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Please take note that access and use
of the following reservoirs may change and that you should verify the
following details with Glas Cymru
prior to visit in any of the following reservoirs.
Beacons Reservoir
Located at 1400 feet above sea level
and covering an area of 52 acres this reservoir is easily accessed from
the main Merthyr Tydfil to Brecon A470 trunk road located where the
Aberdare - Penderyn - Brecon road joins the A470. the top end of the
reservoir ends less than one mile from the Storey Arms adventure centre
and public car park. The archaeological remains of long houses are
located at the top end of the reservoir. for most of the year this
failure is either covered in water or inaccessible because of the danger
from surrounding deep mud.
A wide variety of common bird life may
be spotted here but there are no specific facilities for bird watchers.
Osprey have been known to visit this reservoir in spring and autumn. The
Taf Trail
long-distance footpath and cycleway passes close to the western edge of
the reservoir boundary.
Pentwyn or Dol-y-Gaer reservoir is situated at 750 feet
above sea level and covers an area of 96 acres. Limited free public
car parking is available in a nearby lay-by or on the side of the road that
separates Dol-y-Gaer reservoir Pontsticill reservoir. additional car
parking can be found just above the reservoir on the minor road to
Talybont on Usk. There are also picnic facilities at this car
park. Visitors should beware of believing their car and possessions
unattended in this locality as vandals and thieves are active. The
road that separates the two reservoirs offers truly spectacular views of
Pontsticill Reservoir to the south and of the Pen y Fan and Corn Ddu
escarpment to the North. An easily reached photographic viewpoint.
the northern end of the reservoir is a conservation area and frequented by
wildfowl and migrating birds including mallard, teal tufted ducks and
heron. Dol-y-Gaer outdoor pursuits
centre is located nearby. The Brecon mountain railway travels a route
overlooking this and positive reservoir on its way to Torpantau.
Pontsticill reservoir is located at 1000 feet above sea
level and covers an area of 253 acres. It is the home of Merthyr
Tydfil sailing club. the route of the Taff Trail long-distance
footpath and cycleway passes through the forestry located overlooking the
western side of the reservoir. The Brecon
Mountain Railway travels close to the eastern boundary of the
reservoir offering very fine views. Dol-y-Gaer
outdoor pursuits centre uses Pontsticill the reservoir for sailing and
canoe courses. sub aqua diving may be permitted during the winter by prior
arrangement in designated areas. Contact Llandegfedd Reservoir
01495-769281.
When the reservoir was flooded in the 1920s several
farms, the original Taf Fechan church, and Bethlehem Chapel were flooded.
when the water level of the reservoir is very low the lower walls and
foundations of some of these buildings may become visible notably in the
arched entrance to Bethlehem Chapel. The replacement for the church is now
a private home and is located half a mile from the reservoir on the minor
road to Talybont on Usk. The replacement Bethlehem Chapel is also a
private home and is located opposite the Butcher's Arms public house in
the village of Pontsticill. |
