The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team brings the stars to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre with their pop-up planetarium.
Yours to explore
Celtic rainforests are extremely rare habitats, found only on the western coast of the UK and Ireland where bio-climatic conditions, including high rainfall, pure air and humidity, are ideal.
These forests are also referred to as Temperate or Atlantic Oak forests and they provide vital habitats for wildlife.
The Elan Valley is within the temperate rainforest zone and its woodlands have been identified as the some of the most important in Europe. Designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Areas (SPA), they support a rich array of rare and threatened species.
Defined as ‘semi-natural ancient woodlands’, the dominant species is sessile oak.
Celtic rainforests are thought to be under greater threat than tropical rainforests. Over the centuries, they have deteriorated due to issues like commercial forestry, invasive species and grazing by sheep and deer. The decline has put stress on precious flora, especially lichens, as well as woodland birds like redstarts and mammals like the lesser horseshoe bat.
Welsh Water and its partners are working together to safeguard these precious ecosystems.
Welsh Water and RSPB Cymru with the support of Natural Resources Wales and Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, are working together to protect and enhance the biodiversity of Elan’s woodlands by expanding Celtic rainforest woodland compartments, restoring ancient woodland features and delivering new volunteering and educational opportunities for the local community.
The key element of the project is to link up fragmented blocks of broad-leaved woodland along the southern edge of Caban Coch reservoir to create a single sustainable grazing compartment and allow the natural expansion of Celtic Rainforests across approximately 5km.
The vision is to establish a single large Celtic rainforest, a rich ecosystem of Atlantic Oak woodland that supports a huge variety of important wildlife and providing an improved drinking water catchment for future generations.
This project is funded by The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) scheme. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the Welsh Government.
Cnwch and The Gro woodlands were given National Forest Wales status in autumn 2024, recognising them as well-managed and delivering best practice; this would not have been possible without the TWIG grant.
The LIFE Celtic Rainforest Project is a partnership between Welsh Water, Eryri National Park Authority, RSPB Cymru, The Woodland Trust and Natural Resources Wales.
The project aims to improve the habitat of lower plants such as mosses and liverworts within these woodlands by tackling the issue of invasive species. Rhododendron ponticum and Sitka Spruce have been identified as considerable threats and there is now focus is on their removal across the estate.
Another aim is to remove dense crowded saplings to allow mature trees to survive and let the sunlight in. Called halo-thinning, this opening out of the canopy attracts birds like wood warblers, redstarts and pied flycatchers.
The project is also developing active management of the woodland including conservation grazing by heavier animals, such as cattle, to control species like bramble and bracken to promote biodiversity of, in particular, lower plant life and epiphytes.
Further information about the project may be found on the Celtic Rainforest Wales website.
The restoration of Elan Valley’s Celtic Rainforests is a significant ecological component of the Elan Valley Lakes Project which is seeking funding from the Mid Wales Growth Deal, a catalyst for recovery and economic growth in Mid Wales.
The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team brings the stars to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre with their pop-up planetarium.
This is the perfect activity for the family that seeks adventure with their holidays.
Platforms, bridges, unusual obstacles, a zip line and an adrenaline jump…
An opportunity to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the area from the water…
Elan Valley’s new Dragon Quest Trail for youngsters is roaringly good fun!
