By Martin Wright from the Cambrian Mountains Society:
"Where are the Cambrian Mountains? Even many hill enthusiasts couldn't give an exact answer to this question. Yet the Cambrians form one of the most extensive and important areas of upland in Southern Britain.
Sprawling between the National Parks of Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons, this region of five hundred square miles offers a landscape that rivals either in terms of quality, variety and wildness. It is, however, one of the least appreciated and most unprotected of our national treasures.
Denied the recognition of National Park status, the Cambrians have been left open to misuse and degradation. The future of the region now hangs in the balance. Will it be accorded the recognition and careful stewardship that it deserves? Or will it be given over to insensitive development and exploitation?
The Cambrian Mountains Society was formed in the spring of 2005 with the aim of working to achieve a better future for the Cambrian Mountains. Its members believe that the unique landscape, environment and heritage of the Cambrians are too valuable to be sacrificed to indiscriminate development.
The Society would like to see the region officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and will be working to achieve this through lobbying, campaigning and - equally important - more general consciousness raising work. The Cambrian Mountains have been left open to despoliation because too many people do not know they are there, and the Cambrian Mountains Society aims to change this.
Membership is growing rapidly, and the Society is proud to have the noted naturalist and broadcaster Iolo Williams as its president - "We must act now to secure a sustainable and positive future for the landscape, wildlife and people of the Cambrian Mountains," stated Mr. Williams.
The Society aims to do exactly that, and is organising a programme of events, which will highlight the beauty, value, and vulnerability of the region."
Written by Martin Wright from the Cambrian Mountains Society.
Martin's Cambrian Mountains photo tour...BBC News report from May 2005...
your comments
Bernard Wellings Colwyn Bay
I have argued against wind turbines in the beautiful hills of Wales for over 10 years.To no avail. By the time we realise what we have destroyed it will be too late. My suggestion is to use tidal power and to place the turbines out at sea. I dont like them on the horizon. Indeed we have an ugly offshore windfarm visible from my home town of Colwyn Bay. But I would rather a thousand turbines on the horizon than one on the Welsh hills.
Sun Jun 7 21:11:14 2009
Lorraine Stanton Manafon
I would support any measures to protect such an area of outstanding beauty & imporance. We have only recently moved to the area but the scenery and tranquility were part of what we relocated for and it needs ot be protected for future generations.
Thu Apr 30 15:27:08 2009
Linda Malcolm, Cornwall
In 1973 I lived briefly in the mountain region and saw my first Kite. The area is beautiful and should be protected.Does the pub at Cilycwm still close its doors on a Sunday?
Mon Apr 14 09:30:55 2008
Andrew Hawkey from Swyddffynnin, nr. Tregaron
As an incomer of 34 years' standing, I'm continually astonished by the power of a small number of greedy individuals, all of whom make great play of their Welshness, and who claim to represent the interests of the upland communities, to propogate the concept of smothering the uniquely beautiful Cambrian Mountains with wind turbines. Me, I've had enough. I'm moving to France. (Yes, I know, nuclear power, etc., etc., but at least democracy works over there!)
Tue Jul 17 08:51:29 2007
Gregory Vincent
I am very sad to hear of wind farms in a remote and sparsely populated area of beauty. There are too few areas like this in southern Britain. I very much believe in wind and solar power - and other clean forms of energy. But why can't they be out at sea; or better still, in cities ... then the supply could be where the demand is. If it isn't, then the energy has to be transported to where it's needed, which will cause MORE problems. And, let's face it, cities are full of buildings anyway. What difference will a few more make. In fact, huge wind turbines could look quite spectacular as part of an urban skyline ... but in the countryside, they just look out of place. That's my opinion, anyway.
Thu May 10 09:41:55 2007
Mark Simmonds
We live in the Cambrians up next to Llyn Brianne Resevoir. It is beautiful and we never tire of the views. We would love the mountains to be designated a National Park. Let me know how I can help the campaign to get the status and protection they need. If you would like to see more photos - let me know.
Fri Mar 2 09:40:12 2007
Ruth Lomax from Halifax West Yorks
Nature is now all too precious to waste. Protect it now.
Fri Jan 26 10:52:00 2007
Amanda Stronach, New Zealand
What activites and facilities are available at the cambrian mountains
Wed Nov 1 10:00:19 2006
jean patmore llanyre
Remove the ugly wind farms over the cambrians. Why do we have to have them in this beauty area? The cambrians mountains should become a national park. I live and work here and love them. Do not spoil them.
Sun Jul 9 15:56:56 2006
Matt from Abergele
I always thought 'cambrians' was a term used for the whole of the hills of Wales. Wales is basically just one big hill, if it were in the Himalayas it would be a very small hill. But the Cambrians of Mid Wales are very nice and sparsely populated. Is Radnor Forest classed as part of it? That's an overlooked area. Over 2,000ft as well. Other than that you have Pumlumon, Drygarn Fawr and many hills pushing 2000ft. The red kites last nesting place was here, till England got them reintroduced. Cheating that is, so I suggest the golden eagle gets reintroduced to Wales.
Wed Jul 5 10:01:15 2006
Chris Kay (25) Norwich
The hills, cairns, lakes, forests and drovers ruins of the cambrians were (and still are) my playground as a youth. Their silent beauty is stunning, they deserve to be protected.
Wed May 24 09:14:20 2006
Dennis Ambler, New Quay
Appalling destruction of a beautiful natural heritage by the plethora of wind farms, existing and planned.
Sun Jan 22 11:48:08 2006
Helen from Brynna
I was born in the Cambrian Mountians and often go back to visit and stay. It is a wonderful green wilderness, but only a few make the effort to go there. Don't just pass through on the way to North Wales, stop and look around you! It should definitely have protection before it's too late.
Tue Jan 17 11:00:27 2006
Richard Peach, Walsall
Yes they should be protected. Much of Wales provides a variety of valuable landscapes and habitat. My knowledge of these hills is vague but I would support such a measure.
Wed Nov 23 08:59:04 2005
Monica Lomow, Water Valley, Alberta, Canada
Protection? Definitely. I know the area well, and having it exploited or developed in any way would be a crime.
Tue Nov 8 16:36:58 2005
Do you think the Cambrian Mountains need protecting? Are you familiar with this area? Add your comments and thoughts here:
Martin Wright from Ponterwyd has loved the Cambrian Mountains since he was a boy. In 2005, he helped set up a new society to protect and celebrate this upland area of Mid Wales. Here, he explains why. 
