Discover: A personal perspective on Eryri
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Date posted: 27/02/2025
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Time to read: 3 mins
Ioan Gwilym reflects on his personal connection to this iconic mountainous landscape – and the importance of reclaiming its Welsh placenames.
There’s a moment that stays with me—standing on the summit of Yr Wyddfa (known in English as Snowdon), looking out across the landscape where mountains meet the sea. It’s a view that never fails to take my breath away, a reminder of why I do what I do.
That day, I was there as part of COPA1, the first youth environmental conference on Yr Wyddfa. As young voices from across North Wales spoke about their hopes for the future and the challenges that face our environment, I felt an immense sense of pride and responsibility.
My connection to this land runs deep—my family has farmed in Eryri (known in English as Snowdonia) for over eight generations, and that sense of belonging has shaped my life and career. I studied in Aberystwyth and later at Liverpool John Moores University, but the pull of home was too strong for me to stay away. Working in Eryri is more than just a job; it’s a privilege. The best part of my role is sharing the stories of this remarkable landscape, its people, and its culture—ensuring that the essence of Eryri is understood, protected, and celebrated for all to enjoy.
What’s in a name?
Eryri is more than just a place of outstanding natural beauty. It holds the stories of those who have walked its paths, farmed its lands, and built their lives around its rugged landscapes. For me, the connection goes beyond the mountains and biodiversity—it’s about the people. Every person who experiences Eryri forms their own bond with it, shaped by personal history, culture, and identity.
One of the most significant initiatives I’ve been part of recently is the protection of the Welsh names for our landscape, especially Eryri and Yr Wyddfa. Welsh place names are not just labels on a map; their meaning carries centuries of history, language, and identity.
The decision by the authority to only officially recognise these names was a milestone, one that reinforces the uniqueness of our National Park and its heritage. When I hear Eryri being used by non-Welsh speakers and media, I feel a sense of continuity, of respect for the generations who came before and those who will come after.
More than just a landscape
Through my role in communications, I have the privilege of working across all departments, ensuring that the work of the National Park Authority is understood and supported. Whether it’s sustainable tourism initiatives with Cyngor Gwynedd, strengthening partnerships with partner organisations across North Wales, tackling climate change, or launching the Eryri podcast, my focus is always on bringing people closer to the heart of this landscape.
The podcast, in particular, has been a personal highlight, offering me the chance to have conversations with individuals from all walks of life, locally or internationally, who share a passion for Eryri or the global National Parks family.
I often find myself reflecting on that day on Yr Wyddfa; on the energy of young people eager to protect our planet as well as the inspirational staff that I have the pleasure of calling my colleagues. Moments like these remind me why National Parks are more than just landscapes —t hey are living, breathing spaces, shaped by the people who experience them.
Eryri has always been home to me, but I encourage everyone to discover their own connection with this land. Whether you come here for the first time or have known these mountains for a lifetime, there is always something new to uncover. Eryri is not just a place — it’s a story waiting to be told, and I am grateful every day to be a part of it.
Ioan Gwilym is the Head of Communications for Eryri National Park Authority.
It’s not every day you get to see one of our National Parks in biscuit form on @britishbakeoff!
Last night, The Great British Bake Off contestant @itsdoctoryan created a beautiful biscuit mosaic inspired by the Broads National Park, perfectly capturing the view at St Benet’s Mill, Thurne.
And it wasn’t just a feast for the eyes as the mosaic was made using treacle and ginger, honey and lemon, cocoa and malted milk, and pistachio biscuits.
Two great things combined: a beautiful National Park view and delicious biscuits. What could be better than that? 💚
Photo: Channel 4
#GBBO #BakeOff #NorfolkBroads @broadsnationalpark
You’ve likely heard of one - but what does it actually do?
Our 15 Parks wouldn’t be able to function without the authorities working behind the scenes to keep them running.
And each authority relies on people. People within the community, volunteers, staff and members. People that run businesses, or partner as organisations. People that are skilled and knowledgeable in a variety of areas from wildlife to accessibility.
Our National Parks are full of people and action, and it’s the Authorities that bring them all together.
💚
#NationalParksUK #NationalParkAuthorities
The Yorkshire Dales has one of the highest concentrations of caves and caverns of any of our 15 National Parks - a whole landscape hiding beneath the ground.
Our National Parks don’t just protect and preserve the landscapes we see every day. They also help care for historic and unique places discovered by our ancestors, like Ingleborough Cave and Gaping Gill, both of which were shrouded in myth and legend until they were explored by Victorians in the 1800s.
There’s so much more to our National Parks than meets the eye and sometimes, quite literally beneath the surface 👀
#YorkshireDales #GapingGill #Ingleborough
A week on from National Parks UK’s Big Volunteer Weekend, we’re still celebrating the people who make a difference across our National Parks.
Last weekend, hundreds of people came together across all 15 National Parks to give their time, share their skills and support our landscapes.
But volunteering in our National Parks doesn’t happen just one weekend a year. All year round, volunteers play an incredible variety of roles – from leading guided walks and supporting education, to conservation, planting and caring for our landscapes.
Every volunteer makes a valuable contribution to protecting our natural and cultural heritage. We simply couldn’t do what we do without you. 💚
So, to all our volunteers: thank you for your time, energy, enthusiasm and everything you bring to our National Parks.
If you know someone who volunteers in a National Park, help us spread the thanks by sharing this post. 🌿
#Volunteers #NationalParks #NationalParksUK
Mae’r Bele yn un o famaliaid prinnaf Cymru, ond mae eu niferoedd yn tyfu yn raddol. Mae hynny’n newyddion da i’n coetiroedd ac i’r Parciau Cenedlaethol, sy’n darparu rhai o’r cynefinoedd pwysicaf ar gyfer bywyd gwyllt ledled Cymru a Phrydain.
Ym Mannau Brycheiniog, mae’r prosiect adfer wedi gosod blychau nythu yn y coed, ac mae gwaith monitro wedi nodi presenoldeb y Bele, gan gynnwys grwpiau teuluol. Mae’r ffilm arbennig hon yn dangos un ohonynt ar waith. 🐾
Mae’n atgof hyfryd o’r hyn sy’n bosibl pan ddaw coetiroedd iach a gwaith cadwraeth arbenigol at ei gilydd i roi’r gofod sydd ei angen ar rywogaethau prin i wella.
Pine Martens are one of Wales’ rarest mammals, but they’re slowly making a comeback. That’s good news for our woodlands, and for National Parks, which provide some of the most important habitats for wildlife across Wales and Britain.
In Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons), the recovery project has installed treetop den boxes, with monitoring identifying pine martens, including family groups. This special footage shows one in action. 🐾
It’s a lovely reminder of what can happen when healthy woodlands and specialist conservation work come together to give rare species the space they need to recover.
#BreconBeacons #BannauBrycheiniog #PineMartins #Wales
It’s the Autumn Equinox 🍂
Our National Parks are always changing in time with the rhythm of nature, but this becomes particularly noticeable when autumn arrives.
Deer begin to rut, spiders’ cobwebs glisten in the fresh light, fungi become more prominent, and leaves begin to change colour.
What changes have you noticed so far? 🧡
#Autumn #AutumnEquinox #NationalParks
“You look after the National Park not for yourself, but for people who are coming, the ones who are following you.”
These are the words of Ron Wood, who has been volunteering for the Lake District National Park for over 60 years. His story reflects the vital role volunteering plays across our National Parks: keeping them thriving, communities invested, and people connected to and caring for our landscapes.
Over the decades, Ron’s incredible journey has seen him remain steadfast in his commitment through droughts, hand, foot and mouth disease, and the ever-changing rhythms of nature. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: his dedication to looking after the environment for those who come after him.
You can read Ron`s full story by clicking the link in our bio or learn more about volunteering at nationalparks.uk/volunteering 🔗
📸Photos by @lakedistrictnpa
#LakeDistrict #Volunteering #NationalParks
A quiet autumn transformation is beginning to take place. 🍁
Bracken gradually fades to burnt oranges. Mist sweeps across the horizon. Grasses brown and trees begin their annual shaking of leaves.
Our National Parks are never still. They are constantly changing and transforming with the seasons - a living rhythm of growth, decay, colour and renewal.
These four photographs perfectly capture our Parks on the cusp of autumn 📸
1. Dartmoor @ryanbrowningphotography
2. Lake District @jonny.gios
3. New Forest @acornsandscapes
4. Northumberland @calbrownphoto
#Autumn #NationalParksUK
