Lliw Valley Reservoirs

Having visited the lower Lliw reservoir last week during a lunchtime bike ride, I thought it would make an ideal place to take the family on a warm and sunny bank holiday!

For those of you whom aren’t familiar with the area or how to get to the reservoirs, simply leave the M4 at junction 46 and follow the signs for Felindre and the brown Country Park signs.

As soon as you see the Felindre village sign turn right and follow the road until you see the sign to turn left for the Lliw Reservoirs (opposite the Welsh Water buildings/works). Follow this road and you’ll eventually get to the country park at the lower Lliw reservoir. The kids will love the latter part of the journey as the road passed several fields and a farm, complete with sheep, horses, donkeys and chickens!

Lower Lliw Reservoir sign

There are good car parking facilities in the park, as well as toilets and numerous picnic tables. An ice cream van had even pitched up for the day today – thanks to the sunshine I’m sure. There used to be a cafe – with working clock perched on top – but I’m told that the lease for this is now up (see Welsh Water if interested!).

A closed cafe

Also situated in the car park is a bronze sculpture called ‘Emergence’ by Naomi Bunker, a local artist. I’m unsure as to the significance or relevance of this to the area. Does anyone know?

'Emergence' by Naomi Bunker

There are several walks to choose from and cater for everyone – from a short wander around the lower reservoir, a 4 mile route suitable for pushchairs taking in the upper and lower reservoir or an open moorland route of over 10 miles (for the more adventurous and kitted out walker!).

Map of the reservoirs

A view from the lower Lliw dam

lower Lliw reservoir

Given that we had the kids and pushchair in tow, we opted for the 4 mile walk and enjoying both the reservoirs. The two reservoirs offer a distinct difference in environment – the lower set amongst a wooden valley, whilst the upper is in open moorland.

This meant that the walk offered us a great mix of nature and landscape – some of which are hopefully captured in the following photographs.

A wheel friendly path

Alongside the lower Lliw reservoir

Rock formations

Swansea Water Works giant mushroom ;)

This gorse bush had a really strong scent which I can best describe as smelling like coconut oil – and no there weren’t any sunbathers in sight!

Gorse bush

Here a just a couple of the many sheep we encountered whilst heading towards the upper reservoir and latter stages of the walk.

Some local inhabitants

The kids loved being able to get so close to them, not to mention the various streams that were full of tadpoles and pond-skaters. We were even fortunate enough to hear a cuckoo – a sound which I certainly hadn’t heard for quite a few years.

The pump house?

upper Lliw reservoir

The entire walk took us approximately 3 hours but that included several stops, taking pictures and various kiddie carrying debates 🙂

But all in all it’s been a lovely day and one which we all thoroughly enjoyed. So if you’ve not visited the reservoir(s) before, I hope you do as I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

One final tip, if you want a really in-depth walking guide for the Lliw Valley reservoirs, then I’d recommend reading the Glamorgan Walks website.

3 thoughts on “Lliw Valley Reservoirs”

  1. Thanks for the comment Justin – glad you liked the photo’s 🙂

    It’s definitely worth a visit!

  2. Emergence was created to celebrate the millennium, around the base are reliefs showing old Myths and Legends from the Felindre, Garswllt area including Twrch Trwyth who was King Arthur’s son cursed into the form of a wildboar, and also some historical events such as the Rebecca Riots, the attacks on the tollgates in 1839 all over Wales including Garswllt and Felindre. The hermaphrodite figure is emerging from the past into the present and looking forward to the future. Hence the relevance to the millennium.

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