Bwylch Nant Yr Arian, West Wales

“There’s more to forestry than forests” John Taylor from the Forestry Commission told me as we strolled around the visitor centre at Nant Yr Arian. The Commission’s website (www.forestry.gov.uk) states that “The Forestry Commission is the largest land manager in Britain and the biggest provider of outdoor recreation.” Bwlch Nant Yr Arian – an activity centre 10 miles east of Aberystwyth – is a shining example of what the Commission has done to introduce low-impact leisure activities in its forests throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

Nant Yr Arian has restored numbers of Red Kites. Photo: Richard Hammond

Nant yr Arian (‘silver river’) is on the site of old lead and silver mine overlooking the Cambrian Mountains. At a cost of over half a million pounds, the FC has installed a state-of-the-art visitor centre with a panoramic view of the old quarry – now a large wildlife-friendly lake surrounded by woodland. The visitor centre has a sedum roof, which filters rainwater that’s used in the toilets and in a bike-washing station. It also has a large woodchip burner, which uses surplus wood from the forest to heat the building. Adjacent to the building is an adventure playground, while in the hills around the centre there are several mountain trails where visitors go birdwatching, orienteering and mountain biking. But the main attraction is down at a lakeside hide where you can view the daily feeding of red kites as well as Buzzards and other birds. Some 20 years ago there were just two pairs of red kites in mid-Wales, but thanks to the comprehensive rehabilitation programme at Nant Yr Arian there are now over 80 pairs. As we walked up to the top of the small hill looking out over the red kite feeding area, Taylor explained to me the benefits of using the FC’s forests for centres of outdoor recreation: “Studies show forests have health and well-being benefits – and people prefer them to indoor gyms”. Which is why at the Visitor Centre you can pick up a leaflet on ‘Counting the Calories’, describing the number of calories you’re likely to burn on various walking routes around the Centre. We all know getting out into the great outdoors is good for your health, but at Nant Yr Arian not only is it good for you, it’s also good for the local wildlife and the environment. Entrance if free. www.nantyrarian.com. Bwlch Nant Yr Arian was a finalist in the 'Best Open Space' category in the Times Green Spaces Awards. For the list of winners, see The Times Green Spaces Winners are...