Featured events
Elan Valley is a place of peace and tranquillity - but it never stops. There is always something to see, whether it is the natural changes of the seasons to organised events within the Estate. We will keep you posted of planned events in this section of the site.
The following is a list of featured events happening at Elan Valley but there is always an upcoming activity for your diary so click through the menu on the left to see everything that may interest you.
The printed leaflet for 2019/20 is now available. To read a PDF copy, click the following links:
Elan Valley Events Guide 2019 -2020 English
Cwm Elan Digwyddiadau 2019-2020 Cymraeg
Exhibition: Francis Brett Young - Poet, Novelist, Soldier
Sat 6 Apr to Fri 28 Jun / 10am - 4pm
Frequently writing about the history of the English midlands and the Welsh borderlands, Francis Brett Young (1884-1954) was particularly interested in the Elan Valley and Birmingham’s Welsh Water scheme - a topic to which he regularly returned in his novels. The most famous of these, The House Under the Water, first published in 1932 has been dramatised for both BBC radio and television, produced as a talking book and translated into Finnish, German and Spanish.
Bird Walk - Early Migrants
Sun 7 Apr / 9.30am - 1pm
Join local birdwatcher Tony Ware for a walk through the RSPB Carngafallt woodlands looking for early migrants.
Bring binoculars and appropriate clothing/footwear.
Meet outside the Visitor Centre.
For further information please ring Tony on 07772 792722.
Planetarium Show: The Solar System
Sun 7 Apr / 11am, 12 noon, 2pm and 3pm
Take a tour of the Solar System with Martin Nelmes from the University of Aberystwyth.
We will try to put the Solar System into perspective and present some interesting facts about various moons and planets. Plus we will cover some of the recent research by planetary scientists and what it tells us about the Solar System.
Four FREE Shows at 11am, 12 noon, 2pm and 3pm.
Places are limited so please book in advance by calling 01597 810880.
Trees – an exploration through batik workshop
Sat 13 Apr / 10am - 4pm
Artist Jenny O'Leary will teach you how to use the technique of batik (hot wax resist) to create pieces of work inspired by trees - this might be the structure, leaves, shape, seasons and topiary - working on different surfaces such as tissue, paper and fabric, separately and in combination.
We will work with wax, bleach, inks and dyes to create fabulous textures and effects. An exciting course allowing for exploration and discovery.
Places are limited so please book in advance.
£60 per person, payable in advance.
Please call 01597 810880 to book.
Dam Open Day
Wed 17 Apr / 1 - 4pm
Join our Rangers at one of our big Dam Open Days - an exclusive chance to venture into Pen y Garreg Dam and up to the central tower. You’ll enjoy a bird's-eye view of the dam wall – and learn about the feat of engineering that made Elan.
Park at Penbont car park and take a walk through the woodland, up the steps to the dam entrance. There is no need to book, simply turn up anytime between 1pm and 4pm.
There are steps inside the dam which may be wet and in some areas there are low light levels. Children should be carefully supervised at all times.
Easter Egg Scramble
Fri 19 Apr to Mon 22 Apr / 10am - 4pm
An Easter Treasure Hunt for the whole family around the Visitor Centre and Cnwch Wood - work together for your chance to win an Easter Egg!
No unaccompanied children please. £1 per child.
Sgrialfa Wyau Pasg
10yb-4yp. Helfa Drysor Pasg ar gyfer yr holl deulu o gwmpas y Ganolfan Ymwelwyr a choedwig Cnwch – cydweithiwch am gyfle i ennill Wy Pasg! £1 y plentyn.
Blast Off! Bottle Rockets
Wed 24 Apr / 10am - 12 noon & 1 - 3pm
Come along to the Visitor Centre to design, manufacture and launch your own rocket.
Only £3 for your rocket materials.
Please book in advance on 01597 810880.
No unaccompanied children please.
24 Ebrill
Dydd Mercher – Chwythiad! Rocedi Potel
10yb – 12yp & 1 – 3yp. Dewch i’r Ganolfan Ymwelwyr i gynllunio, cynhyrchu a lansio’ch rocet eich hun. Dim ond £3 am eich deunydd roced. Dim plant digwmni.
Village Tour
Sat 27 Apr / 2 - 3.30pm
Learn about the history of Caban Coch Dam, the workers’ village and other stories on this easy one mile walk.
Meet at the Visitor Centre.
27 Ebrill
Dydd Sadwrn - Taith y Pentref
2-3.30yp. Dysgwch am hanes argae Caban Coch, pentref y gweithwyr ac hanesion eraill ar y daith gerdded un filltir hawdd yma.
Back to the Wildwood? A look at ancient trees
Sat 4 May / 2 - 5pm
There is hardly anywhere in Western Europe where you can appreciate what the "wildwood" was like. Parts of the Elan Valley are a rare exception.
We will explore one of the finest relict ancient woodlands in Britain and examine its unique wildlife.
Join Ray Woods on this short walk that will start at the Visitor Centre.
4 Mai – ‘Nôl i’r Coed Gwyllt? Edrych ar goed hynafol
Bird Walk - Woodland Birds
Sun 5 May / 9.30am - 1pm
Join local bird watcher Tony Ware on a walk through Cnwch woodland by the Visitor Centre.
Bring binoculars and wear appropriate clothing/footwear.
For further details please ring Tony on 07772 792722.
