Parkwood Outdoors Dolygaer is a high quality, experienced outdoor activity centre set in the scenic Welsh countryside between rolling hills and overlooking a vast lake.
We love outdoor adventure in our truly unique setting and want everyone to enjoy it as much as we do!
With a team of passionate experienced Instructors, we are committed to delivering a safe, unique and memorable experience making Dolygaer the perfect place to enjoy some of your favourite activities or try something completely new.
Parkwood Outdoors Dolygaer is owned by Parkwood Leisure; one of the UK’s largest leisure providers who have an impressive 20 years of experience in bringing leisure, fitness and family activities to communities across the country. We understand the importance of leisure time and Parkwood Outdoors Dolygaer is able to bring those 20 years of experience together to offer an impressive range of activities, accommodation and well qualified staff to cater for groups of various sizes and make your visit a memorable one!
Where we are
Located in the south of the Brecon Beacons, Parkwood Outdoors Dolygaer is a short 15 minute drive north of Merthyr Tydfil and only 30 minutes from the picturesque tourist town of Brecon. The centre can be found among rolling hills, overlooking the Pontsticill Reservoir, providing a scenic location for the centre’s base and accommodation. The centre is surrounded by vast scenery allowing you to be completely submerged in the outdoors for the duration of your stay. The centre is approximately a 45 minute drive from the M4 at Cardiff and an hour from the M50.
The nearest rail station is at Merthyr Tydfil which would require additional transport to get to Dolygaer.
Meet the team
Mike Smith
General / Centre Manager-
British Canoeing – L5 Raft, L4 Kayak, L3 Canoe with 5*, SUP DSM provider, Child Protection
Mountain Training – SPA, ML, BELA
Mountain Biking – MIAS L2
Archery – GNAS
British Cave Association – L1 Cave
Rescue 3 – SRT and WRT Instructor
Royal Yachting Association – L2 and Safety boat
Management – IOSH Managing Safely, IOSH Managing fire safely in sports facilities, Higher diploma in adventurous activities. Diploma in Leisure and Tourism.
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Michael J.R. Smith is the General Manager of Parkwood Outdoors, Dolygaer in South Wales. He has been a member of British Canoe for twenty years and has spent most of that time working in the outdoors leisure industry and travelling, – usually simultaneously.
He has worked in several countries and boated on five continents, from Argentina to New Zealand, including trips on the Zambezi in Africa and the Bohti Koshi in Nepal. He maintains that he never misses an opportunity to get outside. He has achieved 5 stars in canoeing as well as kayaking and leads courses for Stand Up Paddleboarding. He is also an instructor for Rescue 3, passionate climber and more recently has venues underground becoming an cave instructor in many local caves.
His article discussing ‘What Makes the Perfect Raft Guide’ was recently published in The Paddler.
Mike enjoys running courses for instructors and guides and frequently his students afford enthusiastic testaments as to his teaching abilities and water skills. He has such a contagious passion for the outdoors that many of those under his tutelage have gone on to successful careers in the outdoors, including competitive rafters for Great Britain.
Off the water, he is married to Sara, an American originally from San Diego and they have two daughters. He enjoys taking them along on his travels and getting them involved in the outdoor world as much as possible. Although their youngest daughter has only just turned one, both girls have spent many hours on the water in boats with their father.
Mike is fully involved in the development of Parkwood Outdoors and will be running outdoor courses throughout the year. He can be contacted by email at mike.smith@parkwoodoutdoors.co.uk.
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White water activities
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Food, whiskey and socialising with friends and family.
Matt Perrott
Activities Manager-
MLTB – SPA (Single Pitch Award/Rock Climbing Instructor)
MLTB – ML (Mountain Leader)
UKCC – Level 2 Kayak Coach
UKCC – SUP Instructor
RYA – Powerboat Certificate
GNAS – Archery Leader
AOFA – 16 Hour Mountain First Aid Certificate
EDUCARE – Safeguarding Certificate
Erca – Generic Rescuer
APSI – Shooting Instructor
Cave – Level 1
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Matt has been in the Outdoors all of his life. He Studied Outdoor Education at College before landing his first Instructor job at the age of 18, some 20 years ago. Matt has a lot of expeience in particluar with Clmibing where we has managed various centers both in the UK and abroad.
Matt has worked at a number of Outdoor Centres. He has experience of working with Schools (primary and Secondary), Colleges, Universities, Youth Groups, DofE Groups, Children in Care, SEN+D groups, Corporate and private clients.
On a daily basis Matt has been responsible for instructing and managing a team of instructors. This includes holding daily meetings, line managing staff, training, observing, signing staff off to lead activities and providing constructive feedback.
Matt is also responsible for a lot of the paperwork with groups including Sales/bookings, Interviewing staff, application form selection, hiring staff, logistics management of minibuses and trailers, ordering kit for activities, writing Risk Assessments/ Operating Procedures and Emergency Action Plans.
Personal experience of Winter and Summer Mountaineering, Rock Climbing across Europe, White Water Kayaking, Snowboarding, Mountain Biking, Surfing, and Stand Up paddleboarding.
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Rock Climbing and White Water Kayaking
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Working on his farm, white Water Kayaking, rock climbing and socialising with family and friends.
Becs Falconer
Full Instructor-
Rescue 3 – WRT -Pro
British Cave Association – L1 Cave
UKCC – Level 3 Sheltered water canoe and kayak coach, SUP DSM
Royal Yachting Association – Powerboat Certificate Level 2
Royal Yachting Association – Sailing Level 2
16 Hour First aid
Gorge Walking Instructor
Academic – Degree in Outdoor Education
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Becs has been in the Outdoors all of her life. She studied Outdoor Education at University while working her first Instructor job at the age of 18. Bec’s has a lot of experience in particular with canoeing and gorge walking.
Becs has worked at a number of Outdoor Centre’s while being freelance and has experience with all ages from primary school, secondary school, corporate groups and family and friend parties.
She spends her free time practising the outdoor sports she enjoys like paddle boarding. -
Stand up paddle boarding, gorge walking and caving.
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Socialising with family and friends. Paddle boarding and caving
Luke Enoch
Instructor-
British Canoeing – Paddle Sports Instructor, SUP Open Water Leader
Gorge walking instructor
Rescue 3 – WRT -Pro
MLTE – Rock climbing Instructor and Mountain Leader
Caving Instructor
Academic – PGCE, Welsh Speaker
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Luke is Welsh through and through and proud of it! He’s is super experienced in the outdoor sector and is our newest member to the Dolygaer team. He brings with him and passion for the outdoors, a wealth of knowledge and the Welsh banter to keep us on our toes!
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Caving and climbing
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Slaying dragons
Matt Clapham (AKA - Lil Matt)
Instructor-
British Canoeing – Paddlesports Leader and Core caoch. SUP DSM and Open water leader.
Gorge walking instructor
Rescue 3 – WRT -Pro
Mountain Leader and Climbing Instructor Trained
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Lil Matt has risen up the ranks with us, starting with us as an assistant and developing on to be a great and enthusiastic instructor. Groups love Matt for his passion and his endless energy.
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Paddle boarding and mountain biking
Hobbies: Paddle boarding and Surfing
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Paddle boarding and Surfing
Don't forget to check-out the great days out available through our sister-sites at parkwood leisure
Plantasia Tropical Zoo
An indoor zoo in the heart of Swansea City CentreStep through a giant tree into a real living rainforest zoo for a great day out for all the family.
Spend the day exploring this vibrant and magical world as you crawl through the undergrowth, come face to face with pythons and tarantulas and dare to climb high in the canopy with the parrots!
Are you brave enough to take on Wales’ only Crocodile Feeding experience ?
Cardiff International Pool and Gym
A friendly and inclusive approach to fitnessSupporting all ages and abilities, Cardiff International Pool is located in the heart of Cardiff Bay. We’re here to help you meet your fitness goals with a spacious gym, 50m swimming pool, group exercise classes and health suite.
Buxton Pavilion Gardens
a Grade II listed historic venue which superbly shows off the Victorian splendour of BuxtonSituated in the heart of the spa town, the Pavilion Gardens is a beautiful example of the heritage that runs throughout the town. A venue that is truly a place for all the family to visit. We offer 23 acres of gardens to explore with a boating lake, miniature train, play areas, fountains and wildlife to see.
Rufford Abbey Country Park
Just a few miles east of famous Sherwood Forest, and one of Nottinghamshire's favourite attractions, there's so much to explore and enjoy!Set in beautiful parkland, Rufford Abbey Country Park offers over 870 years of history, from its origins as a 12th century cistercian monastery to its period as a Jacobean era family home. There is plenty to explore; with walks through the native woodlands, a lake and gardens plus a range of attractions, activities, and places to relax and eat.