The National Park Of Eryri (Snowdonia)
One of Britain's breathing spaces...
A place for peace and tranquillity within a diverse, historic and vibrant landscape
Situated on the west coast of Britain, covering 823 square miles of diverse landscapes, Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) is a living, working area, and is home to over 26,000 people. As well as being the largest National Park in Wales, Eryri (Snowdonia) boasts the highest mountain in England and Wales.
Key activities
Biking , Activity
The Park's rugged and mountainous landscape makes it a perfect place for both mountain and road biking.
Stargazing , Activity
The Park was designated an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2015, making it a truly unique place for stargazing.
Indulging in History , Activity
From prehistoric stone monuments to medieval castles and abbeys, Eryri's (Snowdonia's) landscape is a wealth of history and heritage.
Special qualities
9 reasons why Eryri (Snowdonia) is a special place
Community – Eryri’s (Snowdonia’s) communities are scattered over five towns and twenty-four villages each with a strong identity that is deeply felt by its inhabitants and visitors.
The Welsh language – The vibrancy of the Welsh language in Eryri (Snowdonia) is one of its defining factors. It is evident in the names given to places and wildlife. The language is the mother tongue of the majority of the Park’s communities.
Landscapes – Eryri (Snowdonia) features nine mountain ranges, fifteen peaks above 3000 feet, twenty-three miles of sweeping coastline and 3000mm of rainfall per year – all within 823 square miles.
Inspiration for the arts – Eryri (Snowdonia) is a place which has inspired some of the nation’s most notable culture, folklore, art, literature and music; an influence which continues across all creative pursuits to the present day.
Tranquillity and solitude – Tranquillity still prevails in many parts of Eryri (Snowdonia), both during the day, in its large, remote and rugged mountain ranges; and at night, when the vast, awe-inspiring dark skies are revealed.
Recreation opportunities – Eryri (Snowdonia) is great for adventure and exploring. It has endless opportunities to be active and learn new skills. Everest teams use Eryri to practice their climbing skills.
Historic landscapes – Eryri (Snowdonia) is a backdrop to a rich history and heritage. From stone monuments to medieval castles, the landscape is teeming with history and tradition ready for you to explore.
Renowned geology – It might be hard to believe, but, 500 million years ago Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) was submerged in seawater. Shell fossils have been found at its summit giving us a better understanding of how the landscape of Eryri (Snowdonia) was formed.
Internationally important species and habitats – Eryri (Snowdonia) is home to numerous species of animals, insects, plants and fungi of international importance. Among the rarest of species is Lili’r Wyddfa (Snowdon Lily) – a plant found only at the highest peaks.
Did you know?
Enjoying Eryri (Snowdonia)
Eryri’s (Snowdonia’s) landscape is unique. The nine mountain ranges cover approximately 52% of the Park and include many peaks that are over 3,000 feet (915m). Apart from the beauty and charm of its high mountains, Eryri (Snowdonia) is a delightfully varied landscape of steep river gorges, waterfalls and green valleys. Oak, ash, rowan and hazel woodlands are found scattered throughout the Park whilst the beautiful Dyfi, Mawddach and Dwyryd estuaries contribute to the overall diversity of the landscape.
Getting around
Bus services are the best way to experience Eryri (Snowdonia). The Sherpa’r Wyddfa shuttle service circles the base of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) – a great way to access the peak’s footpaths and its surrounding communities. You could also try your hand at cycling the many routes that run through the Park.
For a more unique travel method, try the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Narrow Gauge Railways.
Getting there
Aim for Llandudno or Shrewsbury if travelling by train. From here, inland services such as the Conwy Valley Line and the Cambrian Line can take you all across the Park.
If travelling by car, aim towards the A55 from the North and the M54 from the South.
💭You might have heard of biodiversity, but what does it actually mean?
It’s the variety of life around us from plants and insects in a meadow to birds, mammals, fungi and the tiny organisms we can’t even see.
But it’s not just a list of species - it’s the intricate web of relationships between them, and our National Parks are home to an incredible diversity of life.
Protecting biodiversity means protecting that web of life.
📸 An adder in @southdownsnp by Simon Watkins.🐍
#Biodiversity #NatureLovers
Could spending more time among trees be good for us?🌳
Research into forests suggests natural compounds called phytoncides could promote a sense of wellbeing and that time spent in woodlands can help decrease feelings of stress and anxiety.
Forest bathing is the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku - which translates as ‘forest bath.’ It’s all about immersing ourselves in nature. Not to get steps in. Not to reach anywhere. Just to feel, be still and be present.
And our National Parks can certainly help. From pine forests and wooded valleys to ancient trees. Our parks are helping people to slow down and reconnect with the natural world every day.
Have you ever tried forest bathing? Tell us below👇
1. Stanmer Woods - @southdownsnp
2. Whinlatter Forest - @lakedistrictnpa
3. Cairngorms National Park @cairngormsnationalpark
4. North York Moors National Park @northyorkmoors
#Mindfulness #ForestBathing #Wellbeing #NationalParks
Has the rain reached you yet? 🌧️
A change in the weather is making its way across our National Parks. And with it comes a different rhythm to the landscape - changing how our surroundings look, sound and feel.
The sound of rain. The smell of wet earth. The air feeling fresher. Wildlife finding shelter.
What do you notice most when the rain arrives?
#RainyDay #BritishWeather #NationalParksUK
They may look like windmills, but in The Broads National Park, they are actually windpumps.
Rather than grinding flour, they were built to pump water from the marshes, helping to drain the land for agriculture and grazing.
Today, these distinctive structures are part of what makes the Broads landscape so recognisable.
And while this is a story from the Broads, it’s one that can be found across all 15 of our National Parks - landscapes shaped by people finding ways to adapt to live and work within their landscape. Something which still remains the case today.
Did you know that one of these mills is said to be haunted? Comment down below which one you think it is 👇
In photograph order:
📍1. St Benets Mill
📍2. Horsey Mill
📍3. Turf Fen Mill
📍4. Thurne Mill
📍5. Bograve Mill
#NorfolkBroads #NationalPark #Windpumps
✨🌙 Look up!
With a partial solar eclipse taking place tonight across the UK, we’re reminded about how important it is for our dark skies to be protected. Our National Parks are home to some of the best places in the UK to enjoy them, due to low levels of light pollution.
These incredible photos capture another recent celestial phenomenon that has been on display for stargazers and is peaking tonight - the Perseid meteor shower.
The sightings were captured in @northyorkmoors - home to one of the UK’s largest areas of protected dark sky.
🌟Tag us in your eclipse photos across our National Parks. Just be sure to follow safe viewing and photography guidance while you snap!
📷 1. Perseid meteor shower at Skelton Tower by Richard Horsman.
📷 2. Milky Way and Perseid meteor shower at Sutton Bank by Russ Norman.
📍North York Moors National Park #DarkSkies #SolarEclipse #Perseid #MeteorShower
Just goats being goats. 🐐
These incredible animals call the Valley of Rocks in @exmoornp home - scaling walls and cliffs, grazing on the rich meadows and, occasionally, blocking the roads!
They’re a wonderful reminder of why our National Parks are so important, providing a home for such a diverse range of wildlife.
Have you ever spotted one?
📷 Exmoor National Park
#ValleyOfRocks #Exmoor #Goats #NationalPark
Look out for us at the cinema. 🎬🌳
Our latest Wild Spaces episode, screening before selected films, takes you to Northumberland National Park. Their team, alongside farmers, landowners and volunteers, is working together to create healthier, more resilient landscapes through woodland creation and hedgerow planting.
It’s a story of partnership, long-term thinking, and the small actions that can have a lasting impact.
Find out more about the project and watch the episode via the link in our bio. 🔗
@northumberlandnationalpark
#WildSpaces #Northumberland #TreePlanting
💭You might have heard of peatland, but what exactly is it and why does it matter so much?
Peatlands are our natural climate allies. They store vast amounts of carbon, support rare wildlife, improve water quality, reduce flood risk and preserve thousands of years of archaeological and cultural history.
Some of the UK`s most important peatlands are found within our National Parks, making them critical places for tackling the climate and nature crises.
Across the UK`s National Parks, peatland restoration projects are helping damaged peatlands recover, benefiting both nature and people.
📍Dartmoor National Park
#NationalParks #Peatlands #NatureRecovery
