Content creator who left bathtub on Pen y Fan apologises

BBC Published Jul 23, 2026 Reviewed Jul 23, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Tom Christopher reported that Bannau Brycheiniog National Park had classified the incident as fly-tipping and he was uncertain whether he would face a fine, stating he was in his overdraft and could not afford to pay one.

Tom Christopher, a 25-year-old content creator from Swansea, carried a bathtub up Pen y Fan (886m above sea level) in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park on 17 July and left it at the summit, prompting environmental concerns and a report of fly-tipping by park officials.

886 m · Pen y Fan2907 feet · Pen y Fan

Tom Christopher stated he planned to retrieve the bathtub two days after leaving it on Pen y Fan, but Cardiff Rugby academy players discovered and retrieved it the day after he left it.

1 day · time between leaving bathtub and discovery by Cardiff Rugby academy players2 days · planned retrieval timeline

Tom Christopher says he left the bathtub on the mountain's summit after being urged by hundreds of people on social media

A content creator who took a bathtub up a mountain and left it there has apologised for what he called an "honest mistake".

Tom Christopher, 25, posted footage online of him carrying the tub up Pen y Fan in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, also known as the Brecon Beacons, in flip flops during hot weather on 17 July, before bathing in it at the summit.

Christopher, from Swansea, said he had planned to take it back down immediately, but people asked him to keep it there so they could take pictures - sparking backlash about its impact on the environment.

A day later Cardiff Rugby academy players found the tub while doing volunteering work, and handed it to park officials.

Christopher said he wanted to make a "cool, wholesome video which made people smile" by carrying the bath up Pen y Fan, which stands 2,907 feet (886m) above sea level.

Christopher says leaving it up there was an "honest mistake"

"It was a complete honest mistake," Christopher said.

"I obviously didn't mistakenly leave it up there, I didn't forget - it was a mistake in the fact I thought I was doing the right thing with people telling me it was 'awesome' and 'cool'.

"I should never have left anything up the mountain. I'm glad the message of this story is that, even though I'm the villain, everyone's sticking up for the national park.

"It's a dirty mistake, I shouldn't be leaving anything up the mountain.

"It's my fault for thinking it was a good idea but when clearly I should have been thinking more about keeping our nature clean," he said.

After being urged by people to leave it there, he said he was going to go back two days later and send it back down on wheels.

He added he had received many messages criticising his actions for leaving it there.

Christopher said the national park has told him the incident had been reported as fly-tipping, and he is unclear if he will be fined.

"I haven't got the money. I'm in my overdraft, I haven't got the money to do anything.

"If it comes, I'll be gutted. I hope there's an option to do some voluntary work to try and pay the fine."

Bannau Brycheiniog National Park has been approached for comment.

Cardiff Rugby academy players stumbled on Christopher's bathtub while carrying out essential maintenance work on the mountain, and helped rangers retrieve it.

Writing on Facebook, the academy described it as an "additional and unexpected team building exercise".

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