Surrounded by green hills and lush forest in the shadow of an old power station you wouldn’t expect to find a freshwater lagoon that’s 300 metres long and an ideal spot for surfing… but that’s what you’ll find in the Conwy Valley beneath the mountains of Snowdonia.

Welcome to the Surf Snowdonia Adventure Parc, a world-first inland surf lagoon, that occupies the site of a former aluminium factory at Dolgarrog in North Wales.

Creating the perfect artificial wave has been a goal for the surfing industry for some time and many concepts have been mooted, but Surf Snowdonia, which cost £12m to build, is the first top-quality facility of its kind to attract investment and open to the public.

A powerful head-high wave rises at the centre of the lagoon, peels perfectly for more than 150 metres, and then dissipates softly as it hits the shore.

Surf Snowdonia uses WaveGarden technology, pioneered in Spain, and is suitable for all ability levels with waves coming at a rate of 18 an hour.

Expert surfers can surf the two-metre peak next to the central pier, intermediates can ride a 1.2m section in the middle, while beginners can develop their skills on the whitewater at the edge.

In addition to Surf Snowdonia’s surf lagoon, which is fed from mountain reservoirs, there is also “Crash and Splash” obstacle course and a spectacular catapult called “Blob”.

The centre also offers guided stand-up paddleboard and kayak safaris on the River Conwy, as well as glamping accommodation and catering facilities.