Celebrating Heritage

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The story of the Elan Valley dates back over 4,000 years to the bronze age. The Elan Valley reservoirs we know and love today are as a result of innovative Victorian engineers who created the dams most associated with the area. 

The Elan Links scheme will tackle the threats and challenges to the historical locations across the area by:

  • Maintaining and restoring sites
  • Archiving people’s histories and stories

Safeguarding Elan’s historic environment

We will preserve historical sites and artefacts, creating an accurate record accessible to the public.

Increasing access to archaeological and built heritage

We will improve visitor access to six historic sites: the half built Dol y Mynach dam, the Dam busters site at Nant y Gro, World War II pillboxes, Roman marching camp, Cwm Elan Mine and a medieval rabbit farming complex.

Resident Engineer’s House

We will restore the 19th century Pen y Garreg bungalow, home of the chief dam engineer, so it is open to visitors and artists.

Cwm Clyd Farmstead

We will sympathetically renovate the 18th century Cwm Clyd farmstead to provide accommodation for large groups that wish to spend time in the area.

People to Collections

We will create an archive of documents, memories, pictures and artefacts celebrating the area’s past and present.

Get involved

Throughout the scheme, there are lots of opportunities for you to get involved including:

  • Record the stories of the area
  • Archiving and research
  • Managing collections
  • Condition surveys