Rhayader
Rhaeadr Gwy
Gateway to the Elan Valley and its red kites.
Photo: Derek Voller / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rhayader is a small market town on the upper Wye and the gateway to the Elan Valley, a chain of Victorian dams and reservoirs set in remote moorland. The surrounding hills hold one of the great British wildlife success stories — the red kite, brought back from near-extinction here.
Staying near Rhayader
The base for the Elan Valley and its Dark Sky Park, and for genuine mid-Wales emptiness. Well-placed for walkers, cyclists and stargazers.
What's here
The Elan Valley dams and their visitor centre; the red kite feeding station at Gigrin Farm; the traffic-free Elan Valley Trail for cycling; and dark-sky stargazing over the reservoirs.
When to visit
Spring to autumn for the valley and cycling; autumn and winter for the darkest skies. The kite feeding happens daily, year-round.
See what's available in Rhayader
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Common questions
What is the Elan Valley known for?
The Elan Valley is known for its chain of Victorian dams and reservoirs, built to supply Birmingham with water, set in remote moorland. It is also an International Dark Sky Park with excellent stargazing, and a stronghold for red kites and other upland wildlife.
Where can you see red kites near Rhayader?
Gigrin Farm, just outside Rhayader, runs a daily red kite feeding station where large numbers of kites gather — often over a hundred. The wider Elan Valley and surrounding hills are also among the best places in Britain to see red kites in the wild.