National Trust launches appeal to save ‘Snowdonia’s jewel in the crown’

Llyn Dinas - Credit Geriant Thomas.

March 2011. The National Trust has launched its biggest countryside appeal in more than a decade to help save a farm and lake that form the backdrop to one of the most iconic views in Wales.

Llyndy Isaf is a 248 hectare (614 acre) hill farm in the Nant Gwynant valley, which includes the beautiful Llyn Dinas Lake, also known as Snowdonia's ‘jewel in the crown'. The farm has been untouched by intensive farming for decades and is also home to a wealth of wildlife.

Richard Neale, the National Trust's General Manager in Snowdonia said: "When I look at the landscape of this small but spectacular corner of Wales I can't think of a more deserving location for National Trust protection than Llyndy Isaf.

"There is a real danger that if we don't raise the £1 million needed to acquire the farm and lake it could fall in to commercial hands with all of the uncertainty that this raises for the future of this tranquil place."

This is the National Trust's biggest countryside appeal since the 1998 appeal to save Snowdon headed by Sir Anthony Hopkins.

Walkers and campers will continue to have access to the farm and land around the lake and the plan is to start improving the network of footpaths. The basic campsite and bunk barns, ideal for walkers, will be open to everyone.

Access to and enjoyment of this special place for local people and visitors to Snowdonia is a key reason why the Trust wants to take on the ownership of this wonderful farm.

There be dragons
The hills around this beautiful farm are steeped in mythology. According to a popular Welsh legend, an epic battle between a red dragon and white dragon took place at one of the mountains, Dinas Emrys, which towers about the lake. The red dragon won, becoming the national emblem of Wales, and the white dragon tumbled into the lake, Llyn Dinas.

Choughs, Pied flycatchers & willow warblers
Llyndy Isaf is also a wildlife haven, home to Snowdonia's endangered choughs, precious songbirds such as pied flycatchers and willow warblers and you can also spot peregrine falcons hunting for their prey.

Ken Owen, the current owner of the farm who is retiring after thirty-five years living and working the land, said: "The decision to retire and leave Llyndy Isaf was not an easy one. It's a beautiful place and we've spent many very happy years here.

"We've worked hard and over that time we've realised more and more the importance of farming in harmony with the environment and that's why we have offered the farm to the National Trust as I know they will continue to farm it in the same way that I have."

The appeal to buy Llyndy Isaf is launched under the umbrella of the National Trust's Snowdonia Appeal. In 1998 the appeal raised £4 million to buy the 1666 hectare (4118 acres) Hafod-y-Llan estate on the southern flank of Snowdon.

The National Trust is trying to save  Llyndy Isaf, the 248 hectare (614 acre) hill farm in the Nant Gwynant valley.