Visiting the Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre near Aberystwyth

One of the places we visited while glamping in Aberystwyth was the Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre. Managed by Natural Resources Wales, the visitor centre has a number of trails for walkers, mountain bikers, runners and horse riders. But what it is the most popular for is their daily red kite feeding sessions.

Red Kite Feeding at Bwlch Nant yr Arian

Bwlch Nant yr Arian has been a red kite feeding station since the 1990s. Every single day the team at the visitor centre feed hundreds of these red beauties by the lake. In winters, the birds are fed at 2 pm (GMT) while in summer their feeding time is 3 pm (BST).

There are a number of areas from where you can view the birds being fed. You can see it from a bird hide or a designated viewing area near the lake. Just ask any staff member and they will direct you to the viewing area.

We had no idea what to expect at the feeding session but it turned out to be an amazing experience. Hundreds of red kites arrived dot on time, hovering above the lake, waiting for their food to be put out. It was wonderful to watch them swoop down, dive and pick up the meat. And the sheer number of birds made it even more impressive. We learnt that red kites either feed on the wing or take their food to a tree, to feed on it while perched.

We were lucky to get a vantage viewing point, thanks to one of the staff members who was also happy to share a lot of interesting information about the red kites, the history of the feeding station and more.

Did you know that in the early 1930s, there were just two breeding pairs of red kites in the British Isles and both were in central Wales? Thanks to a successful conservation programme today there are thought to be around 4,600 breeding pairs of these birds in the UK.

Another interesting fact - the wingspan of a red kite can reach up to 5-6 feet! Impressive, isn't it?

Red kites are quite capable of killing small mammals and birds but they are mainly carrion eaters. Another important part of their diet is roadkill. When we were returning from the visitor centre we spotted two red kites around a pheasant that had been struck by (and probably killed) a passing vehicle. That was the closest range I had ever seen a red kite from and the bird is magnificent.

After the end of the feeding session, as the birds dispersed, we made our way to enjoy the walking trails at the visitor centre.

Walking trails at Bwlch Nant yr Arian

There are a number of walking trails at the visitor centre, all waymarked from start to finish. The trails are of different grades and distances; so there is something for everyone.

The Barcud Trail (which includes an Animal Puzzle Trail) seemed to be the most popular with visitors with young kids. The trail is around ¾ mile long and takes roughly around 30-45 minutes to complete. The path is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. There are sculptures and poetry boards along the path which share interesting tidbits about local folklore and history.

For those looking for longer walking trails, there's the Miners' Trail (1½ miles long, with some steep climbs and descents) or the Ridgetop Trail (2½ miles, long and steep climbs but offers lovely views of Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains.)

There are a number of viewing points across the site that offer some really lovely views, like the one below which is very near the car park.

Mountain bike trails

In addition to the walking trails, there are a number of waymarked mountain bike trails at Bwlch Nant yr Arian. The trails are of different difficulty grades and distances. The Arian Trail (7.9 km) can be enjoyed by the entire family and will take you to the lovely Blaenmelindwr lake.

The Summit Trail (18.5 km) is a more challenging trail taking riders through the forest and onto exposed moorlands. The Syfydrin Trail (36 km) is the most challenging trail of all which includes the Summit Trail and then leads you onto high open hills and remote countryside.

Play areas for children

For the young visitors, there are two play areas on site. There is a Toddler play area and a Dizzy Heights Play Area for older children. Both the play areas feature equipment made of timber to blend in with the natural, forest surroundings.

Café and Shop

Once you have watched the red kites being fed and done exploring the trails, you can head to the café which serves hot and cold snacks and a selection of drinks.

There is a small shop as well at the visitor centre that sells stuff like books, Welsh beer and wooden craft items.

Overall, Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre is a lovely place to visit. While there are lots of walking/cycling trails for all levels of fitness, I feel the main USP of the place is the red kite feeding sessions. It is an amazing experience not to be missed.

How to get to Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre

Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre | Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth SY23 3AB

The Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre is located 9 miles east of Aberystwyth in the county of Ceredigion. If you driving down to the centre, then take the A44 (from Aberystwyth) towards Llangurig. If you are planning to arrive by public transport then you can take Bus no 525 from Aberystwyth to Ponterwyd/Llanidloes. It stops on request at the entrance to the Bwlch Nant yr Arian car park.

There is ample car parking at the visitor centre and the ticket machine takes both coins and cards. When we visited we paid £3 (for up to 3 hours). I think it was £5 for all-day parking.

The visitor centre is open daily (except Christmas day, Boxing day and New Year's day) from 10 am to 5 pm. However, it is advisable to call the centre before travelling as sometimes the opening hours might change due to adverse weather or for essential maintenance work.

You can contact the Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre on 0300 065 5470 or by email at
[email protected]