Plas y Brenin

Plas y Brenin, the national outdoor activity centre in Eryri

Plas y Brenin is an outdoor activity centre located in Capel Curig, in the heart of Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), North Wales. It presents itself as a national outdoor activity centre and operates under the management of The Mountain Training Trust, a non-profit organisation founded by British mountaineering organisations, which has managed it on behalf of Sport England since 1997.

The centre describes itself as a leader in outdoor instruction and focuses its activity on those starting a professional career in this field, those seeking an adventure holiday and those wishing to progress in mountain sports.

Climbing, mountaineering, paddling and biking courses

The training programme is organised across several disciplines and levels. In climbing and scrambling it covers beginner, intermediate, advanced and qualification levels. In hiking and mountaineering it offers beginner, intermediate, advanced and qualification levels. In paddling it repeats the same structure of beginner, intermediate, advanced and qualifications, and in biking it offers beginner and intermediate levels.

In addition to the level-based courses, the catalogue includes winter courses, winter climbing and scrambling, winter mountaineering and associated qualifications, as well as first aid and rescue training. There are also specific programmes for women, summer camps, the Instructor Development Programme (Fast Track) with a 2027 intake, and the Remote/Exped Leader and Remote/Exped Medic roles.

The centre also offers private guiding and instruction, and a bespoke outdoor adventure option for those who cannot find a course that suits their needs. The "Have a Go at Plas y Brenin" initiative is designed for those who want to try paddling, mountain biking or climbing without knowing where to start.

Instructor training and collaborations

As a national centre, Plas y Brenin trains sector professionals: instructors, managers, expedition leaders, national governing body (NGB) officers and policy makers. The organisation states that it trains both volunteers and professionals to encourage participation in outdoor activities.

The website mentions collaborations with the military and police, as well as with rescue projects, film, television and the Olympic movement, and notes that safety is a central pillar of its operations. Its clients and sponsors include organisations and brands that the site lists without detailing in the available material.

History of the building: from inn to national centre

The building was constructed in 1801 by Lord Penrhyn as the Capel Curig Inn and went on to host British royalty, including Queen Victoria and Kings Edward VII, Edward VIII and George V. In 1870 it was renamed the Royal Hotel and operated as a hotel for more than 150 years, with a brief period as a mountain warfare training centre during the Second World War.

In 1955 it was acquired by the Central Council for Physical Recreation with funds from the King George VI Memorial, becoming a national recreation centre and adopting the name Plas y Brenin, meaning "the place of the king". Since then it has remained a leader in outdoor instruction.

Accommodation, dining and on-site facilities

The centre offers bunkhouse-style accommodation and full board, as well as a bar and restaurant. Its own facilities include climbing and bouldering walls and an outdoor equipment and kit hire service.

The stay offering is complemented by programmes for schools, corporate retreats and events, with a calendar of its own activities and an event gallery. The catalogue includes gift cards from £25.

Events and support programmes

The events calendar announced on the site includes the Expedition Symposium 2026, ShePaddles 2027, Paddle Out 2026, the Mountain Training Association Autumn Conference 2026, the launch of Mike Raine's book, #SheClimbs 2027 and several screenings of the Kendal Mountain Festival, including the Pedal & Paddle, Nature & Environment and Summit Seekers collections.

On the social side, the Mountain Adventure Fund aims to give children from financially disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to experience the mountain environment and acquire tools to improve and maintain their physical and mental health from an early age. The seasonal campaign "Aur y Hydref – Autumn Gold" offers autumn mountain experiences in Eryri National Park.

Location and contact

Capel Curig, Conwy LL24 0ET North Wales · Email: info@pyb.co.uk