Llyn Llech Owain Country Park

With my 5 mile Monday run out of the way by 11am this morning, we thought we’d make the most of the remainder of the Bank Holiday weekend and head off to a local country park.

It had been many years since I had been to Llyn Llech Owain Country Park and I was keen to show it off to the rest of the family whom had never had the pleasure of seeing it previously.

Map of Llyn Llech Owain Country Park

Llyn Llech Owain is situated in the village of Gorlas, near to Cross Hands in Carmarthenshire and is easily accessible from the nearby A48. Here’s a link to the park on Google maps.

The park is essentially a peat bog, lake and woodland reserve of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and has a wide range of interesting wildlife in its different habitats.

A view across the lake

A modest £2 all day parking fee applies and there is a visitor centre, café, childrens play area – one for toddlers and one for the older kids.

There are numerous picnic spots dotted around for you to enjoy the different scenery on offer – whether it be the lake, nearby woodland, foresty or even the distant views of Pembrokshire’s Preseli mountains.

The choice of several different walks around the lake and surrounding woodland making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and especially families with children.

Access to the walks is pretty good with the lake being circled by a boardwalk and the other paths suitable to pushchairs – with a wee bit of effort.

A well positioned bird watching hut – with views over the lake – will be a favourite with both ornithologists and part time birdwatchers. It also provides a tranquil spot in which to fully enjoy nature’s beauty.

Birdwatching Hut

There is also a man-made bog pool in the park, which was created in order to provide a rich habitant for the various insects and amphibians which live in and around the lake.

The kids were drawn to the visitor centre (shame it was closed) or the mini tower as DDWT Junior refered to it!

They also liked the Welsh water pumphouse which meant they could get an even better view of the lilly pads on the lake – we didn’t see any frogs though unfortunately.

The visitor centre

Welsh Water Pumphouse

Several of the boardwalks have sections which border the lake’s edge thus allowing you to scrutinise the water for sign of wildlife.

At one of these sections, we were fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of dozens of tadpoles merrily swimming around just inches away.

The lake complete with lilly pads

We probably spent the best part of 2 hours wandering around the park and I’ve no doubt that we’d have been there longer if it wasn’t for tiny feet and tummys starting to ache and rumble.

I’m sure that visiting the park on a Summer’s evening with the sun setting – or even sunrise perhaps – would provide an even greater insight into the full range of birds, insects and other wildlife in their natural habitat.

So if you’re stumped for something relaxing to do one weekend afternoon or even weekday evening – then head off the Llyn Llech Owain Country Park, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.