1

2

3

4

What is a National Park?A National Park’s purpose is to: • conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and culture of the area• promote opportunities for the public to understand and enjoy the things that

make the Park special

Following the Second World War, the British Government decided to establish National Parks to encourage people to go out to enjoy the countryside. The first National Parks in Britain were created in 1951.

Theme 1: Ceri discovers facts about National Parks

Fun Facts about British National ParksThere are 15 National Parks in Britain, and here’s a list of them according to the date they were established:

1951 Peak District, Lake District, Eryri (Snowdonia) and Dartmoor1952 Arfordir Penfro (Pembrokeshire Coast) and North York Moors1954 Yorkshire Dales & Exmoor1956 Northumberland1957 Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)

1989 The Broads2002 Loch Laomainn is nan Tròisichean (Loch Lomond and the Trossachs)

2003 A' Mhonaidh Ruaidh (Cairngorms)

2005 New Forest2009 South Downs

The largest National Park in the UK is Pàirc Nàiseanta a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh in Scotland. It is 1,467 square miles which is larger than the country of Luxemburg.

“Hello … My name’s Ceri. I like to discover new facts.Why not come on a journey with me to discover facts about Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.”

Fun facts about Eryri National ParkEryri National Park (1) is the largest National Park in Wales. The area of the Park is 823 square miles or 1,324km². This is:-• Twice the size of Anglesey (2)• Slightly smaller than Pembrokeshire (3)• The same size as Cardiff (4), Merthyr Tydfil (5), Rhondda Cynon Taf (6), Newport (7), Caerphilly (8) and Torfaen (9) all together.

Fun Facts about National Parks of the World

Yellowstone National ParkIn 1872 the first National Park was established, Yellowstone National Park in America. Here you’ll see:

Bison Grizzly Bear Old Faithful Geyser

2

1

3

4

6 87

59

0 100km

PeakDistrict

Eryri

Sir Benfro

BannauBrycheiniog

Exmoor

Dartmoor NewForest

SouthDowns

TheBroads

LakeDistrict

YorkshireDales

North YorkMoors

Northumberland

Loch Laomainn isnan Tròisichean

A' Mhonaidh Ruaidh

Greenland National ParkThe largest National Park in the world is Greenland National Park (Grønlands Nationalpark). It is 375,000 square miles. This is 42 times larger than all of the National Parks of Britain together!

John Muir, a Scottish-born American was very prominent in establishing national parks in America..

In America, the state owns all the land in the parks, which is very different to us. Less than 1% of Eryri National Park is owned by the Authority.

There are 6,555 National Parks across the world! 359 of these are in Europe.

Grønlands Nationalpark

There are 2,381km (1,479 miles) of public foot paths in Eryri National Park. Put them all together, and you could drive winding roads to Bari in Italy, or you could reach the border of Russia as the crow flies.

Here are a few facts about Europe National Parks1.Vatnajökul National Park in

Iceland is the largest in Europe. It is 15,000 km².

2.Ormtjernkampen National Park in Norway is the smallest in Europe and is only 9km².

3.The most northen National Park is Stabbursdalen National Park in Norway.

4.Samariá Gorge National Park in Crete is the most southern.

Hawlfraint - NPS Photo

Hawlfraint - NPS Photo

Ceri identifes landscapes

“The landscape of Eryri is very diverse. ‘Yr Wyddfa’ or Snowdon is here - the highest mountain in Wales (and the highest in Britain to the south of Scotland) - along with miles of beaches, hundreds of lakes, and moorlands of international importance such as Y Migneint.”

Land types in EryriTheme 2:

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)Height 1,085mSize (area) 75.3km²

Meaning The Welsh name of the name ‘Yr Wyddfa’ means grave and it is believed that the giant Rhita Gawr was buried on the mountain. ‘Snowdon’ comes from Saxon “snow dun” meaning “snow hill”.

Land use Agriculture / leisure.

Plants / Snowdon lilly, chough, raven, animals wheatear, goats, sheep.

Threats Path erosion, rubbish, wild goats.

Llyn TegidHeight 163m

Size (area) 10.24km²

Meaning According to theof the name tale, Tegid Foel

lived on the shore of the lake at Penllyn (lake’s end).

Land use Leisure.

Plants / Gwyniad, otter, coot, glutinous animals snail, ruffe.

Threats The effects of foreign species and people on the lake’s habitat.

Y MigneintHeight 479m

Size (area) 142.35km²

Meaning It’s derives from of the name the Welsh name for a plant that lives on wet land, called ‘mignen’ (‘bog’).

Land use Agriculture.

Plants / Sheep, heather, cotton grass, henanimals harrier, golden plover, black grouse.

Threats The marsh-land drying, the effects of acid rain, motor bikes eroding the land, fire.

Morfa HarlechHeight 0m

Size (area) 6km²

Meaning 'Harlech' means of the name high steep rock.

Land use Agriculture/ leisure / forestry plantation.

Plants / Sea-grass, sea couch, animals lyme-grass, orchid.

Threats Erosion of dunes, rubbish from the sea, rubbish from people, fire.

Y Migneint

Morfa Harlech

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)

Llyn Tegid

Fun Fact – Did you know that oak woodlands used to cover Eryri’s valleys? Only a small part of these old woodlands are left today. These are Nature Reserves within Eryri National Park.

Land types in Eryri

Urban

Mountainous land

Lowland

Hills

Large lakes

Valleys

Climate change is a threat to all of the above!Fun Fact –

Marsh-land such as

Y Migneint are being

acknowledged as an

environment that is rarer

than tropical rain forests.

10-15% of the world’s

marsh-land is in Britain.

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved 100022403, 2009.

Ceri meets the people of Eryri

“Did you know that 25,682* people live in Eryri. These would all fit into the lower level of the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff if all the little children sat on someone’s lap.” ”

The people of EryriTheme 3:

These people live in villages and towns in Eryri.Let us meet some of them:

Name: Iwan ArnoldAge: 33Number 2of children: Main Welshlanguage: Area: BeddgelertJob: Estate Assistant

I chose to work in Eryri because I was born here. I love roaming around, talking to interesting characters, and discovering the history of the small communities. In my work for Eryri National Park I maintain walls, paths, car parks, gates and stiles. I use a van to go to work. My hobbies are walking and climbing in Eryri.

Name: Bernhard LanzAge: 47Number 3of children: Main Germanlanguage: Area: DolgellauJob: Hotel Manager

I have lived in Eryri for seven years and I’m a Hotel Manager in one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. From day to day I supervise the work of the hotel, working in the kitchen, and offering service to the customers. When I have time, my hobbies are sports, reading and travelling.

Name: Siwan HywelAge: 26Main Welshlanguage: Area: Ysbyty IfanJob: Welsh for Adults Co-ordiantor

Although I lived away for a few years, I am now back where I grew up. I work with Welsh learners at the Welsh for Adults Centre in Bangor. I share a car with three others to go to work which is better for the environment and for my pocket! I am a member of Eryri Young Farmers Club, and I enjoy socialising with friends. When I get the time, I like walking in Eryri and enjoying the glorious views.

Name: Mari Wyn LloydAge: 12Main Welshlanguage: Area: LlanbedrJob: School pupil

I go to Ysgol Ardudwy in Harlech and there’s about 300 pupils there. Every morning, the mini bus picks me up at 7.30 to go to Llanbedr where I catch the school bus to Harlech. Our school hours is from 8.15 to 2.20 because that is when the train comes from Penrhyndeudraeth and Barmouth to Harlech. My favourite subjects are Art, Welsh and PE. In my spare time, I like to help on the farm and ride my bike. On Monday evenings, I go to the local Young Farmers Club. I love living here because there’s not a lot of cars here, and it’s quiet and safe.

Name: Joe RobertsAge: 60Number 3of children: Main Welshlanguage: Area: Y BalaJob: Butcher

I have lived in Eryri all my life, and I run a butcher’s shop which has been in our family for over 150 years. My son and daughter are part of the business as well, and there are 10 people working in the shop. My job is to cut the meat and serve by the counter. I use the van to go to my work. In my spare time I enjoy watching football, spend some time in the garden, and meet up with friends.

Iwan Arnold

Bernhard Lanz

Siwan Hywel

Mari Wyn Lloyd

Joe Roberts

Beddgele

rt

Populat

ion 617

Betws Garmon

Population 22

Aberdyfi

Population 781

Harlech

Population 1,406

Y BalaPopulation 1,980

DolgellauPopulation 2,678

Betws y Coed

Population 534

Ysbyty IfanPopulation 95

Croesor

Population19

© Hawlfraint y Goron. Cedwir pob hawl. 100022403, 2009.

*Census Data 2001

Ceri investigates visitorsVisitorsTheme 4:

Where do the visitors come from? - The visitors come from every part of the world. 3.4 million visitors come from the United Kingdom,

especially from different parts of Wales and England. Let us look at the charts below.

What do visitors do in Eryri?A lot of people come to enjoy the countryside, many to take part in outdoor activities, and others to travel around the area and visit the small towns and villages.

62% of all the day visitors visit Betws y Coed.

94% of all visitors have been to Eryri before.

Look at the chart below to see what visitors do when they visit Eryri.

“Did you know that there’s 10 million day visits to Eryri every year?”

Fun Facts! – A number of Hollywood stars have filmed here in Eryri such as Angelina Jolie (Tomb Raider 2), Richard Gere and Sean Connery (First Knight), and Uma Thurman (Robin Hood).

When do they come here?

Mr Jenkins, North London –

I will never forget this beautiful

place – heaven on Earth!”

Nick & Lisa Rail, California, USA –

“Wild & Woolly!”

Barbara Jones, Surrey, England –

“No better scenery anywhere!”

I. P. Jauth, Germany –

“I love and admire Snowdonia.”

O. Hoffman, Ontario, Canada –

“Beautiful – the country and it’s

people!”

N. Hough, South Africa –

“Too beautiful to describe!”

Heather Robbins, Burton-on-Trent, England–

“I it here!”

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)WalkersBetws y CoedSNPA Information Centre

SNPA Information Centre

Biking

Castle

Paths

Caravan & Camping Sites

Golf Course

Horse Riding

Fishing

Other visitor attractions

Water Sports

Fun Fact! –Did you know that the word used for the most popular villages and towns for visitors is ‘honeypots’? Like bees around honey pots

people are attracted to them.

AberdyfiBeach

Castell y

Bere

Llanfihangel y Pennant

Abergwynant

Horse Riding

Y BalaSailing - Llyn Tegid

Harlech

Golf and Castle

Hawlfraint y Goron (2009) C

roeso Cymru

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved 100022403, 2009.

Coed y Brenin

Mountain Biking

Hawlfraint y Goron (2009) Croeso Cymru

FarmingThousands of years of farming have given us the following:• Traditional fields with interesting shapes and names• Field boundaries (hedges, fences, stone walls)• Old and new farm buildings• Open terrain with no trees and no apparent boundaries

There are lots of sheep in Eryri. Most of them graze the uplands. The landscape and the weather in Eryri do not favour growing many crops.

Theme 5:Ceri goes to work

Industry in Eryri

Fun Fact – Did you know that wool was a very important industry in Bala and Dolgellau in the 19th century? To this day, you can see the old tracks used to carry wool from Bala down to Bermo.

MiningIn the 19th century the mining industry was very important in Eryri. Copper, gold, lead, iron and slate were all, in their turn, mined in Eryri.

You can see evidence of the old industry on Eryri’s landscape to this day – old ruins, slate waste, and inclines..

Some of the quarrymen who used to work in the quarries would live in barracks during the week. They would only go home on Saturday night and return yearly Monday morning.

Fun Fact – Did you know that slate is compressed and heated mudstone?

TourismBy today, the main industry in Eryri is tourism. Thousands and thousands of visitors visit Eryri to do all kinds of activities such as walking, cycling, climbing and much more! The effects of tourism can be seen everywhere.

Fun Fact – There are more small railways in Eryri than in any other National Park in the world.

“People have been using the land of Eryri for farming since 5,000bc. You can see some of their remains on the land to this day.”

Shearing

Blaenau Ffestiniog

Snowdon Railway

Land Use in Eryri

Large Lakes

Forestry

Lowland pasture

Upland pasture

Quarries / Mines

Slate

Gold

Copper

Lead

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved 100022403, 2009.

Graph to show what work the people of Snowdonia do today

Iron

Hawlfraint - Gwasanaeth Archifau Gwynedd

*Census Data 2001

But Eryri National Park Authority would like to see more people using public transport to travel around the area. Therefore, the Authority is contributing towards supporting the ‘Snowdon Sherpa’ bus service. The bus connects all the main car parks and villages around Snowdon. People can leave their car and relax on a bus to start on their journey. The bus is also very useful for those people who live and work in the area. Few rural areas have a regular bus service like this.

Thema 6:Ceri goes travelling

“Did you know that 92% of the visitors travel to Eryri in a car and that most of them use their car to travel around Eryri? As there are only limited car park spaces in some places, people tend to park where they shouldn’t do so.”

Travelling in Eryri

The map shows the routes taken by the bus service. Are Eryri’s roads as straight as this? I wonder how it would look on the map opposite?

Fun Fact! – The name ‘Sherpa’ comes from Nepal. This is the name given on the people who carry equipment and goods to ‘base camp’ at the foot of Everest before the mountaineers walk up to the summit. The first team to reach the summit of Everest practised in Eryri and you can view some of their equipment at the Pen y Gwryd Hotel.

Which other ways are there of travelling

around Eryri?

Are there some ways better than others?

What happens if there are too much cars on Eryri’s

narrow lanes?

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved 100022403, 2009.

S4 Snowdon Sherpa

S96 Snowdon Sherpa

S1 Snowdon Sherpa

S6 Snowdon Sherpa

S2 Snowdon Sherpa

Public Railway

Leisure Railway

Thema 7:Ceri maps Eryri

“I really like reading maps. Join me in the fun of finding locations on the map.”

2. In or Out?Which villages/towns are within Eryri National Park, and which are outside the boundary?

Village/Town

Conwy

Machynlleth

Y Bala

Llanberis

Harlech

Betws y Coed

Dolgellau

In OutGrid Ref

7070

7000

9030

5060

5030

7050

7010

Direction

North

South

East

West

Town/Village Grid Ref

3. Puzzles3.1 This town is right in the middle of Eryri National Park, but it’s not within the Park. Can you name it?

3.2 How many ‘Morfa’ (‘coastal marsh’) are there in Eryri? What are their grid references?

3.3 In which grids can you see the following features?

3.4 There are eight youth hostels in Eryri. Which one is the most...

Features

Highest number of camping sites

No town nor village

Three youth hostels

Grid Reference

Direction

Northern

Southern

Eastern

Western

Grid Ref

10

00

90

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

10

00

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

40 50 60 70 80 90 00

40 50 60 70 80 90 00

1. 1. Address Trawsfynydd is in grid

reference 7030.

Can you name the town/ village to the North, South, East and West of Trawsfynydd?

4. Going on a journeyCeri wishes to travel from Betws y Coed (7050) to Dolgellau (7010).

On the journey he wishes to have a picnic by a castle and visit an abbey .

4.1 What are the road numbers that Ceri will be travelling along?4.2 Where will Ceri have a picnic?4.3 What is the name of the Abbey?

“When travelling through Eryri, Ceri wishes to visit every attraction listed in the key on the map! Can you arrange a journey for Ceri that visits these attractions? You should write down the attraction’s grid reference and note by which town/village the attraction can be seen so that Ceri can find it.”

Information Centre

Historical building

Castle

Abbey / Church

Museum

Garden / Arboretum

Nature reserve

Preserved railway

Other tourist feature

Viewpoint

Picnic

Walks/trails

Camping and caravan site

Golf course

Youth Hostel

G

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved 100022403, 2009.

90

For further information, contact the Education Officerson 01766 772600 or email addysg@eryri-npa.gov.uk

For further information on Snowdonia National Park visit or website: www.eryri-npa.gov.uk