The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team brings the stars to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre with their pop-up planetarium.
Yours to explore
Elan Valley is situated in the county of Powys in mid-Wales, just a couple of hours from Birmingham and Cardiff. The nearest town is Rhayader.
At Elan Valley you will find a Visitor Centre with cafe and shop, our Bike Hub with bike hire, plus exhibition, picnic sites, toilets, ample parking for cars, coaches and bikes, adventure playground, walking and bike trails and lots more.
Monday to Sunday, 9:00am – 5:00pm, April – October
Monday to Sunday, 10:00am – 4:00pm, October – March
Please note we are closed for Christmas Day
Visitor Centre Grid Reference: SN 928 646 (N52.2694 W3.5724)
Satnav: LD6 5HP
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From Rhayader, follow the B4518 west out of the town. The left turn for the Visitor Centre is signposted after three miles. For satnav users, please note the postcode LD6 5HP takes you almost to the Visitor Centre and car park but after you turn left from the B4518, ignore any advice to cross the iron bridge over the river. Instead, drive over the cattle grid and the Visitor Centre is ahead of you. If travelling north to Rhayader on the A470, your satnav will try to take you through Llanwrthwl Village; this is not suitable for coaches or large vehicles as it takes you through narrow country lanes. For a more direct route head for Rhayader and turn left at the Memorial Clock.
The nearest train station is 8 miles away at Llandrindod Wells which is on the Heart of Wales line that runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea. Buses are available – see the X47 and B57 routes for more details. For further information, please head to Traveline Cymru. To complete your journey to the Elan Valley you can use the Taxi Link service operated by S.P. Cars (Simon Price) – please call 01597 810666 providing 2 hours advance notice. This service is available to wheelchair users and concessions are available.
Intersecting at Rhayader with National Cycle Network Route 8 (known as the Lôn Las Cymru and running between Cardiff and Holyhead) and Route 825 (part of the Radnor Ring), The Elan Valley Trail is part of National Cycle Network Route 81 (open in sections between Aberystwyth and Wolverhampton) and runs right through Elan Valley. Once you reach us, a popular way to explore the sights and sounds of Elan Valley is on two wheels. While you are here, you can hire a bike, e-bike or trailer from the cycle hub or you can of course bring your own ride. Bike parking available.
A roadtrip along The Cambrian Way is a popular choice for travellers. It’s a complete north-south journey along the mountainous spine of Wales, running for 185 miles (300km) from coast to coast. Following the A470 north from Cardiff or south from Llandudno, there’s a list of unmissable experiences along the route through the heart of Wales. It can take five hours by car but the best way to experience it is to stop and enjoy the sights along the way. The A44 from Worcester and the A488 from Knighton are popular routes to the Cambrian Way from England.
We have ample parking available on site. Disabled parking is available just outside the Visitor Centre.
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water wants to provide fantastic facilities for visitors to enjoy. For this to continue, we need to have car parking charges at our visitor attractions. All income will be used to care for the sites, ensuring they are kept to a high standard and provide a clean and well-maintained environment.
| Charging Period | Cars | Motorhome/Van/Minibus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | £1.50 | £3.00 |
| 2 hours | £2.50 | £5.00 |
| 3 hours | £3.50 | £7.00 |
| 3+ hours | £6.00 | £10.00 |
| Annual Parking Pass | £40.00 | £60.00 |
There are two electric car-charging points available at Elan Valley Visitor Centre – click here to see details. The charge points are operated under the ZeroNet network. A parking fee applies but the car-charging is free.
A hub for meeting, relaxing, eating, drinking. Complete with café, gift shop and rooms to hire.
• READ MORE •You can hire bicycles and trailers from our Bike Hub and get advice about the range of cycle trails across the Elan Valley.
• READ MORE •Enjoy a refreshing drink, homemade cake or hot meal from our delicious seasonal menu in our Visitor Centre Cafe.
• READ MORE •Visitor Centre
Disability-access parking adjacent to Visitor Centre.
Level access from disabled parking area to Visitor Centre.
Toilet facilities accessible by wheelchair with appropriate aids for a wide range of disabilities.
Staff
All Visitor Centre staff are Dementia-Friendly trained.
Assistance dog facilities
Water bowls provided.
Awards List
Alzheimer’s Society Dementia-Friendly Site.
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!
