The rivers of beautiful Wales are as varied as they are numerous. From small streams trickling down hillsides to powerful watercourses that over centuries have gouged out valleys and tunnelled through rock. From the small River Gwynant in Snowdonia to the mighty River Severn, that flows through four different counties and is the longest river in the UK at 220 miles long.

Today we’re taking a closer look at some of the finest rivers in Wales, because there’s nothing quite like an amble along a riverside. Usually havens for nature and expanses of tranquillity, the rivers of Wales are celebrated, and there are often hidden depths to their watery history; their unique power being drawn upon for industry, commerce and leisure. Come with us as we go on three lovely riverside rambles.

Clywedog

From its source in the hills of Pumlumon just west of Aberystwyth, the Afon Clywedog runs westwards for 18 miles where it eventually meets the mighty River Severn in the border town of Llanidloes.

This small Welsh river has an essential function for the residents of Birmingham and the Midlands, because in 1967 it was dammed to create the Clywedog Reservoir, which helps to provide drinking water at times when the water flow from the River Severn is low. The reservoir usually fills up in the winter when rainfall is heavy, and water is then released during the dryer summer months to provide a continuous supply of water.

The dam took four years to build, but at a huge 72 metres (236 feet) high and 230 metres (755 feet) long, it is the tallest concrete dam in the UK. When it’s full, the dam holds 50,000 mega litres of water (one mega litre is equal to a million litres!), just enough to help provide homes and businesses across the Midlands with clean and fresh Welsh drinking water.

Conwy Calling

The River Conwy runs right through the town of Betws y Coed and is joined here by two other rivers – the Lledr and the Llugwy.

The River Conwy rises in the marshy, moorland slopes of Migneint, high above the Ffestiniog Valley, from the largest lake in the area, LLyn Conwy. The river then flows north for almost thirty miles, through Betws-y-Coed, Llanrwst and Dolgarrog before it spills its contents into the sea at Conwy.

Over thousands of years, the persistent power of the river has carved through the stones and rocks of Snowdonia to hollow out the wide Conwy Valley. The entire area is rich in wildlife and history, with evidence of human occupation dating as far back as the Stone Age, some 4 or 5,000 years ago. The Romans marched here during their invasion of Britain, and stayed here until about 400AD, and two of the oldest churches in Wales are found in this beautiful valley – at Llangelynnin (12^th century) and Llanrhychwyn (11^th century).

Today, the Conwy Valley is considered to be one of the most beautiful in north Wales, with its rambling rivers, acres of forest and far-reaching views across Snowdonia and beyond. But, don’t take our word for it. Why not try one of our riverside walks this month and discover some of our border region’s most beautiful and all natural water features.

Conwy Estuary