If you’d wandered through the grounds of Rhosydd Bach last spring, you might’ve noticed a sleepy, overgrown patch of land tucked away in a corner on one of our paths,a bit boggy., somewhat forgotten, the sort of place you’d expect to find Crazy Nell chasing frogs or rolling in something questionable (and she often did).

But fast forward to the tail-end of this summer, and that once-soggy corner has been lovingly transformed into something rather special: a restored and reimagined wildlife lake, with the help of a 13-tonne hymac, hopefully will be buzzing with wildlife, and teeming with the sort of natural magic that only Mother Nature can conjure.

A Lake with a Purpose

This wasn’t just a whim or a decorative flourish. The renovation of our lake is part of a much bigger picture, one painted with green values, sustainability, and a deep-rooted respect for the land we’re lucky enough to call home. At Rhosydd Bach, we don’t just want to surround ourselves with nature; we want to help make it happen, support it, nurture it, and give it room to thrive. 

Over the past 20 years of being here, we call ourselves caretakers, custodians, looking after it till the next generation. We have planted over 6000 native trees, created wildlife corridors, and let corners just to do their own thing. We have Owls, Hares, Rabbits, Pheasants, as well as a colony of over 200,000 native bees.

And what better way to add to this ever-evolving program than to renovate an old lake? We cleared invasive vegetation, reshaped the banks, and gently deepened the basin to create varied habitats, shallows, and deep water. In the spring, we will introduce native aquatic plants to encourage oxygenation and biodiversity, add safe shallow zones for birds to preen and paddle, and let the surrounding grasses and wildflowers go a bit wild (with Nell’s begrudging permission).

The result? A lovely balance between a managed space and one that looks like it’s always belonged here.

The September Rains

I’ll be honest, it has sat empty for 3 months due to the best, driest summer we have had in over 20 years, but once the September rain came to visit, and it did with a vengeance, it filled within a few days. 

Only days later, the transformation was already underway. Damselflies danced over the water. Reed warblers returned with their scratchy songs. Wild ducks have claimed it as their new favourite spa destination. And we’ve even spotted a shy heron doing a bit of low-key surveillance, as if we wouldn’t notice. With some luck, given time, bees, butterflies, frogs, and other small members of the family we call Mother Nature will join the party, drawn by the promise of water, food, and safe habitat. In an increasingly unpredictable climate, these micro-habitats are not just welcome—they’re essential.

Why It Matters 

It’s easy to forget, especially in a place as naturally beautiful as Pen Llŷn, that nature sometimes needs a helping hand. Fragmentation of habitat, pollution, and human pressures can all take their toll, even in rural North Wales.

Small lakes and ponds like ours are biodiversity hotspots. They offer vital drinking and breeding grounds, natural pest control, and even help reduce flooding and store carbon. Think of them as nature’s multi-tools—small but mighty.

And while we’ll never claim to solve the planet’s problems with a single pond, we do believe that every action matters. Every plant, every bee, every insect, it all adds up to something meaningful.

Living Our Values at Rhosydd Bach

Sustainability isn’t a box-ticking exercise for us—it’s a way of life. Whether it’s sourcing local materials for our cottages, reducing plastic use, or encouraging guests to explore by foot or bike, we’re always looking for ways to lighten our environmental footprint.

This lake project? It’s simply a natural extension of those values. A living, breathing part of our commitment to giving back to the land that gives us so much.

We want guests to hear the frogs at dusk, see the dragonflies flash blue in the sunlight, and feel, even if only for a moment, completely at peace in the gentle, timeless rhythm of nature.

And if Crazy Nell decides to leap in after a duck or two… well, we’ll count that as her unique way of communing with the wild.

Want to See It for Yourself?

The lake is just one of the many reasons we love Rhosydd Bach—and we’d be delighted for you to come and experience it for yourself. Bring your binoculars, your sketchbook, or just a good book and a flask. There’s a bench with your name on it (probably next to a damp dog).