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Wales Online
a day ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Three popular beaches in North Wales where common activity now frowned upon
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Three popular beaches in North Wales have become 'smoke-free zones' to safeguard nature and reduce the risk of wildfires. The initiative is only voluntary, with noticeboards erected at each site asking visitors not to light cigarettes. The beaches – Porth Dafarch and Cemlyn on Anglesey, and Porthor on the Llŷn Peninsula, Gwynedd – are all managed by National Trust Cymru. They were selected for their 'environmental significance' with support from RSPB Cymru. National Trust Cymru hopes smoke-free beaches will help protect wildlife and the coastlines by reducing environmental litter. According to Ash Wales Cymru, cigarette butts are one of the world's most littered items, posing a serious threat to marine environment and wildlife. Over time, said the charity, each butt will break up into microplastics, leaching toxic chemicals including lead, arsenic and formaldehyde into fragile marine ecosystems. It's hoped that by stopping people smoking on beaches, this will also protect young people from second-hand smoke and encourage them not to take up smoking. Backing the initiative - launched today on National Clean Air Day (June 19) - is Sarah Murphy, minister for mental health and wellbeing. She said: 'Our ambition is to create a smoke-free Wales by 2030 and creating more smoke-free spaces is one way to achieve this. "It is important we work together to limit the harmful effects of smoking as well as the associated health and environmental risks to our beautiful landscapes.' Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone In March 2024, Benllech and Trearddur Bay on Anglesey became the first smoke-free beaches in North Wales. This followed similar designations at Caswell Bay, Langland Bay, Port Eynon and Little Haven in South Wales. (Image: John Miller/National Trust) Last year, Spain banned smoking and vaping on beaches and restaurant terraces in an attempt to tackle cigarette butt blight. France has had similar bans since 2011, while stricter anti-smoking measures have been introduced in Italy and Greece. The latest North Wales additions are all renowned for the bird colonies and visitors. Cemlyn, on Anglesey's north coast, is home to an internationally important colony of Sandwich terns. Nesting colonies of Arctic and Common terns are also seen here, and, occasionally, the rarer Roseate tern. With around 1,500 pairs of terns counted in recent years, Cemlyn has the UK's third largest colony, with good water quality key to their prospects. Much of the surrounding coastline is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Porth Dafarch, on Anglesey's Holy Island, has ancient rock formations that host a colony of choughs - the least common member of the crow family and recognised by its red bill and legs. The surrounding sea is home to seals and porpoises. (Image: Paul Harris Photography/National Trust) The beach at Porthor, famous for its 'whistling sands', is a stronghold for all manner of birds, from Choughs to Razorbills, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Cormorants, Shags and Yellowhammers. Other visitors here include seals and dolphins. Dewi Davies, project manager for National Trust Cymru in North Wales, said: 'We work hard to look after these special places. "We are requesting that people who visit these beautiful locations help us to care for them by not smoking and disposing of harmful smoking materials. They could pose a risk to these special habitats and the wildlife that lives in them, or spark a wildfire.' The launch of the latest smoke-free spaces will be celebrated with a beach clean at Porth Dafarch on Thursday, June 19. Involving children from Ysgol Gynradd Kingsland, Holyhead, the event aims to highlight the dangers of cigarette waste on marine life. Smoke-free beaches are a partnership between the National Trust and ASH Wales. They believe there is strong public support for the idea in Wales. A national survey earlier this year showed 56% in favour of a smoking ban on beaches. A local survey in Anglesey showed even stronger support, with 87% in favour. Suzanne Cass, chief executive of ASH Wales, said: 'With 325,000 people in Wales still smoking, we must do everything we can to help them quit while creating a cleaner, healthier environment for all. "Expanding smoke-free outdoor spaces sends a clear message: smoking is not the norm - people, wildlife and the planet come first.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox See what's on in your area
North Wales Live
a day ago
- Health
- North Wales Live
Three popular beaches in North Wales where common activity now frowned upon
Three popular beaches in North Wales have become 'smoke-free zones' to safeguard nature and reduce the risk of wildfires. The initiative is only voluntary, with noticeboards erected at each site asking visitors not to light cigarettes. The beaches – Porth Dafarch and Cemlyn on Anglesey, and Porthor on the Llŷn Peninsula, Gwynedd – are all managed by National Trust Cymru. They were selected for their 'environmental significance' with support from RSPB Cymru. National Trust Cymru hopes smoke-free beaches will help protect wildlife and the coastlines by reducing environmental litter. According to Ash Wales Cymru, cigarette butts are one of the world's most littered items, posing a serious threat to marine environment and wildlife. Over time, said the charity, each butt will break up into microplastics, leaching toxic chemicals including lead, arsenic and formaldehyde into fragile marine ecosystems. It's hoped that by stopping people smoking on beaches, this will also protect young people from second-hand smoke and encourage them not to take up smoking. Backing the initiative - launched today on National Clean Air Day (June 19) - is Sarah Murphy, minister for mental health and wellbeing. She said: 'Our ambition is to create a smoke-free Wales by 2030 and creating more smoke-free spaces is one way to achieve this. "It is important we work together to limit the harmful effects of smoking as well as the associated health and environmental risks to our beautiful landscapes.' Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone In March 2024, Benllech and Trearddur Bay on Anglesey became the first smoke-free beaches in North Wales. This followed similar designations at Caswell Bay, Langland Bay, Port Eynon and Little Haven in South Wales. Last year, Spain banned smoking and vaping on beaches and restaurant terraces in an attempt to tackle cigarette butt blight. France has had similar bans since 2011, while stricter anti-smoking measures have been introduced in Italy and Greece. The latest North Wales additions are all renowned for the bird colonies and visitors. Cemlyn, on Anglesey's north coast, is home to an internationally important colony of Sandwich terns. Nesting colonies of Arctic and Common terns are also seen here, and, occasionally, the rarer Roseate tern. With around 1,500 pairs of terns counted in recent years, Cemlyn has the UK's third largest colony, with good water quality key to their prospects. Much of the surrounding coastline is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Porth Dafarch, on Anglesey's Holy Island, has ancient rock formations that host a colony of choughs - the least common member of the crow family and recognised by its red bill and legs. The surrounding sea is home to seals and porpoises. The beach at Porthor, famous for its 'whistling sands', is a stronghold for all manner of birds, from Choughs to Razorbills, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Cormorants, Shags and Yellowhammers. Other visitors here include seals and dolphins. Dewi Davies, project manager for National Trust Cymru in North Wales, said: 'We work hard to look after these special places. "We are requesting that people who visit these beautiful locations help us to care for them by not smoking and disposing of harmful smoking materials. They could pose a risk to these special habitats and the wildlife that lives in them, or spark a wildfire.' The launch of the latest smoke-free spaces will be celebrated with a beach clean at Porth Dafarch on Thursday, June 19. Involving children from Ysgol Gynradd Kingsland, Holyhead, the event aims to highlight the dangers of cigarette waste on marine life. Smoke-free beaches are a partnership between the National Trust and ASH Wales. They believe there is strong public support for the idea in Wales. A national survey earlier this year showed 56% in favour of a smoking ban on beaches. A local survey in Anglesey showed even stronger support, with 87% in favour. Suzanne Cass, chief executive of ASH Wales, said: 'With 325,000 people in Wales still smoking, we must do everything we can to help them quit while creating a cleaner, healthier environment for all. "Expanding smoke-free outdoor spaces sends a clear message: smoking is not the norm - people, wildlife and the planet come first.'
Wales Online
08-06-2025
- Wales Online
I did this easy Welsh hike and ended up swimming under a huge waterfall
I did this easy Welsh hike and ended up swimming under a huge waterfall These impressive falls lie at the northern tip of Lake Vyrnwy within an RSPB Reserve There's nothing quite like cold water and a dramatic Welsh backdrop to remind you of the incredible natural world and how lucky we are to be a part of it (Image: Portia Jones ) As an avid outdoor swimmer (yes, I am one of those people; yes, I have a dryrobe) I love epic waterfall swims and in Wales we have plenty of swim spots in scenic surroundings. While visiting the hugely-underrated Lake Vyrnwy area in mid Wales I heard rumours about an easy walk to a cascading waterfall not far from the shores of the reservoir. Always keen for a dip I consulted the AllTrails app and found an easy hike to the secluded Rhiwargor Waterfall. Popular with locals these impressive falls lie at the northern tip of Lake Vyrnwy within the RSPB reserve. Although often overlooked in favour of the towering 80m Pistyll Rhaeadr they offer an equally striking spectacle. Pistyll Rhiwargor, with its total drop of 100m, is listed as the seventh-highest in Wales and is sustained by the tributary waters of Afon Eiddew, originating from the Berwyn mountains above Llyn Tegid in Y Bala, before eventually joining the reserves of Llyn Vyrnwy. The picturesque waterfall is part of RSPB Cymru's Llyn Vyrnwy Nature Reserve and you'll find convenient free parking less than a mile off the B4393 offering picnic tables and typically ample room for cars, especially if you visit on a weekday. The picturesque waterfall is part of RSPB Cymru's Llyn Vyrnwy Nature Reserve (Image: Portia Jones ) The 1.5-mile walk to the falls is considered an easy route, taking around 45 minutes to an hour to complete. If you follow the trail on the AllTrails app it will take you along Afon Eiddew to the picturesque Rhiwargor Falls, also known as Pistyll Rhyd-y-meinciau. As it's a hike to the falls you'll need to carry all your outdoor swim gear with you so make sure you have a big backpack and bring plenty of warm layers for after your dip. There are also no facilities here so make sure you have a well-timed loo stop before you set off. The trail begins at the aforementioned car park (Rhiwargor Waterfall Car Park), which is accessible via a scenic drive along the lakeside road. Once you arrive at the car park use a map or a hiking app to navigate the verdant valley floor path to the waterfalls. Hafren Dyfrdwy, which manages the parking site, has spent the last four months carrying out major restoration works after Storm Darragh caused significant damage. They recently announced that the car park has reopened and that Blue Monday Coffee is back selling hot drinks, cakes, and snacks from the Rhiwargor car park each weekend. Tidy. With the promise of sunshine it was an ideal morning for a dip so I convinced my long-suffering husband that, yes, there was yet another waterfall we simply must swim in and hopped in the car. The morning we arrived the weather was unseasonably scorchio with blue skies and warm sunshine – perfect outdoor swim weather. I grabbed my gear and we headed up the trail, passing a meandering stream and gnarly trees. It's a fairly easy trek and I've certainly undertaken more arduous walks to reach waterfalls before. We followed a well-maintained path along the Afon Eiddew River with undulating sections through woodland and along the riverbank towards the sounds of the cascading falls. The morning we arrived the weather was unseasonably scorchio with blue skies and warm sunshine (Image: Portia Jones ) We soon reached the base of the falls, which seemed like a perfect spot for a post-swim picnic. Although we were visiting on a sunny day the area was still quite boggy so we had to carefully navigate the muddy sections on the left-hand side to reach the famous 'private' pools for a swim. It can be a bit of a scramble so you'll definitely want hiking boots to get up the falls and you'll need to watch out for slippery parts. Rather than a sheer drop the waterfall cascades down in a series of staggered stages into the river below with a craggy woodland hugging the falls. It's at these rocky stages that you can find small swimming spots with the roar of the waterfall above you. I soon found us a perfect pool that was deep enough to paddle in with no-one else around despite the glorious weather. I slipped off my boots, wriggled into my swim gear (a childhood spent changing on Welsh beaches fully prepared me for this), and plunged into the bracing waters. I soon found us a perfect pool that was deep enough to paddle in with no-one else around despite the glorious weather (Image: Portia Jones ) As usual the slight shock of wading into chilly water hit me first – a thrilling zing of cold that made me gasp and laugh all at once. But then came that glorious rush of feeling of a connection to nature and my surroundings. The water is also incredibly clear here and I could easily see to the bottom in parts of this refreshing pool. There's something wildly freeing about swimming beneath a waterfall with the roar in your ears and the spray on your face. It's like pressing a giant reset button on all your life's stresses and endless emails. (Will I ever reach inbox zero? Probably not – but who cares when you're floating in crystal-clear waters?) There's something wildly freeing about swimming beneath a waterfall (Image: Portia Jones ) Outdoor swimming always helps clear my head but this scenic waterfall spot takes it to a whole new level. Pure lush. It was incredibly peaceful – I could feel the stress melting away. I know it might sound a bit woo-woo but, honestly, give it a go next time you're feeling frazzled. You might be surprised at how quickly nature sorts you out. Besides the boffins agree. Several studies have shown that the health and wellbeing benefits of taking a cold water plunge include an immune system boost, improved sleep, a better stress response, and increased happiness. Who doesn't want to nap better? For me there's nothing quite like cold water and a dramatic Welsh backdrop to remind you of the incredible natural world and how lucky we are to be a part of it. After a languid swim it was time to head back to the hotel, the fabulous Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa (read my review here), for dinner and a drink on their spectacular outdoor terrace. Located in a 24,000-acre estate on a forested hillside overlooking a dramatic, mountain-ringed lake this swish hotel commands one of the most impressive views of Lake Vyrnwy reservoir and has been wowing visitors since 1890. It's an ideal base for exploring the area and is ideally positioned for panoramic views across the water and an alpine-looking landscape. Perched above the reservoir you're just a short walk or drive from a nature reserve, forested trails, and cascading waterfalls. The view from the hotel (Image: Portia Jones ) So would I recommend a waterfall dip at Pistyll Rhiwargor? In a heartbeat. It's become one of my favourite spots in Wales for a rejuvenating outdoor swim. Just remember to treat this stunning spot with utmost care, take your rubbish home, avoid peak holiday times if possible, and be mindful of others enjoying this beautiful spot (no speakers blasting your terrible music choices, yeah?). Let's keep this spot special for everyone for many years to come. Keen to swim? Here are some of my top tips and safety considerations. Cold water swimming tips Wild swimming can be challenging due to cold water and potentially hazardous terrain (Image: Portia Jones ) Try to always swim with a friend if you can and always let people know where you are going. The What3Words app is really useful for sharing locations in remote areas. Before heading out for an outdoor swimming session check the weather and the approximate water temperature of the location to ensure you are properly prepared. If you're new to outdoor swimming consider a supervised swim session to try swimming in a controlled environment first. Beautiful Llandegfedd Lake (on the border of Monmouth and Torfaen) offers supervised open-water swimming and dipping sessions with lifeguard-trained staff in attendance. Several weekly sessions are held in a designated area for controlled open-water swimming and dipping following accreditation from the Swim Wales SAFE Cymru Accreditation Scheme. Swim kit Having a decent swim kit to stay warm and comfortable in cold waters is also really important. (Image: Portia Jones ) Having a decent swim kit to stay warm and comfortable in cold waters is also really important. The water here can be really cold so ensure you have adequate gear for an outdoor swim and are wearing decent water shoes (so you don't hurt your feet on the rocks). Article continues below If swimming in the autumn or winter dippers should consider items such as a decent winter wetsuit, booties, gloves, and a swim hat to reduce the impact of icy waters. Other essential items include a tow float, warm layers, and a weatherproof changing robe.
Powys County Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Celtic Rainforest Festival set to take place at Elan Valley
The Celtic Rainforest Festival is set to take place at the Elan Valley. Taking place on Saturday, May 31, from 10am to 5pm, the free-to-enter event is for people of all ages to connect with nature. The festival has been set up as part of The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) project, which is managed by Welsh Water and RSPB Cymru. Children will be able to go on woodland trails, while adults can listen to talks from organisations such as LIFE Celtic Rainforest, RSPB Cymru, Elan Valley Trust, Dark Skies, and Radnorshire Wildlife Trust. There will also be a guided walk. Artisans and demonstrators will be showcasing traditional crafts and wild wisdom. This will include Carnog Horses showcasing horse logging, while Our Wild Edges will lead a forest bathing walk blending plant medicine, folklore, and nature-based games. There will also be live blacksmithing by Art Metal, woodworking by Forgeways, wood carving by European Championships silver medallist Kaspians Carvings, and woodturning by the Wood Turning Studio. There will be live music throughout the day from a lineup of local talent. Twice Welsh Music Prize nominee Toby Hay will play, as well as Holly Blackshaw. Raven Kidd, Ben Shearer, and Elan Valley's own ranger Marc Harpham will also be performing. There will also be a craft fair in the visitor centre, and a hog roast and other food items from the café menu will be available. For an added adventure, step inside one of Elan's most iconic landmarks during Dam Open Days on Tuesday, May 27, July 29, and August 5, 12, 19, and 26. Go on a self-guided tour inside the Pen y Garreg Dam, climb to the top of the central tower, and enjoy views. A knowledgeable ranger will be on hand to answer questions about the dam's history and engineering. Advance booking is recommended online or from the visitor centre shop. To book online, visit
South Wales Argus
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Birdsong celebrated at Newport Wetlands National Reserve
The event will be held at Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve on Sunday, May 4, from 5am to 8am. This is part of the International Dawn Chorus Day celebrations. RSPB Cymru has invited people to join the event and listen to the stunning symphony of birdsong as the sun rises. The spectacle will feature not just garden birds, but also star species such as the Bittern and the Cuckoo. An RSPB Cymru spokesperson said: "As the sun rises, why not join us for a very special wildlife experience to hear the magical Dawn Chorus at Newport Wetlands. "This spectacle of sound will include not only the more familiar garden birds but also some of our star species. "Listen out for a booming Bittern or calling Cuckoo and hear the difference between a Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting… it is well worth the early start." The event offers an opportunity to visit the reserve before it opens to the public and soak up the sound of spring birdsong. Guides will be on hand to help with spotting wildlife along this exclusive walk. Tickets for the event are priced at £13 for RSPB members and £16 for non-members. For more information or to book tickets, visit the RSPB website.
