115-634: Snowdonia , or Eryri ( pronounced [ɛrəri] ), is a mountainous region and national park in North Wales . It contains all 15 mountains in Wales over 3000 feet high, including the country's highest, Snowdon ( Yr Wyddfa ), which is 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) tall. These peaks are all part of the Snowdon , Glyderau , and Carneddau ranges in the north of the region. The shorter Moelwynion and Moel Hebog ranges lie immediately to
230-779: A devolved matter, so each of the countries of the United Kingdom has its own policies and arrangements for them. The national parks of Scotland and those of England and Wales are governed by separate laws: the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 in Scotland and the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 for England and Wales. The Environment Act 1995 defines the role of national parks in England and Wales as being: The Broads differs from
345-475: A little more restrictive than elsewhere. Within the United Kingdom there are fifteen national parks of which ten are in England, three in Wales , two in Scotland , and none in Northern Ireland. An estimated 110 million people visit the national parks of England and Wales each year. Recreation and tourism bring visitors and funds into the parks, to sustain their conservation efforts, and support
460-486: A narrow gauge railway. At its peak in the 19th century the slate industry employed around 12,000 men. A further 1000 were employed in stone quarrying at Graiglwyd and Penmaenmawr. Mining for copper , iron and gold was undertaken during the 18th and 19th centuries, leaving a legacy of mine and mill ruins today. Ruins of the gold industry are found at Cefn Coch on the Dolmelynllyn estate . The Snowdonia Society
575-462: A national park in the 1970s but the proposal was thought to be administratively too difficult because the area was administered by five different county councils . The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads was designated through its own Act of Parliament in 1988 , gaining status equivalent to that of a national park. The Broads in East Anglia are not in the strictest sense a national park, being run by
690-447: A number of problems. The national funding offered to national park authorities is partly in recognition of the extra difficulties created in dealing with these conflicts. The United Kingdom has a number of other designated landscape areas besides its national parks. Most similar to the parks are Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty which differ in part because of their more limited opportunities for extensive outdoor recreation. Dartmoor,
805-559: A part in the development of geological science and continue to provide a focus for educational visits. Visiting Cwm Idwal in 1841, Charles Darwin realised that the landscape was the product of glaciation. The bedrock dates largely from the Cambrian and Ordovician periods with intrusions of Ordovician and Silurian age associated with the Caledonian Orogeny . There are smaller areas of Silurian age sedimentary rocks in
920-506: A part is within the park), Berwyn (of which a part is within the park) and Migneint-Arenig-Dduallt . The three designated Ramsar sites are the Dyfi Biosphere (Cors Fochno and Dyfi), Cwm Idwal and Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake). The area's economy was traditionally centred upon farming and from the early 19th century increasingly on mining and quarrying. Tourism has become an increasingly significant part of Snowdonia's economy during
1035-768: A particularly high number of protected sites in respect of its diverse ecology; nearly 20% of its total area is protected by UK and European law. Half of that area was set aside by the government under the European Habitats Directive as a Special Area of Conservation. There are a large number of Sites of special scientific interest (or 'SSSIs'), designated both for fauna and flora but also in some cases for geology. Nineteen of these sites are managed as national nature reserves by Natural Resources Wales . The park also contains twelve Special Areas of Conservation (or 'SACs'), three Special Protection Areas (or 'SPAs') and three Ramsar sites . Some are wholly within
1150-418: A separately constituted Broads Authority set up by a special Act of Parliament in 1988 and with a structure in which conservation is subordinate to navigational concerns (see Sandford Principle below), but it is generally regarded as being "equivalent to" a national park. Separate legislation was passed in Scotland, namely the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 , and from this two Scottish national parks,
1265-495: A seven-year period after the Rhododendron infestations have been eradicated. As a result, there are a number of desolate landscapes. Mammals in the park include otters , polecats , feral goats , and pine martens . Birds include raven , red-billed chough , peregrine , osprey , merlin and the red kite . The rainbow-coloured Snowdon beetle ( Chrysolina cerealis ) is only found in northern Snowdonia. Snowdonia has
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#17327733919981380-480: Is a heritage railway which has been established along a section of the former mainline route between Bala and Llanuwchllyn. Other heritage railways occupy sections of former mineral lines, often narrow gauge and are described in a separate section. The national park is served by a growing bus network, branded Sherpa'r Wyddfa (formerly Snowdon Sherpa). The network was relaunched in July 2022 with this new brand to reflect
1495-507: Is a registered charity formed in 1967; it is a voluntary group of people with an interest in the area and its protection. Amory Lovins led the successful 1970s opposition to stop Rio Tinto digging up the area for a massive mine. The park's entire coastline is a Special Area of Conservation , which runs from the Llŷn Peninsula down the mid-Wales coast, the latter containing valuable sand dune systems. The park's natural forests are of
1610-531: Is also responsible for some public bodies that are not classed as WGSBs, such as NHS Wales , and the Welsh Offices of England and Wales legal offices. The Welsh Government has a total of 18 core and operational offices across Wales. It also has an office based in Westminster. Additionally, it has 7 specialist properties across Wales, which include stores, traffic management centres and the pavilion at
1725-542: Is chaired by the permanent secretary. Board members are appointed at the discretion of and by the permanent secretary. Membership is not wholly dependent on functional responsibilities; it is designed to provide balanced advice and support to the permanent secretary, and collective leadership to the organisation as a whole. The Welsh Government is responsible for a number of Welsh Government sponsored bodies (WGSBs). These are, respectively, WGSBs are staffed by public servants rather than civil servants. The Welsh Government
1840-456: Is complex, but the full cost of each park authority is funded from central government funds. In the past this was partly paid for by local authorities and refunded to them from the government to varying degrees. In 2003/2004 the park authorities received around £35.5 million of central government funding. The UK's national parks are members of National Parks UK, which works to promote them, and to facilitate training and development for staff of all
1955-555: Is designated under this Act, and must be confirmed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs . The 1949 Act came about after a prolonged campaign for public access to the countryside in the United Kingdom with its roots in the Industrial Revolution. The first 'freedom to roam' bill was introduced to Parliament in 1884 by James Bryce but it was not until 1931 that a government inquiry recommended
2070-519: Is found and the only place in the world where the Snowdonia hawkweed Hieracium snowdoniense grows. One of the major problems facing the park in recent years has been the growth of Rhododendron ponticum . This fast-growing invasive species has a tendency to take over and stifle native species. It can form massive towering growths and has a companion fungus that grows on its roots producing toxins that are poisonous to any local flora and fauna for
2185-625: Is managed as a forest park by Natural Resources Wales . National parks of the United Kingdom National parks of the United Kingdom ( Welsh : parciau cenedlaethol ; Scottish Gaelic : pàircean nàiseanta ) are 15 areas of relatively undeveloped and scenic landscape across the country. Despite their name, they are quite different from national parks in many other countries, which are usually owned and managed by governments as protected community resources, and which do not usually include permanent human communities. In
2300-401: Is merit in variety and with the wide diversity of landscape which is available in England and Wales, it would be wrong to confine the selection of National Parks to the more rugged areas of mountain and moorland, and to exclude other districts which, though of less outstanding grandeur and wildness, have their own distinctive beauty and a high recreational value. The National Parks and Access to
2415-614: Is no national park in the southern Midlands . The Cairngorms National Park , at 4,528 km (1,748 sq mi), is the largest of the national parks. Outside the Scottish Highlands the largest is the Lake District National Park , which, at 2,292 square kilometres (885 sq mi), is the largest National Park in England and the second largest in the United Kingdom. Snowdonia National Park , at 2,142 square kilometres (827 sq mi),
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#17327733919982530-419: Is no single hill, but a mountainous region, the loftiest part of which [is] called Y Wyddfa", making a distinction between the summit of the mountain and the surrounding massif. The Mountains of Snowdonia by H. Carr & G. Lister (1925) defines "Eryri" as "composed of the two cantrefs of Arfon and Arllechwedd , and the two commotes of Nant Conwy and Eifionydd ", which corresponds to Caernarfonshire with
2645-601: Is the executive arm of the devolved government of Wales . The government consists of cabinet secretaries and ministers . It is led by the first minister , usually the leader of the largest party in the Senedd (Welsh Parliament; Welsh : Senedd Cymru ), who selects ministers with the approval of the Senedd. The government is responsible for tabling policy in devolved areas (such as health, education, economic development, transport and local government) for consideration by
2760-432: Is the largest national park in Wales and the fourth largest in the United Kingdom. The smallest national park in England and Wales, and in the United Kingdom, is The Broads , at 303 square kilometres (117 sq mi). The total area of the national parks in England and Wales is about 16,267 square kilometres (6,281 sq mi), for an average of 1,251 square kilometres but a median of 1,344 square kilometres. In
2875-478: Is the most populous followed by Bala on the eastern boundary and then Harlech overlooking Tremadog Bay . More populous than these is the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, which is within an exclave , that is to say it is surrounded by the national park but excluded from it, whilst the towns of Tywyn and Barmouth on the Cardigan Bay coast are within coastal exclaves. Llanrwst in the east, Machynlleth in
2990-665: The A498 links Tremadog with the A4086 at Pen-y-Gwryd . Other roads of note include that from Llanuwchllyn up Cwm Cynllwyd to Dinas Mawddwy via the 545 metres (1,788 feet) high pass of Bwlch y Groes , the second highest tarmacked public road in Wales and the minor road running northwest and west from Llanuwchllyn towards Bronaber via the 531 metres (1,742 feet) high pass of Bwlch Pen-feidiog . Many sections of dismantled railway are now used by walking and cycling routes and are described elsewhere. The Bala Lake Railway
3105-564: The Cabinet Secretary , for professional conduct. The permanent secretary remains, however, at the direction of the Welsh ministers. The Welsh Government Board translates the strategic direction set by the Welsh cabinet and its committees into work that is joined up across Welsh Government departments and makes the best use of its resources. The board is made up of six directors general, six directors and four non-executive directors, and
3220-657: The Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs , were created. The New Forest , which includes the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland and old-growth forest in the heavily populated south east of England, was designated as a national park on 1 March 2005. On 31 March 2009 it was announced that the South Downs would be designated a national park; the South Downs National Park came into effect on 31 March 2010. Of
3335-753: The Carneddau , the Moelwynion and the Moel Hebog range. All of Wales' 3000ft mountains are to be found within the first three of these massifs and are most popular with visitors. To their south within the wider national park are the Rhinogydd and the Cadair Idris and Aran Fawddwy ranges. Besides these well-defined areas are a number of mountains which are less readily grouped, though various guidebook writers have assigned them into groups such as
3450-605: The Environment Agency . The national park authorities and the Broads Authority are covered by regulations similar to those that apply to local councils. The national park authority for each park addresses the stated aim in partnership with other organisations, such as the National Trust . In cases where there may be conflict between the two purposes of designation, the first (to conserve and enhance
3565-546: The Lake District were governed by county councils . The Peak District and the Lake District , the first two national parks to be designated, were under the control of planning boards that were independent of county councils. Similar national park authorities have also been established for the Scottish parks under separate legislation. Slightly over half the members of each national park authority are appointees from
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3680-518: The Mourne Mountains . If established, it would stretch from Carlingford Lough to Newcastle and Slieve Croob . National park authorities are the strategic and local planning authorities for their areas, so that the local district or unitary councils do not exercise planning control in an area covered by a national park. Consequently, they have to perform all the duties of a local planning authority . They are responsible for maintaining
3795-554: The Peak District National Park exclude the town of Buxton and its adjacent limestone quarries for a similar reason. The geology of Snowdonia is key to the area's character. Glaciation during a succession of ice ages has carved a distinctive rocky landscape from a heavily faulted and folded succession of sedimentary and igneous rocks . The last ice age ended only just over 11,500 years ago, leaving features attractive to visitors, which have also played
3910-608: The Snowdon Mountain Railway is at Llanberis. Though adjacent to it, Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr are less obviously linked to the park. There are numerous smaller settlements within the national park: prominent amongst these are the eastern 'gateway' village of Betws-y-Coed , Aberdyfi on the Dovey ( Dyfi ) estuary and the small village of Beddgelert each of which attract large numbers of visitors. Other sizeable villages are Llanuwchllyn at
4025-522: The Stone Age , at least 5,000 years ago and in some cases much earlier. Before the 19th century relatively wild, remote areas were often seen simply as uncivilised and dangerous. In 1725 Daniel Defoe described the High Peak as "the most desolate, wild and abandoned country in all England". However, by the early 19th century, romantic poets such as Byron , Coleridge and Wordsworth wrote about
4140-522: The Welsh Government to represent the national interest. The authority's main offices are at Penrhyndeudraeth . The park authority used Snowdonia and Snowdon when referring to the national park and mountain in English until February 2023, when it resolved to primarily use the Welsh names, Eryri and Yr Wyddfa . There will be a transitional period of approximately two years in which
4255-653: The cities was also considered important. The Peak District , site of the Kinder Scout trespass, was designated the first national park in April 1951 under the Clement Attlee led Labour administration . This was followed in the same year by the designations of three more national parks; the Lake District, Snowdonia and Dartmoor. By the end of the decade the national park family had increased to ten with
4370-519: The local development framework — the spatial planning guide for their area. They also grant planning consent for development, within the constraints of the Framework. This gives them very strong direct control over residential and industrial development, and the design of buildings and other structures; as well as strategic matters such as mineral extraction. The national park authorities' planning powers vary only slightly from other authorities, but
4485-551: The "Arenigs", the "Tarrens" and the "Dyfi hills". Snowdon's summit at 1,085 metres (3,560 feet) is the highest in Wales and the highest in Britain south of the Scottish Highlands. At 905 metres (2,969 feet), Aran Fawddwy is the highest in Wales outside of northern Snowdonia; Cadair Idris , at 893 metres (2,930 feet), is next in line. Rivers draining the area directly into Cardigan Bay are typically short and steep. From north to south they include: A series of rivers drain to
4600-479: The 20th and 21st centuries. The extensive farming of sheep remains central to Snowdonia's farming economy. Significant sections of the park were afforested during the 20th century for timber production. Major conifer plantations include Dyfi Forest , Coed y Brenin Forest between Dolgellau and Trawsfynydd, Penllyn Forest south of Bala, Beddgelert Forest and Gwydyr (or Gwydir) Forest near Betws-y-Coed which
4715-606: The A55 south past Betws-y-Coed to Blaenau Ffestiniog to Dolgellau . It exits the park a few miles to the southeast near Mallwyd . From Dolgellau , the A494 runs to Bala whilst the A487 connects with Machynlleth . The A487 loops around the northwest of the park from Bangor via Caernarfon to Porthmadog before turning in land to meet the A470 east of Maentwrog . The A5
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4830-903: The Cabinet of the United Kingdom by a Secretary of State who did not represent a Welsh constituency at Westminster. These factors led to growing calls for political devolution. The Welsh Office was disbanded on 1 July 1999 when most of its powers were transferred to the National Assembly for Wales. Charles III Heir Apparent William, Prince of Wales First Minister ( list ) Rt Hon Eluned Morgan MS ( L ) Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MS ( L ) Counsel General-designate – Elisabeth Jones Chief Whip and Trefnydd – Jane Hutt MS (L) Permanent Secretary Sixth Senedd Llywydd (Presiding Officer) Elin Jones MS ( PC ) Leader of
4945-536: The Countryside Act 1949 was passed with all party support. The first ten national parks were designated as such in the 1950s under the Act in mostly poor-quality agricultural upland . Much of the land was still owned by individual landowners, often private estates, but there was also property owned by public bodies such as the Crown , or charities which allow and encourage access such as the National Trust . Accessibility from
5060-539: The Countryside Act 1949 . The idea for a form of national parks was first proposed in the United States in the 1860s, where national parks were established to protect wilderness areas such as Yosemite . This model has been used in many other countries since, but not in the United Kingdom. After thousands of years of human integration into the landscape, Britain lacks any substantial areas of wilderness. Furthermore, those areas of natural beauty so cherished by
5175-750: The English and Welsh national parks that were originally proposed, two remain undesignated: the Cambrian Mountains and Cornish Coast. Of the twelve national parks in England and Wales, four are in the North of England, two in the Southwest, one in the North Midlands, two (the most recently designated) in the South and three in Wales. They cover 10.7 per cent of England and 19.9 per cent of Wales. They touch only sixteen English counties and there
5290-896: The Lake District – is wholly coincident with a national park whilst a part of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site falls within the Brecon Beacons National Park and parts of the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd and of the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales fall within Snowdonia National Park. Download coordinates as: Welsh Government The Welsh Government ( Welsh : Llywodraeth Cymru )
5405-708: The Lake District, North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales all abut AONBs and in addition the coasts of Exmoor and the North York Moors coincide with heritage coasts . All the Parks contain in varying numbers Sites of Special Scientific Interest and national nature reserves . A part of the Brecon Beacons National Park is also designated as one of the UNESCO Global Geoparks . Of the various World Heritage Sites in England and Wales , one –
5520-491: The National Assembly for Wales (and within which Welsh ministers exercise executive functions) are: The Welsh Assembly Government was renamed Welsh Government ( Llywodraeth Cymru ) in practice in 2011, and in law by the Wales Act 2014 . The government is composed of cabinet secretaries and ministers. The current government is a minority by Welsh Labour . The current cabinet was formed on 11 September 2024, replacing
5635-491: The National Assembly for Wales, comprising 60 assembly members, and the Welsh Assembly Government, comprising the first minister, Welsh ministers, deputy ministers and the counsel general. This separation between the two bodies took effect on the appointment of the first minister by Queen Elizabeth II following the assembly election on 3 May 2007. Separation was meant to clarify the respective roles of
5750-532: The National Park's promotion of Welsh place names. Thus the publicity and websites for the newly-branded service only use these Welsh names, even though the publicity is also directed at monoglot English speakers. Together with the TrawsCymru network of buses, this provides a car-free option for tourists and locals wishing to travel across the National Park. Snowdonia is one of the wettest parts of
5865-652: The Opposition Andrew RT Davies MS ( C ) Shadow Cabinet ( current ) Prime Minister Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP ( L ) Secretary of State for Wales Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP (L) Principal councils ( leader list ) Corporate Joint Committees Local twinning see also: Regional terms and Regional economy United Kingdom Parliament elections European Parliament elections (1979–2020) Local elections Police and crime commissioner elections Referendums The National Assembly
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#17327733919985980-497: The Peak District National Park the estimate in 2004 for visitor spending is £185 million, which supports over 3,400 jobs, representing 27% of total employment in the national park. The national park authorities have two roles: to conserve and enhance the park, and to promote its use by visitors. These two objectives cause frequent conflicts between the needs of different groups of people. It is estimated that
6095-577: The Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland and Brecon Beacons national parks all being designated. Other areas were also considered: for example, parts of the coast of Cornwall were considered as a possible national park in the 1950s but were thought to be too disparate to form a single coherent national park and were eventually designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) instead. The north Pennines were also considered for designation as
6210-487: The Senedd and implementing policy that has been approved by it. The current Welsh Government is a Labour minority administration , following the 2021 Senedd election . It is led by Eluned Morgan who has been the first minister of Wales since August 2024. Prior to devolution in 1999 many executive functions for Wales were carried out by the Secretary of State for Wales and the Welsh Office . The Welsh Office
6325-442: The United Kingdom ; Crib Goch in Snowdonia is the wettest spot in the United Kingdom, with an average rainfall of 4,473 millimetres (176.1 in) a year over the 30-year period prior to the mid-2000s. (There is a rainfall gauge at 713 metres (2,339 feet)on the slopes below Crib Goch.) The earliest evidence for human occupation of the area dates from around 4000–3000 BC with extensive traces of prehistoric field systems evident in
6440-536: The United Kingdom the total increases to 22,660 square kilometres (average 1511 km ). The most-visited national park is the Lake District, with 15.8 million visitors in 2009, although by visitor days the South Downs at 39 million compares to 23.1 million for the Lake District. There are currently no national parks in Northern Ireland though there have been controversial moves to establish one in
6555-463: The United Kingdom, an area designated as a national park may include substantial settlements and human land uses that are often integral parts of the landscape. Land within national parks remains largely in private ownership. These parks are therefore not "national parks" according to the internationally accepted standard of the IUCN but they are areas of outstanding landscape where planning controls are
6670-749: The Welsh Government's programmes; and enact acts of assembly on subjects that have been devolved to the Welsh administration. The result mirrored much more closely the relationship between the British government and British parliament and that between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament . The new arrangements provided for in the Government of Wales Act 2006 created a formal legal separation between
6785-425: The Welsh Government, giving Welsh ministers independent executive authority, this taking effect following the May 2007 elections . Following separation, the Welsh ministers exercise functions in their own right. Further transfers of executive functions from the British government can be made directly to the Welsh ministers (with their consent) by an Order in Council approved by the British parliament . Separation
6900-414: The appointment of Vaughan Gething. The Welsh Government also includes a civil service that supports the Welsh ministers. As of March 2018, there are 5,015 full-time equivalent civil servants working across Wales. The civil service is a matter reserved to the British Parliament at Westminster : Welsh Government civil servants work within the rules and customs of His Majesty's Civil Service , but serve
7015-402: The appointment of Welsh ministers. The first minister is nominated by the Senedd and then appointed by His Majesty the King. The first minister then appoints the Welsh ministers and the deputy Welsh ministers with the approval of the monarch. The Act created a new post of Counsel General for Wales , the principal source of legal advice to the Welsh Government. The counsel general is appointed by
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#17327733919987130-405: The area, Llyn Celyn and Llyn Trawsfynydd , whilst a number of the natural lakes have had their levels artificially raised. Marchlyn Mawr reservoir and Ffestiniog Power Station's Llyn Stwlan are two cases where natural tarns have been dammed as part of pumped storage hydro-electric schemes . A fuller list of the lakes within the area is found at List of lakes of Wales . In 2023,
7245-472: The assembly and the government. The role of the government is to make decisions; develop and implement policy; exercise executive functions and make statutory instruments. The 60 assembly members in the National Assembly scrutinise the Welsh Government's decisions and policies; hold ministers to account; approve budgets for the Welsh Government's programmes; and have the power to enact assembly measures on certain matters. Assembly measures can now go further than
7360-419: The assembly, only had those powers that the assembly as a whole voted to delegate to ministers. On 27 November 2001, First Minister Rhodri Morgan announced that the brand "Welsh Assembly Government" would be used going forward for the committee, to more clearly delineate the division of functions within the Assembly. The Government of Wales Act 2006 formally separated the National Assembly for Wales and
7475-456: The authority will continue to use the English names in parentheses — for example " Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)" — where the context requires. Unlike national parks in other countries, national parks in the UK are made up of both public and private lands under a central planning authority. The makeup of land ownership in the national park is as follows: More than 26,000 people live within the park, of whom 58.6% could speak Welsh in 2011. While most of
7590-423: The cause of public access in the political arena. In 1931 Christopher Addison (later Lord Addison) chaired a government committee that proposed a 'National Park Authority' to choose areas for designation as national parks. A system of national reserves and nature sanctuaries was proposed: (i) to safeguard areas of exceptional natural interest against (a) disorderly development and (b) spoliation; (ii) to improve
7705-430: The coast between Porthmadog and Aberdyfi . The park was the first of the three national parks of Wales to be designated, in October 1951, and the third in the UK after the Peak District and Lake District , which were established in April and May 1951 respectively. The park received 3.89 million visitors in 2015. The name "Snowdon" means "snow hill" and is derived from the Old English elements "snāw " and "dūn ",
7820-427: The coast via Harlech to Maentwrog . The A4212 connecting Bala with Trawsfynydd is relatively modern having been laid out in the 1960s in connection with the construction of Llyn Celyn . Three further roads thread their often twisting and narrow way through the northern mountains; A4085 links Penrhyndeudraeth with Caernarfon , the A4086 links Capel Curig with Caernarfon via Llanberis and
7935-418: The creation of a 'National Park Authority' to select areas for designation as national parks. Despite the recommendation and continued lobbying and demonstrations of public discontent, such as the 1932 Kinder Scout mass trespass in the Peak District, nothing further was done until a 1945 white paper on national parks was produced as part of the Labour Party's planned post-war reconstruction, leading in 1949 to
8050-420: The criteria for designating suitable areas: The essential requirements of a National Park are that it should have great natural beauty, a high value for open-air recreation and substantial continuous extent. Further, the distribution of selected areas should as far as practicable be such that at least one of them is quickly accessible from each of the main centres of population in England and Wales . Lastly there
8165-494: The deputy ministers or the counsel general. Following the "yes" vote in the referendum on further law-making powers for the assembly on 3 March 2011, the Welsh Government is now entitled to propose bills to the National Assembly for Wales on subjects within 20 fields of policy. Subject to limitations prescribed by the Government of Wales Act 2006, Acts of the National Assembly may make any provision that could be made by Act of Parliament. The 20 areas of responsibility devolved to
8280-723: The devolved administration rather than the British Government . The Permanent secretary heads the civil service of the Welsh Government and chairs the Strategic Delivery and Performance Board. The Permanent Secretary is a member of His Majesty's Civil Service , and therefore takes part in the Permanent Secretaries Management Group of the Civil Service and is answerable to the most senior civil servant in Britain,
8395-598: The establishment of national parks as part of the post-war reconstruction of the UK. A report by John Dower , secretary of the Standing Committee on National Parks, to the Minister of Town and Country Planning in 1945 was followed in 1947 by a Government committee, this time chaired by Sir Arthur Hobhouse , which prepared legislation for national parks, and proposed twelve national parks. Sir Arthur had this to say on
8510-604: The exception of southwest Llŷn and the Creuddyn Peninsula . In Snowdonia: The National Park of North Wales (1949), F. J. North states that "When the Committee delineated provisional boundaries, they included areas some distance beyond Snowdonia proper". Snowdonia National Park , officially Eryri National Park in English (since 2022) and Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri in Welsh, was established in October 1951. It
8625-595: The first minister and the counsel general. Accordingly, the maximum size of the Welsh Government is 14. In Acts of the Senedd and of the UK Parliament, the expression "the Welsh Ministers" is used to refer to the Welsh government in similar contexts to those where "the Secretary of State" would be used to refer to the British government; it is defined to include only the first minister and ministers, not
8740-536: The inspirational beauty of the "untamed" countryside. Wordsworth described the English Lake District as a "sort of national property in which every man has a right and interest who has an eye to perceive and a heart to enjoy" in 1810. This early vision, based in the Picturesque movement, took over a century, and much controversy, to take legal form in the UK with the National Parks and Access to
8855-877: The interim cabinet formed by Morgan when she was appointed First Minister in August 2024, which was largely a continuation of Gething's . In the September reshuffle, new positions were created, while all existing ministers remained in cabinet (except the Counsel General-designate) but most with amended roles. The September 2024 cabinet is as follows: MS Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs MS Cabinet secretaries and ministers were known as ministers and deputy ministers respectively before 2016, and under Mark Drakeford from 2018 to 2024. They returned to their current names in May 2024 following
8970-399: The land is either open or mountainous land, there is a significant amount of agricultural activity within the park. The national park does not include the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog , which forms a unique non-designated enclave within the park boundaries. The town was deliberately excluded from the park when it was established because of its slate quarrying industry. The boundaries of
9085-592: The landscape. Within these are traces of irregular enclosures and hut circles . There are burial chambers of Neolithic and Bronze Age such as Bryn Cader Faner and Iron Age hillforts such as Bryn y Castell near Ffestiniog. The region was finally conquered by the Romans by AD 77–78. Remains of Roman marching camps and practice camps are evident. There was a Roman fort and amphitheatre at Tomen y Mur . Roads are known to have connected with Segontium (Caernarfon) and Deva Victrix (Chester) and include
9200-467: The largest indentations, and have large expanses of intertidal sands and coastal marsh which are especially important for wildlife: see #Natural history . The northern tip of the national park extends to the north coast of Wales at Penmaen-bach Point, west of Conwy , where precipitous cliffs have led to the road and railway tunnels . There are only three towns within the park boundary, though there are several more immediately beyond it. Dolgellau
9315-464: The latter meaning 'hill'. "Snowdonia" is simply taken from the name of the mountain. The origins of Eryri are less clear. Two popular interpretations are that the name is related to eryr , 'eagle', or that it means 'highlands' and is related to the Latin oriri ('to rise'). The latter is considered more correct, for eryri as a plural form means 'uplands', but it is not any direct form of
9430-534: The local population through jobs and businesses. However, these visitors also bring problems, such as erosion and traffic congestion , and conflicts over the use of the parks' resources. Access to cultivated land in England and Wales is restricted to public rights of way and permissive paths . (Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 there is a right of access for walkers to most but not all uncultivated areas in England and Wales.) National parks are
9545-460: The margins including those at Harlech and Conwy for military and administrative reasons. Most are now protected within a World Heritage Site . Some of Snowdonia's many stone walls date back to this period too. In the Middle Ages , the title Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdonia ( Tywysog Cymru ac Arglwydd Eryri ) was used by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd ; his grandfather Llywelyn Fawr used
9660-479: The means of access for pedestrians to areas of natural beauty; and (iii) to promote measures for the protection of flora and fauna . However, no further action was taken after the intervention of the 1931 General Election . The voluntary Standing Committee on National Parks first met on 26 May 1936 to put the case to the government for national parks in the UK. After World War II, the Labour Party proposed
9775-505: The mixed deciduous type, the commonest tree being the Welsh oak . Birch , ash, mountain-ash and hazel are also common. The park also contains some large (planted) coniferous forested areas such as Gwydir Forest near Betws-y-Coed , although some areas, once harvested, are now increasingly being allowed to regrow naturally. Northern Snowdonia is the only place in Britain where the Snowdon lily ( Gagea serotina ), an arctic–alpine plant,
9890-411: The monarch, on the nomination of the first minister, whose recommendation must be agreed by the Senedd and who cannot be dismissed without the Senedd's consent, but automatically leaves office when a new first minister is nominated. The counsel general may be, but does not have to be, a member of the Senedd. The Act permits a maximum of 12 Welsh ministers, which includes deputy Welsh ministers, but excludes
10005-716: The national parks of England and Wales receive 110 million visitors each year. Most of the time it is possible to achieve both the original two purposes by good management. Occasionally a situation arises where access for the public is in direct conflict with conservation. Following the ethos of the Sandford Principle , the Environment Act 1995 sets down how a priority may be established between conservation and recreational use. Similar provision has been made for Scottish national parks. Although recreation and tourism bring many benefits to an area, they can also bring
10120-523: The natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park) must take precedence under the Sandford Principle . This principle was given statutory force by section 62 of the Environment Act 1995 , although there are no explicit provisions as to how wildlife is to be preserved. The national park authorities also have a duty to foster the economic and social wellbeing of communities in pursuit of these purposes. Funding for national parks
10235-615: The north coast. Largest of these is the Conwy on the park's eastern margin, which along with the Ogwen drains into Conwy Bay . Further west the Seiont and Gwyrfai empty into the western end of the Menai Strait . Part of the east of the national park is within the upper Dee (Dyfrydwy) catchment and includes Bala Lake , the largest natural water body in Wales. A fuller list of
10350-495: The northern reaches of Sarn Helen . There are numerous memorial stones of Early Christian affinity dating from the post-Roman period. The post-Roman hillfort of Dinas Emrys also dates to this time. Churches were introduced to the region in the 5th and 6th centuries. Llywelyn the Great and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd had various stone castles constructed to protect their borders and trade routes. Edward I built several castles around
10465-643: The park standardised its Welsh language lake names , to be also used in English. The national park meets the Irish Sea coast within Cardigan Bay between the Dovey estuary in the south and the Dwyryd estuary. The larger part of that frontage is characterised by dune systems , the largest of which are Morfa Dyffryn and Morfa Harlech . These two locations have two of the largest sand/shingle spits in Wales. The Mawddach and Dwyryd estuaries form
10580-400: The park authorities with a single voice when dealing with government and its agencies. The Campaign for National Parks (formerly Council for National Parks) is a charity that works to protect and enhance the national parks of England and Wales. National parks were first designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 , and in England and Wales any new national park
10695-407: The park boundaries, others straddle it to various degrees. There are numerous SSSIs within the park, the most extensive of which are Snowdonia, Migneint-Arenig-Dduallt, Morfa Harlech, Rhinog, Berwyn, Cadair Idris, Llyn Tegid, Aber Mawddach / Mawddach Estuary, Dyfi, Morfa Dyffryn, Moel Hebog, Coedydd Dyffryn Ffestiniog and Coedydd Nanmor . The following NNRs are either wholly or partly within
10810-418: The park: Allt y Benglog, Y Berwyn (in multiple parts), Cader Idris, Ceunant Llennyrch, Coed Camlyn, Coed Cymerau, Coed Dolgarrog, Coed Ganllwyd, Coed Gorswen, Coed Tremadog, Coedydd Aber, Coedydd Maentwrog (in 2 parts), Coed y Rhygen, Cwm Glas Crafnant, Cwm Idwal, Hafod Garregog, Morfa Harlech, Rhinog and Snowdon. The twelve SACs are as follows: The three SPAs are Dovey Estuary / Aber Dyfi (of which
10925-461: The parks. Natural England is the statutory body responsible for designating new national parks in England, subject to approval by the Secretary of State; Natural Resources Wales designates new national parks in Wales, subject to approval by the Welsh Ministers. All fifteen United Kingdom national parks are represented by the Association of National Park Authorities , which exists to provide
11040-455: The passing of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act . In England and Wales, as in Scotland, designation as a national park means that the area has been identified as being of importance to the national heritage and as such is worthy of special protection and attention. Unlike the model adopted in many other countries, such as the US and Germany, this does not mean the area is owned by
11155-402: The policies and their interpretation are stricter than elsewhere. This is supported and encouraged by the government who regard: Tourism is an important part of the economy of the regions which contain national parks. Through attractions, shops and accommodation, visitors provide an income and a livelihood to local employers and farmers. This income provides jobs for the park. For example, within
11270-579: The principal local authorities covered by the park; the remainder are appointed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (in England) or the Welsh Ministers (in Wales), some to represent local parish or community councils, others to represent the national interest. The Broads Authority also has members appointed by Natural England , Great Yarmouth Port Authority and
11385-403: The rivers and tributaries within the area is found at List of rivers of Wales . There are few natural bodies of water of any size in Wales; Snowdonia is home to most. Besides Bala Lake, a few lakes occupy glacial troughs , including Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris at Llanberis and Tal-y-llyn Lake south of Cadair Idris . Llyn Dinas , Llyn Gwynant , and Llyn Cwellyn to
11500-466: The romantic poets were often only maintained and managed in their existing state by human activity, usually agriculture. By the early 1930s increasing public interest in the countryside, coupled with the growing and newly mobile urban population, was generating increasing friction between those seeking access to the countryside and landowners. Alongside of direct action trespasses, such as the mass trespass of Kinder Scout , several voluntary bodies took up
11615-517: The south and Porthmadog and Penrhyndeudraeth in the west are immediately beyond the boundary but still identified with the park; indeed the last of these hosts the headquarters of the Snowdonia National Park Authority. Similarly the local economies of the towns of Conwy , Bethesda , and Llanberis in the north are inseparably linked to the national park as they provide multiple visitor services. The lower terminus of
11730-460: The south and northeast and of Cenozoic era strata on the Cardigan Bay coast, though the latter are concealed by more recent deposits. Low grade metamorphism of Cambrian and Ordovician mudstones has resulted in the slates , the extraction of which once formed the mainstay of the area's economy. The principal ranges of the traditional Snowdonia are the Snowdon massif itself, the Glyderau ,
11845-492: The south and west of Snowdon feature in this category, as do Llyn Cowlyd and Llyn Ogwen on the margins of the Carneddau . There are numerous small lakes occupying glacial cirques , owing to the intensity of past glacial action in Snowdonia. Known generically as tarns , examples are Llyn Llydaw , Glaslyn and Llyn Du'r Arddu on Snowdon, Llyn Idwal within the Glyderau and Llyn Cau on Cadair Idris . There are two large wholly man-made bodies of water in
11960-532: The south. The national park has an area of 823 square miles (2,130 km) (the fourth-largest in the UK), and covers most of central and southern Gwynedd and the western part of Conwy County Borough . This is much larger than the area traditionally considered Snowdonia, and in addition to the five ranges above includes the Rhinogydd , Cadair Idris , and Aran ranges and the Dyfi Hills . It also includes most of
12075-515: The southwest end of Bala Lake ( Llyn Tegid ), Dyffryn Ardudwy , Corris , Trawsfynydd , Llanbedr , Trefriw and Dolwyddelan . Six primary routes serve Snowdonia, the busiest of which is the A55 , a dual carriageway which runs along the north coast and provides strategic road access to the northern part of the national park. The most important north–south route within the park is the A470 running from
12190-399: The state. National parks in the United Kingdom may include substantial settlements and human land uses which are often integral parts of the landscape, and within a national park there are many landowners including public bodies and private individuals. Archaeological evidence from prehistoric Britain shows that the areas now designated as national parks have been occupied by humans since
12305-539: The subordinate legislation which the assembly had the power to make prior to 2007. The assembly's functions, including that of making subordinate legislation, in the main, transferred to the Welsh ministers upon separation. A third body was also established under the 2006 Act from May 2007, called the National Assembly for Wales Commission. It employs the staff supporting the new National Assembly for Wales, and holds property, enters into contracts and provides support services on its behalf. The 2006 Act made new provision for
12420-421: The title Prince of north Wales and Lord of Snowdonia . The 18th century saw the start of industrial exploitation of the area's resources, assisted by the appearance in the late part of the century of turnpike trusts making it more accessible. The engineer Thomas Telford left a legacy of road and railway construction in and around Snowdonia. A new harbour at Porthmadog linked to slate quarries at Ffestiniog via
12535-472: The twelve national parks in England & Wales in having a third purpose that carries equal weight, that of: The Scottish national parks have two further statutory purposes: Following the Environment Act 1995 , each English and Welsh national park has been managed by its own national park authority, a special-purpose local authority , since April 1997. Previously, all but the Peak District and
12650-582: The word eryr in the meaning 'eagle'. Before the boundaries of the national park were designated, "Snowdonia" was generally used to refer to a smaller upland area of northern Gwynedd centred on the Snowdon massif . The national park covers an area more than twice that size, extending south into the Meirionnydd area. This difference is apparent in books published before 1951. In George Borrow 's 1907 Wild Wales he states that "Snowdon or Eryri
12765-448: Was a department in the Government of the United Kingdom with responsibilities for Wales. It was established in April 1965 to execute government policy in Wales, and was headed by the Secretary of State for Wales, a post which had been created in October 1964. The post however had no Welsh electoral mandate, and over the ensuing years there were complaints of a "democratic deficit". For eleven years prior to 1997 Wales had been represented in
12880-584: Was built as a mail coach road by Thomas Telford between London and Holyhead ; it enters the park near Pentrefoelas and leaves it near Bethesda. Other A class roads provide more local links; the A493 down the Dovey valley from Machynlleth and up the coast to Tywyn then back up the Mawddach valley to Dolgellau , the A496 from Dolgellau down the north side of the Mawddach to Barmouth then north up
12995-399: Was created by the Government of Wales Act 1998 , which followed a referendum in 1997 . As initially established, the Welsh Government had no independent executive powers in law (unlike, for instance, the Scottish ministers and British government ministers). The National Assembly was established as a body corporate by the Government of Wales Act 1998 and the executive, as a committee of
13110-458: Was designed to clarify the respective roles of the assembly and the government. Under the structures established by the Government of Wales Act 2006 , the role of Welsh ministers is to make decisions; develop and implement policy; exercise executive functions and make statutory instruments. The remainder of the 60 assembly members in the National Assembly scrutinise the government's decisions and policies; hold ministers to account; approve budgets for
13225-400: Was the third national park in the United Kingdom, following the Peak District and Lake District in April and May of the same year. It covers 827 square miles (2,140 km) in the counties of Gwynedd and Conwy , and has 37 miles (60 km) of coastline. The park is governed by the Snowdonia national park authority , which has 18 members: 9 appointed by Gwynedd, 3 by Conwy, and 6 by
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