Power Station Visitor Centre
Enjoy displays and exhibitions explaining the scheme, along with free guided tours of the power station and its fish farm. It is open from 1st May to 30th Sept. There are interactive models for those who want to learn about renewable energy as well as a café for refuelling yourselves!
Fishing
The reservoirs are stocked with varieties of trout. Upstream of the power station a ‘fish ladder’ was cut into the rock to bypass the Rheidol Falls and thus opened up new spawning grounds to the fish.
By the dam is a lovely picnic area, and a small purpose built garden overlooking the salmon tunnel, which is a great place just to sit and enjoy the sound of the falling water. The falls at the little Cwm Felin Reservoir near to the visitor centre are floodlit at night until late evening.
Other Entertainment
Also in the hills near Ponterwyd is the Llywernog Silver-Lead Mine, which offers deep underground tours and a family-friendly insight into the area’s history of mining.
There is the Magic of Life Butterfly House right next to the Power Station Visitor Centre. There are at least 30 different species of tropical butterflies in the house at any one time and visitors can also see insects, bugs and giant caterpillars. Both the garden and house contain beautiful and exotic plants such as passion flowers and Bird of Paradise.
Look out for birds in the valley such as Red Breasted Merganser which is known to breed on the Rheidol (see photo) and many freshwater and woodland birds.
Getting Around
As outlined in the Aberystwyth section of this guide, one of the best ways of seeing this valley is by taking a train on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, fitting in a walk around the glorious falls at Devil’s Bridge.
From Aberystwyth, a 17 mile cycle trail leads you as far as Devil’s Bridge – mostly along quiet back roads and dedicated cycle routes. It’s not a challenging ride, but there is a steep ascent at the end as you approach the bridge. You can avoid this by taking the alternative ending to the route, leading to the old Rheidol mines.
Our favourite things to do in The Rheidol Valley
- take a ride on the steam train through the splendid scenery
- walk around the waterfalls at Devil’s Bridge
- have a day out in the open countryside around the reservoirs
Explore nearby areas:
- Lampeter
- Tregaron
- See more in the Cambrian Mountains
