Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre — Attraction in Cerrigydrudion

Profoundly disappointing.

Zillions of wardens all dressed in black with black life-vests, looking like bulletproof vests, have turned a beautiful lake and vista into Blackpool in Wales.

Having recently visited the almost adjacent Llyn Alwen Reservoir, the contrast is startling. There the lakeside is totally accessible, families' picnic freely on the shore, wonderful uninhibited cycle trails, simple pay and display car parking. Here CCTV photographs all cars in order to ensure payment - but thoughtlessly violating privacy. I was told it is a security measure, what if your car was stolen? Not the first thought in my mind, but oddly the first thought in his. Doesn't fill you with confidence in an unattended car park. Curiously they only take a photo of the registration plate and bonnet. Not who is stealing it! Evidence enough that they simply use this big-brother measure to ensure they wring the cash from you!

Here there is a Visitors Centre! I would suggest its a place for wardens to loaf and wring more money from people. Is it a building built in sympathy with its surroundings? Is this Visitors Centre built to inform and educate? Is it an asset to Llyn Brenig? Well simply put No, No and No.

So there you have it, another unnecessary blot on the landscape, staffed by unnecessary people, all created to milk the unwary visitor....

How was Llyn Brenig? Today, being a blooming hot, good friday, CRAMMED! Have been before, several times from school years, and beyond, and never tire of the place. The parking areas immediately around the visitor centre are pay and display, usually £2, and there are disability parking areas. There are also parking areas around the lake, with picnic benches. These are free areas. The visitor centre displays a history of the area, a well run cafe, selling good, clean, and inexpensive food, and drink. Lakeside of the centre, you can hire push bikes for those of you who wish to hit the trails around the lake. Dogs are advised, in certain areas, to keep their humans on leads in certain areas, land nesting birds, and sheep can be found in certain parts, although they can be let off here and there, for a stroll, and a paddle! This is a beautiful area, outstanding views of the Snowdonia ranges, well managed woodlands, which house a huge amount of wildlife. If you are licensed, fishing is allowed here, whether it be onshore, or by hire boat. It is very easy to lose yourself here, and friends of ours, quite literally did so. An area of outstanding Welsh beauty, and right on my doorstep, give, or take...

I’ve been a regular visitor to Llyn Brenig for many years as a keen mountain biker, walker and also recreationally with my children. We visited a few weeks ago to walk our dog, upon arriving we thought we’d use the opportunity to grab a delicious sandwich, juice & crisps each . There was a very long queue that didn’t seem to be moving very fast ( only 1 till being well operated by a young lady ) We selected our goods ( very limited selection ) and finally paid, the cost was extortionate for 3 sandwiches, 3 crisps & some juice We then realised we’d dropped our dog poo bags in the car park, we couldn’t find them unfortunately so thought we’d ask if we could buy some on site , the shop didn’t have any but the guy in the hire shop gave us a carrier bag, although helpful it definitely wasn’t ideal, we begged a few from fellow dog owners thankfully. We continued our walk and when we reached a picnic bench we unpacked our well deserved expensive tasty treats . The outside slice of all the sandwiches was stale on all 3 of our sandwiches, this was most disappointing Our walk was a delight but I feel the services and customer care could certainly be...