At a glance
Open
10am–5.30pm, weekends and school holidays
Canoe
£20 an hour
Kayak or SUP
£15 an hour
Pay
Bring cash — signal is poor
Nestled in the Berwyn Mountains is Lake Vyrnwy — hidden amongst the trees and surrounded by idyllic countryside and rolling hills. From hiking and bird watching to cycling and canoeing, there’s something for everyone on this 24,000-acre estate.
Some of my earliest and happiest childhood memories are here, and one thing I’d always wanted to do was get out on the water. Last year, everything fell into place.
Out on the water
We didn’t book — we just turned up, paid, and set sail after a quick safety brief. We’re both used to kayaking, so we felt comfortable even when the water got a bit choppy towards the middle.
We headed straight for the straining tower. It’s more impressive from the water, where you see details you’d otherwise miss — though there’s a safety zone around the tower and dam, as it’s an active reservoir. The loop to the tower, the dam and back took a full hour; anything over two would be a more leisurely pace.
Boat hire prices
Open canoe · up to 3 adults
£20 an hour
Up to 3 hours £40, all day £50 — easy to split between friends.
Single kayak
£15 an hour
Up to 3 hours £30, all day £40, for a bit of independence on the water.
Stand-up paddleboard
£15 an hour
Up to 3 hours £30, all day £40. Wetsuits can be hired for cooler months.
Your own boat
£5 for the day
Launch from the boathouse slipway — only when a safety boat is on the water.
Good to know
Before you go
- Season Usually April to October, weather permitting. Last hire is at 4.30pm.
- Booking We just turned up — but it gets busy with families in the summer.
- Cash The card machine is very intermittent, so bring cash — and a bit extra in case you run over.
- More on the water Windsurfing and sailing are on offer for beginners and experienced sailors.
What to pack
Safety
Buoyancy aid
Provided with hire, but worth your own if you paddle often.
Photos
Waterproof phone case
For photos of the tower without the worry.
Kit
Dry bag
Keeps a spare layer, snacks and car keys dry.
Weather
Poncho
Welsh weather changes quickly out on the lake.
Afterwards
Changing robe
For warming up by the slipway afterwards.
Just in case
First-aid kit
A small one lives in the dry bag.
Other things to do
01
Afternoon tea at the hotel
Overlooking the lake you were just on.
02
Hike to Rhiwargor
An impressive waterfall at the far end of the lake.
03
Cycle the 13-mile loop
Bikes can be hired from the cafe.
04
Bird watching
From the hides dotted around the lake.
05
The sculpture trail
A circular route by the dam, including a sculpture carved from the UK’s tallest Douglas fir.
06
Ice cream at the cafe
Right by the car park.
On the map
Lake Vyrnwy, Powys
Parking
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Toilets
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Food
Artisan’s Cafe or Lake Vyrnwy Hotel
Nearby
Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall, a short drive
