Cambrian Mountains named 'Area of Astounding Natural Beauty'

The Cambrian Mountains have been named an ‘Area of Astounding Natural Beauty’ in the first ever brand guidelines for the increasingly popular destination.

Half of the Cambrian Mountains is within Powys and includes Hafren Forest and Llyn Clywedog, near Llanidloes and the Elan Valley, near Rhayader.

The Elan Valley. Pictures by Jonathan Rudd.

The Clywedog Dragon. Picture by Jonathan Rudd.

Dafydd Wyn Morgan, Cambrian Mountains Initiative project manager, said: "We hope that February 28 will continue to be Cambrian Mountains Day and remain in your calendar as a day to raise the profile of the Cambrian Mountains of Wales annually."

Known as Enaid Mynyddoedd Cambrian (The Spirit of the Cambrian Mountains), the brand guide published by the Cambrian Mountains Initiative is based on a bottom-up approach to community regeneration.

Dyfodol Cambrian Futures, the Cambrian Mountains Initiative’s flagship project since 2017, has engaged far and wide via roadshows and drop-in events, meeting community members and businesses at local events and representing the destination on various forums.

Based on this engagement, the project has made the most of this depth of understanding, as well as discussions with regional and national partners, to present an innovative and vibrant guide for all to use.

Basing itself on the principles of regenerative tourism, the Spirit Guide highlights the importance of local interaction to ensure that tourism is good for local communities and visitors.

Some of the producers who attended the inaugural Cambrian Mountains Food, Drink and Craft Fair. Pic Dafydd Wyn Morgan

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Area of Astounding Natural Beauty, which is not an official landscape designation, has been adopted as an effective and attractive way to describe the Cambrian Mountains of Wales.

The Cambrian Mountains is a place where everyone can get closer to nature by day and feel closer to the stars by night and where wild and wonderful landscapes, with open spaces and welcoming places, are waiting to be discovered.

Dafydd added: “Our recent engagement with Cambrian Mountains communities has been vital in the success of the Dyfodol Cambrian Futures project.

“If you’ve spent as long as I have in this amazing part of Wales, you’ll understand how astounding it is, both by day and by night. The Cambrian Mountains are special because they make you feel special.”

The project is funded by the Welsh Government’s Rural Development Programme, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, Ceredigion County Council, Powys County Council and Carmarthenshire County Council.

It also receives support from the Cefn Croes Windfarm Community Trust, Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm Community Fund, Aberystwyth University and the Elan Valley Trust.