This map shows Lake Vyrnwy (Llyn Efyrnwy in Welsh)located in the North of the county of Powys in Mid Wales, It is to be found South of the town of Bala and North West of the town of Welshpool, but its secluded location makes it diffficult to describe Vyrnwy as "near" anywhere! If you are looking for somewhere that feels out of the way yet has plenty of things to do then Lake Vyrnwy is the place for you.

The lake itself is actually a reservoir for (as is usually the case) an English city. The City in question this time is the City of Liverpool in the North West of England. In the late 19th Century the City fathers decided that they needed a reliable source of clean water and decided to buy the land for the lake. But to ensure the purity of the water they also purchased the surrounding 24,000 acre catchment area thus enabling them to enhance the great scenic beauty of the area. There was the small problem of the village of Llanwddyn smack in the middle of the proposed lake. But this was solved by promising to relocate the village to the land either side of the new Dam, and work began in 1881. On completion the lake covered an area of over 1,000 acres of land with a circumference of 11 miles (18 km) and there is now a road circumventing the lake.

The lake was stocked in 1889 with 400,000 Loch Leven trout, and the first official day of fishing was in March 1891. The fishing and other country sports continue to this day with the added options of adventure sports including canoeing, sailing and board sailing. There is also a dedicated RSPB reserve for those who are content with just looking at the wildlife, The RSPB nature reserve covers 16,000 acres with several bird hides around the lake, where several rare species of bird are known to be breeding, such as the Pied Flycatcher, the Peregrin Falcon and the Wood Warbler.
The reserve also has the largest remaining tract of heather moorland in Wales which is home to a number of birds rarely found in other parts of the country including the Black Grouse, Merlin, and Red Grouse.

[ Map of Lake Vyrnwy location ]

Please click on the TOWNS or villages to find some where to stay in the area around Lake Vyrnwy. Choose from self catering accommodation near to Lake Vyrnwy or alternatively you may click on the HOTEL logo for hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation close to Lake Vyrnwy, Mid Wales.

= HOTELS & SERVICED ACCOMMODATION

= SELF CATERING COTTAGES

Originally the valley would have been the catchment area for the River Vyrnwy (or Afon Efyrnwy) but the river now starts at the foot of the dam and flows East towards England, eventually finding its way too Shropshire where it meets up with the River Severn on the Welsh border.

Accommodation in the area consists of holiday cottages nearby or rooms at the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel offering magnificent views of the lake and surrounding countryside.

Although Vyrnwy is very popular with nature lovers and the country sports enthusiasts it also has much more to offer. The 12 mile shoreline provides one of those rarities in mid-Wales - a long flat, circular road which makes it popular with cyclists, walkers and road runners. You may bring your own bicycle but you also have the option to  hire a bicycle or even a tandem when you visit Lake Vyrnwy. You can take a pleasant ride around the lake and experience some of the most beautiful scenery in Mid Wales. If you are feeling more energetic then they have an annual half marathon race round the lake which I believe takes place in September but although I competed in the race myself several years ago I can't find the website details.

Attractions and facilities near Lake Vyrnwy :

Fishing, Shooting, Country Sports :

Lake Vyrnwy Hotel, Powys, Mid Wales

Adventure Centre :

Located at Boathouse near the dam.

Offers kayaking, open canoeing, sailing and board sailing on the lake, with instruction or for hire.
White water rafting, raft building and swiftwater rescue training on local rivers.

Nature Reserve :

RSPB Lake Vyrnwy Nature Reserve, Bryn Awel, Llanwddyn, Powys, SY1O OLZ. Tel: 01691 870278

Disabled facilities include a third hide in the main car park where woodland birds such as the Siskin and Nuthatch feed.

Bicycle Trails :

A pleasant ride around the lake, experience some of the most beautiful scenery in Mid Wales.

Distance: approx. 11 miles (18 km)

Gradient: Easy/Moderate

Bicycle Hire :

Artisans. The Old Sawmill, Lake Vyrnwy, Tel: (01691) 870317

Hire a cycle or mountain bike or even a tandem for trip around the Lake.

Directions :

From Llanfyllin, take the B4393 to Llanwddyn.

Nearest railway station : Welshpool, over 20 miles away.

Bala Lake, Llyn Celyn, Llyn Brenig, Llyn Trawsfynydd, Llyn Clywedog, Llyn Geirionydd, Llys-y-Fran Reservoir, Elan Valley Reservoirs, Tal-y-Llyn, Lake Vyrnwy, Llyn Padarn, Pontsticill Reservoir, Llangorse Lake, Llyn Brianne, Rheidol Valley and Llyn Nant y Moch,

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