Plas y Brenin facts for kids

Plas y Brenin is a National Outdoor Centre located in Conwy County Borough, Wales. It's owned by Sport England. The centre is found in Dyffryn Mymbyr, also known as the Mymbyr Valley, within the beautiful Snowdonia area. It's just a short distance south-west of Capel Curig village, right on the A4086 road.

A Look Back: How Plas y Brenin Started

In the late 1700s, a man named Richard Pennant, 1st Baron Penrhyn, built a road. This road went from Bangor through the Nant Ffrancon Pass and Dyffryn Ogwen all the way to Betws-y-Coed. It eventually reached Shrewsbury by 1798.

In 1801, Lord Penrhyn built an inn called the Capel Curig Inn. In 1808, a Mail coach started running from Holyhead to Shrewsbury, passing through Capel Curig. This coach service stopped in 1848 when the Chester and Holyhead Railway opened. The inn wasn't built directly on the main road (now the A5). Instead, it was placed a bit away from it. This was so guests could enjoy the amazing views of Llynnau Mymbyr (the lakes) and the Snowdon horseshoe mountains.

Between 1869 and 1871, the Capel Curig Hotel changed its name again to the Royal Hotel. Since it opened in 1801, some very famous guests have stayed there. These include Queen Victoria, Edward VII, George V, and Edward VIII.

Other well-known people who visited included Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond in 1807. There's even a plaque remembering his visit. Sir Joseph Paxton, who designed The Crystal Palace, visited in 1856. Bishop Samuel Wilberforce came in 1858. Lord Byron visited in 1913, and Sir Walter Scott in 1818. Some important visitors even carved their names into the windows of what was then the cocktail bar. These carvings were still there in the 1970s.

Becoming Plas y Brenin

In 1955, the Royal Hotel was renamed "Plas y Brenin." This Welsh name means "The King's Mansion." It was renamed in memory of King George VI. His trust fund had bought the building. It was then used by The Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR). It became "The Snowdonia National Recreation Centre." H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, who was president of the CCPR, visited Plas y Brenin on June 1, 1956.

G.I. Milton was the first person to lead the centre. John A Jackson became the second leader from 1960 to 1976. During this time, Plas y Brenin became known as the "gold standard." This meant it was a top example for other outdoor centres around the world.

Some of the first outdoor courses offered were horse riding, surveying, subaqua (underwater activities), and fly fishing. These were later stopped. Less common sports like archery and even javelin were also taught. These sports took place in a cellar under what is now the dining room.

A special event called "Farmers' Night" started very early on. It still happens today. Its purpose was to build good relationships with local farmers and people living in Capel Curig.

What Plas y Brenin Does Today

Today, Plas y Brenin is a busy outdoor centre. It is managed by the Mountain Training Trust (MTT) on behalf of Sport England. It is one of three National Centres still owned by the sports council. The others are Lilleshall and Bisham Abbey.

Plas y Brenin is widely known for giving excellent training. This includes all parts of mountaineering, mountain biking, and paddling. They also teach rescue skills. The centre helps different groups create new coaching and leadership awards. It also works with many people to get more active outdoors. This is part of its role as a national centre.

The MTT is a registered charity. It was set up by the British Mountaineering Council and other training groups. Its main goal is to run the centre. In its early years, the British Mountaineering Council was not always supportive of Plas y Brenin. However, the centre proved its value over time.

Plas y Brenin has a unique location. It sits below Llynnau Mymbyr at the foot of Dyffryn Mymbyr. This is a wide valley that leads to the Pen-y-Gwryd hotel and the Snowdon Horseshoe mountains. The centre's main goal is to offer the best training courses. It plays a key role in helping people who work in the outdoor sector.

They offer many different courses. These fall under the headings of ‘climb, hike, paddle, bike’. They also hold training events for many groups. This includes university clubs and outdoor professionals. Courses run all year round. They are held not only at Plas y Brenin in Snowdonia but also in north-west Scotland and the Alps.

On-site facilities at the centre include:

• A 13-meter climbing wall and a training wall
• An indoor canoe training pool (6m x 3m)
• A fitness room

There is also accommodation with up to 65 beds. The centre has rooms for conferences and events. There is a large lecture space, a dining room, and a bar. The bar has one of the best views in Snowdonia! There are also stores and a shop that rents equipment to the public.

Images for kids

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  "The Royal Hotel" main entrance view (late 19th century)

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  "The Royal Hotel" with "Pont y Bala" in the foreground

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  The Royal Hotel gardens (late 19th century)

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  Llynnau Mymbyr and the Snowdon Horseshoe.

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  Plas-y-Brenin's horse riding instructor Tibor Zanelsky)

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  Fly casting practice from the terrace

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  Early subaqua in Llynnau Mymbyr)

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  The dinner ladies on farmers night. 1960s

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  View from the Pinnacles, over the old Turnpike, St. Julitta's Church, Plas y Brenin, Llynnau Mymbyr, Dyffryn Mymbyr, Nant y Gwryd and the Snowdon Horseshoe.

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  Plas-y-Brenin under a gloomy sky, c1972. Photograph illustrates a well-developed artificial Ski slope, the first in North Wales