain of man-made lakes – dams and reservoirs – are a feat of Victorian engineering and were built to supply much needed clean water to Birmingham. Today, they add to the spectacular landscape, creating and safeguarding natural habitats. The visitor centre, below Caban Coch dam, is a good place to start your adventure, and you can discover hidden secrets of the valley with a bespoke ranger tour.