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About the Area

A CENTURY ago the Vyrnwy Valley looked very different: The Corporation of Liverpool began work on the huge masonry dam in 1881 to create a new fresh water supply for their city. Apart from land for the lake, they purchased the surrounding 24,000 acre catchment area to control the purity of the water, and this enabled them to enhance the great scenic beauty of the area. This colossal project even involved relocating the former village of Llanwddyn.

The lake took two years to fill and the water first flowed to Liverpool in 1891. An official ceremony in 1910 conducted by HRH the Prince of Wales marked the completion of the works.

Sunset over the lake

Accommodation was required for many of the sightseers, engineers and dignitaries who came to see what was then the largest dam in Europe, so the hotel was built to accommodate the City Fathers of Liverpool so that they may enjoy their newly created sporting estate. Located 900 feet above sea level, it is made from locally quarried stone. Sporting activities were also introduced, with shooting, fishing, walking and birdwatching. The lake was stocked in 1889 with 400,000 Loch Leven trout, and the first official day of fishing was in March 1891. All sporting continues to this day.

The dramatically contrasting landscape of Snowdonia - craggy mountains, wild moorland, forests, spectacular waterfalls - all combine to create a bewitching backdrop to Lake Vyrnwy itself.

Wildlife abounds, with 16,000 acres being a dedicated RSPB reserve, Lake Vyrnwy is a country lover's paradise where peace and tranquility abounds.
the hills
A panoramic view of Lake Vyrnwy taken from the top of the dam. The water is mirror smooth and reflects the tower, boathouse, hills and woodlands in an almost perfect image.