Conservation near Llyn Gwynant Campsite
Nantgwynant, North Wales

The Nant Gwynant valley, including Hafod Lwyfog farm where Llyn Gwynant Campsite is situated, has recently been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The area has geological interest as part of a glacial valley, and biological interest that comes from the high rainfall of the area, as well as from acidic soils.

According to the SSSI designation: “The Atlantic woodlands of southern Snowdonia form one of the most important areas for woodland nature conservation in Europe”. This is also known as “temperate rainforest” because of the damp, humid climate that supports an abundance of ferns lichens, mosses and liverworts. The Nantgwynant area has one of the highest rainfalls in Snowdonia with over 2 metres of rain falling annually.

Sheep grazing can be a problem in these oak woods. The thin acidic soils and the exposure to wind and rain mean the oaks can often be stunted and gnarled. Sheep can prevent the regeneration of young trees so that the woodland eventually dies out. However light grazing can be beneficial, at least to some organisms such as lower plants and fungi. The acid soils of the area have also been invaded by introduced Rhododendron in the last 40 years. Hafod Lwyfog Farm has been under the Tir Gofal Management Scheme since the year 2001. The scheme is designed to protect, enhance and restore farmed land, and create habitats and landscape features, see our projects page for a summary of some of the key projects undertaken on this farm. We also have an educational resource for schools, About the farm (pdf file).

The conservation effort at Hafod Lwyfog farm began in the 1930's when it was bought by the pioneer in protection, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, more famous perhaps these days as architect of Portmeirion. Clough bought the farm to prevent unsuitable lakeside development, see our short document (pdf file) Clough Williams-Ellis, pioneer.

If you are interested in staying in beautiful countryside and helping with any conservation projects, then please contact us. We have added a section of the contact form where you can indicate interest in our conservations schemes. We may offer weekends camping or staying in our barns, for willing conservation workers if we receive expressions of interest.

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The Nantgwynant valley is formed by ancient glaciers, part of the reason it is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Photo courtesy John Watts.

Bracken is cleared seasonally around newly planted trees.