A newly-opened Cardiff beauty spot has had more than 100,000 visitors in just nine weeks. Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs opened to the public in July 2023 as a hub for health and wellbeing and a haven for wildlife and offers a range of water and land activities and a café.

For the seven years before opening Welsh Water had been working with partners and the local community to bring the reservoirs back into operational use. On Friday, July 28, the site opened to visitors where they can enjoy food, sport activities, walks, and wildlife.

The aim of the attraction is to create a hub for health and wellbeing while protecting and enhancing the biodiversity of the site. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.

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Once a popular sailing, fishing, and walking spot, in 2001 it came under threat when the site was fenced off and ultimately drained by American-owned power giant Western Power Distribution as it repeatedly tried and failed to get planning permission for 300 homes at the site. Members of the community vowing to fight for its future formed the Reservoir Action Group (RAG).

Built in the late-19^th century, Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs are a Victorian landmark – covering 110 acres of green and blue space and home to lots of different types of flora and fauna. The site is a unique natural resource of significant ecological value encompassing two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for waxcap fungi and overwintering birds.

The rare waxcap fungi is one of the key factors that helped save the site from being destroyed to make way for a housing estate. Up to 27 species of waxcap fungi fruiting bodies have been recorded during annual fungi surveys. The fungi can be found on the embankments of both reservoirs and autumn is the perfect time to see them in their full glory with November being the height of the waxcap season.

Head Ranger Owain Manuel said: “Visitors to Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs can see a wide variety of mushrooms at different times and at different locations around the reservoirs. When we get into the height of the waxcap season in November, visitors will be able to spot them along the reservoir banks across most of the site. There should be a prevalent display of Scarlet, Crimson, Snowy, Butter, Golden, Meadow and Parrot waxcaps.

“It is important that we protect this rare and special species and the site’s SSSI status and therefore we ask visitors to keep to the paths and not to stand on grass to take pictures, so that the sensitive fruiting bodies aren’t trampled on and to prevent the underground fungal structures becoming damaged through compaction and erosion.”

Throughout the autumn a range of events take place at Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs, including Wings of Wales on Friday, November 3. Over half term there will also be ‘Youth Watersports Taster Sessions’ available to pre book.

Attraction Manager James Griffith said: “It has been wonderful to see so many visitors coming to Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs over the summer months and it has already established itself as a centre for water activities including open water swimming sessions - which have been hugely popular.

“Autumn is a wonderful time to visit – with the beautiful waxcap fungi appearing and flourishing. We have now also launched our programme of events – which during the autumn includes Halloween themed sessions and the ultimate falconry experience – Wings of Wales. Any time of year is a good time to visit Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs and our team look forward to welcoming all visitors – new and old – this autumn.” It is open Monday to Sunday from 9am and closes at 5pm.