Llyn Celyn Monastery
Reservoir created by controversial 1960s village flooding
Llyn Celyn is a reservoir in north Wales, known for floodings that submerged Capel Celyn; visitors walk the shoreline, fish and study local history.
Llyn Celyn at a Glance#
About Llyn Celyn#
Llyn Celyn is a man-made reservoir in north Wales formed by damming the Tryweryn valley in the 1960s. Its creation is historically significant for the controversial flooding of the Welsh-speaking village of Capel Celyn.
Visitors can view the reservoir from public vantage points beside the dam and along surrounding minor roads; the site is used for water regulation and limited recreation. The landscape is open moorland and upland valley typical of the area.
The valley was flooded in the 1960s to create the reservoir, permanently submerging the village of Capel Celyn, an event that prompted sustained political debate in Wales and remains an important element of modern Welsh history.
Llyn Celyn lies in the Tryweryn valley in north Wales and is within the administrative area of Wales. The reservoir is set in a rural upland landscape and is reached by local roads.
- Historic controversy: The reservoir’s creation by flooding the village of Capel Celyn in the 1960s became a focal point for Welsh political activism and cultural debate.
- Use and viewpoints: Used for regional water supply and river flow regulation; the roadside viewpoints near the dam are the primary public viewing points.
What to See#
- Dam and spillway: The concrete dam and spillway that impounded the Tryweryn valley to create the reservoir and control water flow for downstream supply.
- Site of Capel Celyn: The drowned village site of Capel Celyn which was flooded to form the reservoir and remains a focal point in commemorations and local history.
How to Get to Llyn Celyn#
Llyn Celyn is accessed from Bala or Pentrefoelas via the A494 and local B-roads; the reservoir lies about 10-15 minutes’ drive from Bala town. Parking is available at designated viewpoints and small car parks along the shore.
Tips for Visiting Llyn Celyn#
- If exploring the old submerged village shoreline, do so from the official roadside viewpoints to respect property boundaries.
- Sunset makes the reservoir's treeline and drowned trees particularly photogenic.
- Combine a visit with nearby Bala and the Dee Valley to understand the larger context of the 1960s flooding.
Best Time to Visit Llyn Celyn#
Spring and autumn for the best light and quieter visits; avoid heavy winter storms which limit access.
Weather & Climate near Llyn Celyn#
Llyn Celyn's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 0°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1381 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 142 mm | overcast | 94% | 5.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.1h |
| February | Poor | 0° - 6° | -2° | 104 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.7h |
| March | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 122 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.0 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 2° - 10° | 3° | 88 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 5° - 14° | 7° | 78 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.2 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.5h |
| June | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 89 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.5h |
| July | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 87 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.0h |
| August | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 105 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.5 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.5h |
| September | Good | 8° - 15° | 12° | 117 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.6 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 6° - 12° | 6° | 138 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Poor | 3° - 9° | 2° | 158 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.6h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 153 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.5h |
