Adventure awaits at Lliw Reservoir with new natural timber play area

Thanks to a grant from the Brilliant Basics Fund administered by Welsh Government, there is a fabulous new natural play area for kids to enjoy at Lower Lliw reservoirs near Swansea. The purpose of Brilliant Basics is to deliver basic small scale tourism infrastructure improvements across all of Wales in order to ensure that all visitors to Wales have a positive and memorable experience throughout all aspects of their stay.

Constructed in timber the new natural play area caters for a wide age range of children. Centrepiece is a climbing platform, with a wobbly suspension bridge and two balance rope crossings. Kids will love the challenging climbing ropes that get you to the top of the banking, to ride the fantastic wavy slide! There are balance beams and steppingstones, plus balancing ropes to swing from too.

Located next to Lliw Café, parents and carers can enjoy a cuppa or bite to eat on the outdoor seating area, while supervising children in the play area.  Jayne and David Thomas, who run the café, helped to design the play area. Jayne said “It’s wonderful to see the exciting developments at Lliw Reservoir, giving children a host of opportunities to learn through play.”

Local Swansea artist Ami Marsden has created a series of activity stations for the play area including listening posts; games tables; and a huge bug hotel for the playground area where children can help create safe homes for a variety of minibeasts and insects. The sustainable structures encourage children to learn about the importance of habitat and hibernation. 

The natural play area compliments the recently launched wildlife trail at Lower Lliw reservoir, featuring eight beautiful sculptures carved out of Welsh oak.  Follow the trail to discover carvings of pipistrelle bats, a rabbit, a grey heron, a trout, a hedgehog, an otter, an owl and a red kite. Free wildlife trail sheets are available in Welsh and English, to encourage children to learn about some of the creatures that call Lliw home, with fun activities such as taking rubbings along the way.

Vicky Martin, Head of Visitor Attraction Strategy at Dwr Cymru Welsh Water said “Receiving Brilliant Basics Funding through Welsh Government has allowed us to completely transform the play area at Lliw Reservoirs.  Natural play provides adventure and challenge, opportunities for children to develop life skills and to learn about the natural world around them.”

Lliw Café and playground are open daily 9am – 4pm until the end of October, 9am – 3pm from November to February. To find out more visit: Lliw Cafe

The car park at Lower Lliw Reservoir is open daily 8am – dusk. Check for closing times on arrival at the entrance to the site.

For more information visit https://lliwreservoirs.com/