Partners sought to enhance visitor experiences at outdoor destinations in Wales - Natural Resources Wales

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has launched a marketing exercise to find the right partners to enhance visitor experiences, while protecting nature, at two of Wales’ most unique outdoor destinations.

We are seeking partners to run the Visitor Centres and surrounding areas, with the option of additional buildings and land, at Bwlch Nant yr Arian, near Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, and Coed y Brenin, near Dolgellau in Eryri National Park, Gwynedd.

Borth Community Hub is already successfully providing activities, workshops and food and drink at Ynyslas Nature Hub, formally the Visitor Centre, at Dyfi Nature Reserve.

Head of Sustainable Commercial Development Neil Stoddart explained: “This is a unique opportunity to build on the success of two of Wales’ most beautiful and exciting outdoor destinations. We have designed a process to give a range of prospective interested parties, from community groups, small enterprises and start-ups, right through to commercial businesses, the chance, the time, and the right support, to make a bid. The aim is to find long-term, sustainable partners who can enhance the sites for the benefit of local communities, local businesses and visitors, whilst protecting nature.”

A strategic review in 2024, resulted in NRW-provided retail and catering services ceasing at the three Visitor Centres in March 2025. This allowed us to focus our resources on achieving our core mission to support nature’s recovery, tackle climate change, and minimise pollution.

The marketing exercise will run until Summer 2026 to allow a competitive dialogue from a range of potential bidders and is being delivered in partnership with Newmark, a commercial real estate advisor.