NRW Confirms Catering and Retail Facilities to Close at Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Ynyslas and Coed y Brenin

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has confirmed that retail and catering services at its three flagship visitor centres—Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Ynyslas and Coed y Brenin—will officially cease operations on 31 March. However, public access to the sites will continue, with all trails, paths, car parks, play areas, and toilet facilities remaining open.

In a statement released ahead of the closures, NRW assured the public that the core management and maintenance of the sites will continue under the supervision of existing land management teams.

“We understand how important our sites are to local communities and visitors and I would like to thank everyone who has shown an interest and shared correspondence with us about this issue,” said Elsie Grace, NRW’s Head of Sustainable Commercial Development.

“We want to reiterate and reassure the public that all paths, trails, car park, play area and toilet facilities will remain open and the management of the sites will remain with our land management staff as it is currently.”

NRW has now turned its focus to securing new partners to take over service provision at two of the sites—Bwlch Nant yr Arian and Coed y Brenin. While the exact timeline for reopening services is not yet confirmed, plans to bring the opportunities to market are in progress.

“We are currently finalising how and when we will go to market for these opportunities and we hope to communicate more information soon,” said Grace. “We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we know you are keen to know what is coming next, but we want to make sure we get it right to avoid confusion and any potential issues in the future.”

“It is important to take the necessary time now for a smooth process later. We would again like to thank everyone for their interest and passion with regards to our sites as we move ahead with the next phase of the process.”

Unlike the other two sites, Ynyslas will not be offered for commercial use. Instead, NRW is exploring options for potential community use, although no final decisions have been made and the process remains ongoing.

Visitors are reminded that while enjoying the sites, they are responsible for their own safety and that of any children or animals with them. Signage will be in place to highlight any potential hazards.

NRW also issued a renewed call for responsible behaviour in the countryside. Litter and waste must be taken home, and visitors are encouraged to follow the Countryside Code to help preserve the natural environment.

To deter pollution and antisocial behaviour—including fly-tipping—NRW will use a combination of CCTV monitoring, on-site checks, and public reports. Incidents can be reported to NRW’s 24-hour line at 03000 65 3000 or via the online portal: Natural Resources Wales / Report an incident.

For the latest updates and answers to frequently asked questions about the sites, members of the public are encouraged to visit NRW’s Citizen Space consultation hub or search online for Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Ynyslas, or Coed y Brenin.