Llyn Crafnant, reservoir in the United Kingdom
Llyn Crafnant is a reservoir in a deep valley in North Wales, surrounded by forested slopes and rocky ridges that rise around the water. The lake stretches roughly half a mile long and reaches about 72 feet (22 meters) at its deepest point, with walking trails, parking facilities, and a seasonal café serving visitors year-round.
The lake was dammed in 1874 to supply water to the nearby town of Llanrwst and has served this purpose for generations. In 1896, a man named Richard James gifted both the water and land to the town, marked by an obelisk monument that still stands by the water today.
The name comes from Welsh words: 'craf' means garlic and 'nant' means stream or valley, hinting at the area's ancient past. Today people visit to walk, fish, and connect with a landscape shaped by both natural forces and human activity over centuries.
The site is easily reached by car from Llanrwst and offers parking with accessible spaces, toilets open all day, and a seasonal lakeside café. Several clearly marked walking trails with varying difficulty levels suit different visitors, from a flat riverside path suitable for wheelchairs to more challenging routes that climb through woodlands.
The lake has appeared in films and television shows including 'Hollyoaks' and 'Tomb Raider II', adding a surprising film history to this quiet Welsh valley. The water flowing from it still powers a mill nearby, keeping a piece of industrial heritage alive and functioning in daily use.
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