Dolygaer

Located in the south of the Brecon Beacons, this stunning landscape amongst the rolling hills frames both Pen-twyn (Dol-y-gaer) and Taf Fechan (Pontsticill) Reservoirs.

It’s steeped in history with an Iron Age hillfort and Bronze Age barrow amongst just some of the sites still visible in the landscape.

There was once a working station (1863 – 1964) serving the hamlet of Dol-y-gaer which is now part of Plas Dolygaer Scouts Centre and Campsite, next door to Parkwood Dolyager Activity Centre adjacent to the Taff Trail (NCN Route 8).

Today, breathing in the magnificent views and stillness of the waters makes it hard to envisage the scene captured by this article the Cardiff Times dated 3 July 1869. (Courtesy of https://www.merthyr-history.com)

The Merthyr Tydfil Boating Club regatta came off at Dolygaer Lake on Thursday, last week. The weather was very auspicious, it being bright, sunny, and warm, and convenient arrangements having been made for the running of trains on the Brecon and Merthyr Railway, there was a vast concourse of people at the lake early in the day. Trains were also run from Brecon, Cardiff, and Newport, and altogether it was calculated that there were about 8000 present.

To read a much fuller account of the Annual Regatta at Pentwyn Reservoir from the Merthyr Telegraph June 1866 please follow the link. https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3074188/3074190

Dol-y-gaer - Dol can mean meadow/field/low laying area by the river. Caer means fort/castle.

Reservoir Passport Scheme

Reservoir Passport Scheme

Access to selected Reservoirs of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

SWOAPG, working closely with BBNPA and DCWW, have developed a scheme that allows access to four reservoirs in the national park (Pontsticill, Pentwyn, Beacons and Usk) for Providers delivering Canoeing, Kayaking and SUP to Groups.

Passports run from 1st April – 31st March

The cost of an annual Passport is ONLY £150 per year per organisation, or £190 for 2 passports issued to one organisation (These are not transferable between centres).

There is also the option to purchase 7 day passports which can be purchased for £70. You must register for the scheme and then notify BBNPA each time you are planning to use the sites so the total of days used can be administered correctly.

How to apply – full details can be found online or in the Passport Packs, available from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority (Reservoir Passport), Plas y Ffynnon, Cambrian Way, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7HP.