ON SATURDAY, 25th May, 10am – 6pm Elan Valley will be host a Celtic Rainforest Festival, organised by Dwr Cymru and supported by The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) scheme and delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the Welsh Government. Experience a blend of music, nature, demonstrations, and activities in the enchanting setting of the woodland at this free to enter event.
Learn about the ancient woodland and gain valuable insight into the work that is currently being implemented to preserve the important habitats of the Celtic Rainforests at Elan Valley. Partner organisations will be present to talk about their work, these include the Celtic Rainforest LIFE Project, RSPB Cymru, Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, and Tir Coed. Natur Am Byth will be bringing along microscopes, hand lenses, guides, and a variety of common lichens and bryophytes for people to touch and look at under magnification. The Elan Valley Trust will be on hand to answer your questions and ignite your passion for the night sky. Learn all about the International Dark Sky Park status of the Elan Valley Estate, achieved in 2015; the first privately owned but publicly accessible park in the world!
Discover the ancient art of Shinrin Yoku, or ‘Forest Bathing’, with guide Becky. Slow down, leave your busy mind and fully immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the woodland. Join local botanist Ray Woods for a guided walk through our Celtic Rainforests. Learn about the fungi, lichen, mosses, and other organisms that make these habitats unique.
Indulge your senses with delicious food and explore the craft fair featuring handmade treasures. From textiles to sweets, jewellery to home décor.
Live music will be playing throughout the day, featuring a diverse range of talented local musicians. Twice Welsh Music Prize nominee Toby Hay will bring his captivating sound, along with the soulful vocals of Holly Blackshaw. Blues sensation Will Griff, from Llanidloes will be performing at just 15 years old! Kidd Raven’s eclectic mix of country, folk, rock, and blues will keep your toes tapping, and local musician Ben Shearer rounds out the line-up with his unique sound.
Witness traditional crafts first-hand and learn about the history and techniques behind them. Our traditional woodland demonstrations will take place throughout the day, located around the visitor centre and along the Cnwch Woods walking trail. For more information on the trail: https://elan-valley.co.uk/walking-route-cnwch-woods-blue-route/
Barbara Haddrill and her beautiful working horses, Molly and Bluebell, will be showcasing their skills in land management. From horse-logging to sustainable practices, Barbara and her equine partners have a wealth of knowledge to share. Embrace the opportunity to learn, engage, and be inspired by the harmony between humans, horses, and nature. Blacksmith Adam Art will be demonstrating the age-old skill of blacksmithing, Roy Williams from The Wood Turning Studio will showcase the art of woodturning, shaping wood into unique pieces. Nic Luxton will be demonstrating the intricate art of willow basket making, weaving natural materials into functional and decorative baskets.
For more details, visit https://elan-valley.co.uk/events/celtic-rainforest-festival/. The Visitor Centre will be open 9am – 5pm along with the café, for drinks and snacks along with the gift shop with locally made crafts and produce.
