Welcome to the Cambrian Mountains Society!

We are a Welsh charity dedicated to promoting Mid Wales’ uplands: the Pumlumon massif, the Elenydd (including the Elan Valley), and Mynydd Mallaen.  This area, one of the most beautiful, colourful, biodiverse and varied, landscapes in southern Britain, is also one of the remotest and least known.  We welcome people of all communities, Welsh- or English-speaking, who share our interest in the heritage, natural history and future of  the region, to join us.

Something for everyone

Every year we run Members’ walks and visits to interesting sites in and around the Cambrians.  We work with the local Wildlife Trusts and others to conserve the plants, birds and aquatic life of the uplands and record how they’re changing over time.  We hold an annual autumn gathering  with speakers on all kinds of topics, from local history and archaeology to natural history.  On the cultural side, we run competitions in poetry, art and photography. Our second international Cambrian Mountains bilingual poetry competition took place in 2025 with a prizegiving taking place in March 2026.  We’re active in responding to any government consultation on policy matters affecting the communities living in the Cambrians.  In 2022 we gained nearly 21,000 signatures on our Petition seeking a Senedd debate on designation of the uplands as a new Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (now known as National Landscapes), and we continue to work to take that proposal forward.  In 2024-5 we participated in a project to learn more about what local communities themselves think about the state of the hills and want for the future of their area, and we’re working on a comprehensive survey of the region’s bird life and a separate report on the area’s biodiversity, to help inform national and local government decision-making which might affect it.

You can read all about the region, the opportunities it offers and the issues it faces here on our site – and, if you’re inspired by what a unique and special place this really is, then join up and urge your County Councillor and Senedd Member to support the campaign.