Partners sought to enhance visitor experiences at outdoor destinations in Wales
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has launched a marketing exercise to find the right partners to enhance visitor experiences, while protecting nature, at two of Wales’ most unique outdoor destinations.
We are seeking partners to run the Visitor Centres and surrounding areas, with the option of additional buildings and land, at Bwlch Nant yr Arian, near Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, and Coed y Brenin, near Dolgellau in Eryri National Park, Gwynedd.
Borth Community Hub is already successfully providing activities, workshops and food and drink at Ynyslas Nature Hub, formally the Visitor Centre, at Dyfi Nature Reserve.
Head of Sustainable Commercial Development Neil Stoddart explained:
“This is a unique opportunity to build on the success of two of Wales’ most beautiful and exciting outdoor destinations.
“We have designed a process to give a range of prospective interested parties, from community groups, small enterprises and start-ups, right through to commercial businesses, the chance, the time, and the right support, to make a bid.
“The aim is to find long-term, sustainable partners who can enhance the sites for the benefit of local communities, local businesses and visitors, whilst protecting nature.”
A strategic review in 2024, resulted in NRW-provided retail and catering services ceasing at the three Visitor Centres in March 2025. This allowed us to focus our resources on achieving our core mission to support nature’s recovery, tackle climate change, and minimise pollution.
The marketing exercise will run until Summer 2026 to allow a competitive dialogue from a range of potential bidders and is being delivered in partnership with Newmark, a commercial real estate advisor.
Neil said: “We know these sites are special to a lot of people and we thank all those who have worked with us so far.
“We are committed to being transparent and open as we look to appoint the right partners to work with us.
“In the interim, we want to stress that the sites are still very much open for people to enjoy throughout the year.”
Paths, trails, and play areas are available on the sites, which also have car parking and toilet facilities. NRW colleagues also carry out important work to protect wildlife and maintain the environment.
Bwlch Nant yr Arian is well-known for its long-established daily red kite feeding. It also offers scenic walking, running, cycling, and horse-riding way-marked trails and features a skills park with a purpose-built track for mountain bikers to practice their techniques.
Coed y Brenin was Britain’s first purpose-built mountain biking centre, and it is still one of the sport’s top destinations with trails for beginners and more technical routes for expert riders. The area has a bike shop and skills area to develop riding techniques.
Set within scenic forest and river landscapes, Coed y Brenin also offers way-marked walking and family-friendly trails, as well as children’s play areas and picnic tables.
In Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Y Consti, part of a local charity, is temporarily providing drinks and cold food to visitors five days a week from 10am-4pm. A similar temporary opportunity at Coed y Brenin is also being advertised.
If you would like more information about the marketing exercise you can visit the Visitor Centre pages online or contact the agents by emailing leo.llewellyn@newmark.com or calling 029 20381865.