Elan Valley – Beautiful Lakes & Dramatic Dams

Visiting Elan Valley is one of our top recommendations if you’re happy to travel a little further from The Cottages. It is about 90 minutes away, but the drive itself is a very enjoyable part of the day. Elan Valley boasts 72 square miles of unspoilt nature and reservoirs. But it is the dams that make this such a unique place to spend a day.

Visitor Centre

When you arrive, head to the visitor centre where you can get a guide with maps of the estate. There is a gift shop, cafe and loos there and they often host exhibitions. You can pay for parking (£3.00) here, then you can park in any of the car parks around the Estate. You can also hire a mountain or E-bike from the visitor centre. Either book in advance through the website or on the day.

Which Way First?

There are several routes you can take to explore the estate. You will see Caban Coch Dam first as it is close to the Visitor Centre. Caban Coch was the first dam worked on and was designed to look like a waterfall when it overflows. The stone in the quarry nearby was used inside the dams. The facing stone was a sandstone brought up from the Vale of Glamorgan. 

Caban Coch Dam - Visiting Elan Valley

Claerwen Dam

We like to visit Claerwen Dam next. There is a large car park at the bottom of the dam (with toilets and picnic benches). There is also a smaller parking space at the top of the dam. It’s worth doing both – the dam is so dramatic from the bottom, but you get great views from the top.

The construction of the Claerwen Dam, the last of the dams in the district, took six years, using a workforce of 470. It was ceremonially declared open by the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II in October 1952, in one of the first official engagements of her reign. There are walks that you can do here: More info on Claerwen

Garreg Ddu Dam

The submerged dam can only be seen at low reservoir levels. Garreg Ddu has two purposes: to hold back water to enter the Foel Tower, and to provide access to the Claerwen valley. The Foel Tower is where drinking water is extracted to start its three day journey to Birmingham. Drive across the bridge and there is a car park on the other side. Park here and there is a nice walk by the river and through woodland to the next dam – Pen y Garreg.

Visiting Elan Valley - Garreg Ddu

Pen y Garreg

Pen y Garreg is the smallest dam and reservoir. When full, it holds just over two weeks’ worth of water. The tower was built in the Birmingham Baroque style. This dam is unusual in that it houses an access tunnel to the central tower which is lit by apertures in the downstream side of the dam. This enables Pen y Garreg to be opened to the public on certain days of the year. The walk to Pen y Garreg from the car park at Garreg Ddu is steep in places, so do wear walking shoes or boots. You can drive to the top of the dam and view it from there if you don’t want to do the walk.

Pen y Garreg - Visiting Elan Valley Dams

Craig Goch

Craig Goch is the highest upstream of the series of dams in the Elan Valley and is often referred to as the ‘top dam.’ It is seen by many as the most attractive of the dams, with an elegantly curved retaining wall and a series of arches carrying a narrow roadway across the top of the dam. It has a domed valve tower and the structure is typical of the ‘Birmingham Baroque’ style of much of the waterworks scheme.

Craig Goch - Visiting Elan Valley, Mid Wales

Find Out More

The landscape is of national importance for the diversity of lower plants (mosses, liverworts and lichens) and the Estate is the most important area for land birds in Wales. It is covered by 12 separate Sites of Special Scientific Interest. 

The Estate has been awarded an International Dark Sky Park Award and it is filled with a wealth of nocturnal Wildlife which thrives under the very dark skies.

Elan Valley is good to visit all year round as the landscape changes with the seasons. Autumn is a particularly splendid time to go for the colours.

Find out more about visiting Elan Valley : Elan Valley Trust and Elan Valley Welsh Water.

Make sure your route back to the cottages takes you along the Mountain Road from Elan Valley to Devil’s Bridge – it is awesome.

Events in Mid Wales 2024

When you’re planning your holiday to Coedmor Cottages you may need some ideas for days out. Here is a handy list of events in Mid Wales 2024 including festivals, fairs and concerts to help you to make the most of your time in wonderful Wales. Events in West Wales are easily accessible from our cottages too. All these days out are doable as a day trip from our cottages and each listing is a clickable link so you can find out more about the event.

Events in Mid Wales 2024 - food and drink festivals

March

2nd & 3rd March St David’s Day Food & Drink Festival
Pembrey Country Park

2nd & 3rd March St David’s Day Food & Craft Weekend
National Botanic Garden of Wales (10:00 – 16:00)

15th – 17th March – The Laugharne Weekend
Laugharne

23rd & 24th March – Spring Steam Rally
Pembrey Country Park

Events in Mid Wales 2024 - horse shows

April

20th April – Lampeter Stallion Show
Talsarn, SA48 8QB 

20th April – Pride in Aberystwyth
Bandstand, Marine Terrace

27th April – Barley Saturday – Horse Parade
Cardigan

27th & 28th April – A Taste of Wales Spring Festival
National Botanic Garden of Wales (10:00 – 17:00)

27th & 28th April – Wonderwool Wales
Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells

Mach comedy Festival Events in Mid Wales 2024

May

3rd-5th May – Machynlleth Comedy Festival
Various venues Machynlleth

14th May – International Dylan Thomas Day

18th & 19th May – Smallholding and Countryside Festival
Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells

26th & 27th May – Ceredigion Garden, Craft & Food Festival
Alban Square, Aberaeron

Events in Mid Wales 2024 - royal welsh show

June

6th – 10th June – Westival
Manorbier, Pembrokeshire

7th – 9th June – Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival
South Beach, Tenby

8th June – Aberystwyth & Ceredigion Show 
Gelli Angharad Fields, Aberystwyth 

15th June – Llandeilo Pride
Market Street, Llandeilo

28th-30th June – Wales Balloon Festival 
Carmarthen Showground

29th-30th June – Towy Valley Vintage Show (Vehicles)
Pontargothi Showground, Llandeilo

Saundersfest - events west wales 2024

July

6th & 7th July – Wales National Airshow
Swansea

8th July – Tivyside Agricultural Show
Glan-Llyn Fields Newcastle Emlyn

12th-14th July – Saundersfest
Saundersfoot

13th July – Llanelli Pride
Selwyn Samual Centre, Park Crescent

19th – 21st July – Brecon Choir Festival
Brecon

20th July – Aberaeron Sailing Regatta
Aberaeron Yacht Club

22nd-25th July – Royal Welsh Show 
Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells

27th July – Lampeter Food Festival
University of Wales Trinity Saint David Campus

28th July – West Wales Shire Horse Annual Show
Alban Square, Aberaeron

Events in Mid Wales 2024 Royal Welsh show

August

2nd– 4th Aug – New Quay Music Festival 
New Quay FC Parc Arthur

3rd August – Brecon County Show
Brecon County Showground

3rd August – Cardigan County Show
PantyGrwndy, Cardigan

TBC Aug – Cilgerran Festive Week
Cilgerran

9th – 11th Aug – Tresaith Beach Party 
Tresaith Beach

9th – 11th Aug – Cardigan Bay Regatta
New Quay

Events West wales 2024 Aberaeron regatta

10th Aug – Aberaeron Beer & Cider Festival
Aberaeron Yacht Club (12:00 – late)

14th-16th August – Welsh National Sheepdog Trials
Pontrhydfendigaid, Tregaron

16th-18th August – Tresaith Beach Party 
Tresaith Beach

17th Aug – Cardigan River and Food Festival
Quay Street Cardigan (10:00 – 17:00)

17th August* – Llandeilo Show
Cawdor Fields, Ffairfach

24th Aug – Aberaeron Mackerel Fiesta
Aberaeron Yacht Club & The Harbourmaster

Events in Mid Wales 2024 bog snorkelling

25th Aug – World Bog Snorkling Championship
Waen Rhydd Bog Llanwrtyd Wells

25th August – Cruise Culture Car Show
Carmarthen Showground

23rd – 25th August Aberystwyth Street Food Festival 
Aberystwyth Marina

23rd – 26th August – Tresaith Regatta & Beach Party
Tresaith Beach

26th Aug – Aberaeron Carnival
Aberaeron Harbour (Parade starts at 13:45)

26th August – Tregaron Show
Tregaron

30th August – 1st September – Rali Ceredigion
Aberystwyth

Aberglasney events in 2024 West wales attractions

September

6th – 8th September – Craft Festival Wales
Cardigan Castle (10:00-17:00)

7th & 8th Sept. – Aberglasney Food & Music Fayre
Aberglasney, Llangathen

14th & 15th September – Llandovery Sheep Festival
Market Square, Llandovery

27th September – Apple Weekend at Llanerchaeron
Llanerchaeron, Ciliau Aeron

28th & 29th September – Narberth Food Festival
Town Moor, Narberth (10:00-18:00/10:00-16:00)

28th & 29th Sept. – Steam Rally & Country Fayre
Pembrey Country Park (11:00 – 16:00)

October

4th – 6th October – Aberystwyth Comedy Festival
Aberystwyth

11th – 14th October Brecon Baroque Festival
Brecon Cathedral/Theatr Brycheiniog

31st October – 2nd November – Other Voices Cardigan
Various venues, Cardigan

November

15th – 17th November* – Llandeilo Festival of Senses
Llandeilo

25th & 26th November – Royal Welsh Winter Fair
Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells

29th November – 1st December – Aberglasney Winter Fair
Aberglasney, Llangathen (10:00-16:30)

* Denotes dates to be confirmed

Check available dates for our cottages: Romantic Holiday Cottages for Couples

All Images © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2024) Cymru Wales.

Stargazing – Dark Sky Areas Near the Cottages

We have wonderfully dark skies here – around the cottages on a clear night it is stunning. And we also have lots of Dark Sky Discovery sites within easy reach of the cottages around the Cambrian Mountains and Cardigan Bay if you want to experience truly epic stargazing. 🤩 

Milky Way in Wales Dark Sky area.

Leigh has become pretty good at Astro Photography, capturing pictures around the cottages and our meadows.

Stargazing - dark sky areas. Dark Sky Discovery sites.

Red Kite Cottage Starlapse image.

The Milky Way taken in Picnic Meadow.

Another shot of the Milky Way from the cottages’ Picnic Meadow. The best seasons for stargazing are Spring, Autumn & Winter.

Stargazing - Dark Sky Areas in Wales

Venturing further afield, Leigh went on a night time expedition up Drygarn Fawr in the Cambrian Mountains near Tregaron for even darker skies.

Dark Sky Discovery Sites

There are plenty of great designated Dark Sky Discovery sites within easy reach of the cottages. From the map above the three easiest to get to are:

7: Llyn Brianne

8: Mynydd Llanllwni

9: Llanerchaeron

Penbryn Beach is another wonderful location for really dark skies to make the most of the stars.

Check available dates for our cottages here: Dark Sky Holiday Cottages for Couples

Photos 1 & 8 – © Dafydd Wyn Morgan. All other photographs © Coedmor Cottages.

Best Things to do at Dinefwr National Trust

Visiting Dinefwr National Trust – a historic estate located in Carmarthenshire. Dinefwr is known for its grand mansion, extensive parkland, and rich history dating back many centuries. The estate encompasses Dinefwr Castle, Newton House, and a large area of parkland that has been designated as a National Nature Reserve. It is about a 40 minute scenic drive from Red Kite & Woodpecker Cottages. There is a large car park which is free to NT members or £5 for a full day for non-members. The easiest way to find it is with What3Words : Compelled : Trailer : Park

Newton House, Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire, National Trust

Newton House

A Georgian mansion that was built within the estate during the 17th century. It served as the home of the Rhys family, who were descendants of the Lord Rhys. The mansion is a prime example of Georgian architecture and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. It is open to the public and offers visitors a glimpse into the estate’s history. Entry to the house is currently £9 per adult for non NT members.

Dinefwr Signpost © Coedmor Cottages

There is so much to do at Dinefwr. You can explore the castle ruins, tour Newton House, enjoy walks through the parkland, and appreciate the stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The estate offers a combination of history, architecture and nature.

Dinefwr Castle, Carmarthenshire, Days Out, National Trust

Dinefwr Castle

A medieval fortress that sits on top of a hill overlooking the River Tywi. It has a strategic location that allowed its occupants to control and monitor the surrounding landscape. The castle has a long history, with its origins dating back to the early 12th century. Over the years, it was the seat of the Lord Rhys, a powerful Welsh prince, and played a significant role in Welsh history during periods of conflict with the English. You can visit the castle for free and the views over the Tywi Valley are stunning.

Views from Dinefwr Castle of the Tywi Valley © Coedmor Cottages

Parkland and Nature Reserve

The parkland surrounding Dinefwr is known for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife. The estate’s landscape includes woodlands, meadows, and the picturesque Dinefwr Deer Park. The park is home to a herd of fallow deer that roam freely, adding to the scenic charm of the area. The estate’s parkland has been designated as a National Nature Reserve, emphasising its ecological importance.

The walks around the estate are beautiful in all seasons. Late spring is especially lovely when the bluebells are out.

Bluebell time at Dinefwr Estate. © Coedmor Cottages
Dinefwr Map

Here’s a handy map showing all the different areas. There are plenty of picnic areas scattered through the estate and also a cafe for refreshments. You can definitely spend a whole day exploring! Find out more on the NT website: National Trust Dinefwr

Photos 1,2,4,6,7, 9 & 12 – © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2023) Cymru Wales. All other photographs © Coedmor Cottages.

Coed y Foel Woodland Walks

We took a drive out to Coed Y Foel Woodland Nature Reserve a couple of days ago for a walk (about 25 minutes from the cottages). It’s a really beautiful woodland and is a mixture of established broadleaf forest with a more open “nursery woodland”. 

There is a small car park with a few more spaces out on the quiet road.


The older part of the forest is mostly oak and the newly planted part is a mix of hazel, alder and other native species.

There is a pretty steam running through the valley – Ziggy enjoys a cooling dip there. 


It’s a moderately challenging walk but very peaceful and quiet and there are several circular routes you can take to make it more or less challenging. At this time of year there are lots of bilberries to snack on as you walk too!

There are information boards to show you the trails and the route is way marked (although not clearly in some places).

Here’s a little Reel I made for Instagram 😊

See more of our Instagram Reels here:

https://www.instagram.com/coedmorcottages/

Cae Hir Gardens – a Feast for the Senses

Just a 20 minute drive from Coedmor Cottages is gorgeous Cae Hir Gardens. They have been an RHS Partner Garden for 18 years and are one of the original Magnificent 6 – the ‘Great Gardens of West Wales’. 

Cae Hir Gardens in May

Whether you’re a keen gardener, nature enthusiast, or looking for a serene escape, you can easily while away hours exploring. It’s a place where you can immerse yourself in the wonders of nature, discover unusual plants, and find peace in the tranquility of a beautifully crafted garden.

Cae Hir Gardens - Trees

The colours are really stunning in the sunshine. There are some rare and unusual specimens to discover.

Cae Hir Gardens - mediterranean area

As you explore the winding pathways, you’ll be treated to a variety of stunning features and plantings. From vibrant flower beds to manicured lawns, Cae Hir Gardens offers a feast for the senses at every turn. 

Cae Hir Gardens Pond
Cae Hir Gardens - Rhododendron

Working with Nature

The gardens have been designed in a naturalistic style, blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. The Wild Garden is one of my favourite parts of the garden. Nature is allowed to flourish. Situated in a beautifully secluded spot at the very bottom of the garden, it runs adjacent to the ‘Bran’ – a delightful, winding stream.

Cae Hir Gardens - wild ponds.

Rounding off your Visit

If you are inspired by the garden’s plants, some of them are available to buy in the on-site nursery.
And the best way to round off your visit is to visit “Y Sied” tearoom. Treat yourself to a home-baked scone or cake with a pot of tea or the local Teifi Coffee . 😋 If the weather is warm, you can also try the locally produced Conti’s Ice Cream – made right here in Lampeter. Entry to the nursery and tearoom are free so you can pop in even if not touring the gardens.

Afternoon Tea at Cae Hir Gardens

Opening Times

The gardens open at 10am and close at 5pm daily through the season which runs from April 1st to October 31st. More information and current prices can be found on their website: Cae Hir Gardens

Check available dates for our cottages: Romantic Holiday Cottages for Couples