The landscape of Wales is characterized by lofty mountains, lakes and dense old forests all around the country. But what most tourists don’t realize is that hidden away amid these enticing landscapes are innumerable lakes scattered over vast expanses of land. Some are cloaked in history and stories, while others embrace their isolated position and provide a lovely environment for activities such as trekking, meditation, or the more dangerous thrill of swimming in untamed waters. Here are the top 12 that we have included:
This garden is known as the National Botanic Garden of Wales
The National Botanic Garden of Wales has completed a five-year, seven-million-pound restoration project, which resulted in the restoration of six Regency lakes. These lakes are an excellent example of a Regency-style landscape design and first constructed by William Paxton during the 18th and 19th centuries in order to provide water to his Middleton Estate.
Visitors will, at one moment, able to see a placid lake that is not moving at all, and at the next minute, the air will humming with the sound of water pouring down cascades, a waterfall, and a weir. The area encircled by a magnificent pathway.
Pwll yr Ardd, which translates to Garden Pool, Llyn Uchaf, which means Upper Lake, and Llyn Canol, which means Middle Lake are the three lakes that you will view along this journey. The largest lake is Llyn Mawr, which is about 65,000 square meters in size, and the lake Llyn Felin Gat looks out over a wonderfully crafted wooden bridge. There is a chance that you will witness kingfishers, otters, perennials, hellebores, and lilies if you are fortunate enough.
Talley Lakes
The only edifice in Wales to associated with the Premonstratensian order, Talley Abbey is the country’s lone abbey. Talley’s twin lakes are located beyond its skeleton remnants and are separated from one another by a narrow neck of land. These came into existence during the most recent ice period.
The fact that the monastery given the name Talley (Talyllychau), which literally means “head of the lakes,” is not unexpected. The lower lake has a total area of 27 acres and is encircled by willow carr, alder carr, and reed swamp. Due to its isolated position, there are grebes, swans, and ducks in the area. The upper lake is around 16 acres in size, and during the summer months, you may see the yellow and white water lily floating on the surface of the lake.
Dinefwr Lakes
Dinefwr Park is located around 27 kilometres (17 miles) from Llyn y Fan Fach. It is here that the tale of the Lady of the Lake is told, since it is thought that the white cattle on the estate are descended from the herd that she nurtured. The lake in this area is known as the Lake of Reflections, and it can found inside the historic deer park. It is said that being near the lake will make you seem to richer than you really are.
According to the urban legend, a farmer once utilized a lake to his advantage by reflecting himself and 10 of his cattle in order to give the impression that he had twenty cows. This enabled him to win a competition and save his life.
Llyn y Fan Fach
The ascent to the peak of Llyn y Fan Fach is a moderately strenuous four-mile journey. You’ll find a wild mountain ridge there that’s known as Bannau Sir Gaer, and it’s located right next to a glacial lake that’s shrouded in mystery. The legend of The Lady of the Lake said to associated with Llyn y Fan Fach, a lake that shrouded in mystery.
According to the legend, a young farmer living in the 13th century saw a beautiful lady emerging from the water of a lake. He granted her hand in marriage on the condition that she would divorce him after three separate instances of physical abuse. Unfortunately, the farmer was able to strike her, and she knocked unconscious before vanishing back into the lake, taking her enchanted farm animals with her but abandoning her boys. These lads went on to become famous as the Physicians of Myddfai and provided medical care to the royal court of England.
The lake serves as a sanctuary for a variety of birds and animals, including fish, red kites, carrion crows, buzzards, and kestrels. Although there is a sign that says “no swimming in the wild,” there have instances in. Which travelers have disregarded this regulation and declared that the potential danger was well worth it.
The Lakes of the Elan Valley
There are 12 sites of Special Scientific Interest spread over the Elan Valley’s 180 square kilometers, covering almost the whole valley. The city of Birmingham receives its supply of potable water from a number of dams that are located on this property. The gracefully curving Craig Coch is the tallest of them, soaring 1040 feet above sea level and enjoying a broad lake behind its design that has described as “Birmingham Baroque.”
The Garreg Ddu and Pen y Garreg dams are also highly popular. They are both encircled by a group of trees and undulating hills, giving the area the appearance of a combination of the Lake District and the Great Lake close to Hogwarts.
The Caban Coch Dam is the one that is the lowest of the dams. It looks like a natural waterfall and has a peaceful path that goes along the lakeside and into the bluebell woods.
Lastly, Claerwen is about twice as large as the other dams combined, and its reservoir is almost as large as all of the other lakes put together. Beginning on the lake’s northern bank, travelers may go on a path that is 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) long and goes all the way around the Claerwen National Nature Reserve.
The Lily Ponds of Bosherston
The National Trust owns and operates the Stackpole Estate, which is where you’ll find Bosherston Lily Ponds. The National Trust also manages the estate. It claimed that King Arthur made his last visit here before setting sail for Avalon. And that he was the one who discovered the legendary sword known as Excalibur.
Swans and pike may found in plenty in the ponds, and during the warm months, the surface of the lake covered with water lilies. During the fall, take the mile-long walk around the lakes to witness the yellows, oranges, and reds of the changing leaves reflected in the water, or seek for otters.
Llynnau Cregennan
The name of the lake comes from the Welsh word “crog-gangen,” which literally translates as “hanging branch.” This gives the lake a fairly macabre background. It generally believed that offenders executed by hanging from the limb of a nearby oak tree. Because of its location on the northern slopes of Cadair Idris, which is around 250 meters above sea level, and its view of the Mawddach Estuary, Llynnau Cregennan considered to be one of the most beautiful spots in the Snowdonia National Park.
The area that surrounds the lake held by the National Trust, and it has rural characteristics such as a few of tiny hill farms, sheep grazing. And anglers casting their lines in the hopes of catching trout. It is also a terrific spot to come face to face with Wales’ ancient history, since there are Neolithic standing stones and Bronze Age hut circles in the region. This makes it a perfect place to learn about Wales’ prehistoric past.
Lakes Vyrnwy
In order to provide Liverpool with potable water, construction began in the 1880s on the Lake Vyrnwy reservoir in Powys. The lake itself is five miles long, and it is a half mile broad. It holds 12 billion gallons of water and has a width of just a half mile.
The area around Lake Vyrnwy, which includes agriculture, forest, and moorland, has classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Due to the low levels of pollution and the presence of 40,000 brown trout. This lake considered to be among the greatest locations in the UK for stargazing. The path around the lake is twelve miles long and is completely level, making it ideal for bikers. Photographers often express their awe and wonder at the slender structure. Also known as the Straining Tower, that seems to emerge from the depths of the lake. It has the appearance of a castle from a fairy tale. And the arched bridge surely contributes to this concept.
Llangorse Lakes
The Llangorse Lake is the biggest natural lake in Wales, and it can found to the east of Brecon. It developed over a period of millions of years and sits at an elevation of 145 meters above sea level.
In addition to designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Llangorse is a well-known destination for anglers. Who interested in catching pike, bream, tench, perch, eels, and roach. You are able to rent a boat, stand-up paddleboard, windsurf, dinghy, or rowing boat from the Llangorse Common. Otters, water voles, swallows, Canada geese, warblers, swifts. And coots are just some of the species of birds and animals that may seen in this area. Which is another reason why nature lovers will appreciate this location. Following the pathway that round the western coast and leads. To the Llangasty Nature Reserve is one of the most effective methods to get a glimpse of the wildlife that live there.
In addition to this, Llangorse Lake is famous for its afanc, also known as Gorsey, which is a lake monster. And for its crannog, which is the only one of its sort in all of Wales. The latter is a manmade island that located around 40 meters. From the north coast and has a history dating back more than a thousand years.
The Reservoir of Talybont
The Talybont Reservoir, which covers an area of 318 acres and located in the Brecon Beacons. It is the largest stillwater reservoir in the surrounding region. Dam construction began in 1931, and the city of Newport received its first water supply the following decade, in 1939.
A stroll around the lake that is 9.5 kilometers long and takes over three hours to complete is one of the routes that is available. This is the ideal walk whether you want to gaze out over the river or get lost in the woods.
Llyn Brianne Dam
The Llyn Brianne Dam is the largest dam of its sort in Europe. And sits at an elevation of approximately 300 feet above sea level. It also contains more than 64 million cubic meters of water. Making it the largest body of water in South Wales. Because this region of Wales has a low population density. Therefore, you will feel as if you are in the middle of the countryside when you visit the lake. It tucked away in the upper portion of the Tywi Valley. Which located between the counties of Carmarthenshire, Powys, and Ceredigion.
Single-track mountain roads provide an excellent setting for a variety of outdoor activities. It including mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, and even driving. Due to the secluded nature of the place, it is a good location for bird watching, and in 2019. It granted the status of a Dark Sky Discovery Site, making it an ideal location for photographing the night sky.
Brombil Reservoir
The Brombil Reservoir is a lake that has the color of turquoise and hidden away in the valleys of Margam. It surrounded by a colony of evergreen trees and lush flora. Its overall appearance seems to similar to the breathtaking environment of Thailand. And because of its distant location, very few people, not even the locals, are aware that it exists.
The trail to the reservoir located in the middle of a forest and follows phrazle the Arnallt River. Along the way, there are stepping stones. The path leads you either to the reservoir’s banks. Where you may go swimming in the open water, or it leads you on a hike up into the mountains. The second option is somewhat more difficult. But it leads to the most breathtaking panorama of the lake and the steelworks in Newport.
