skip to top navigation skip to main navigation skip to content skip to site search skip to basket

Rhayader / Rhaeadr Gwy

Rhayader is a busy, historic market town, named after 'Rhayadr Gwy' a Welsh name for a local waterfall on the Wye. It is actually the very first town on the banks of the beautiful River Wye and has long been an important centre for the surrounding farming community with its flourishing livestock market.
Rhayader, the first town on the River Wye, is said to be the oldest in mid Wales. Sitting in the shadow of theCambrian Mountains at the upper end of the Elan Valley, Rhayader has a long history as a market town. Because of its location at a natural crossroads between east, west, north and south, Rhayader has welcomed travellers for centuries. In days gone by it was a very important staging post, especially for the London to Aberystwythline. The journey from Rhayader to Aberystwyth today (along the B4574) is described by the AA as being one of the top 10 most scenic in the world.
Today, this interesting market town is a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside. The town boasts a lovely riverside walks and is the home to Welsh Royal Crystal.

Gigrin Farm, just outside the town, is a designated Red Kite feeding area, and visitors can watch the breathtaking aerial feats of these beautiful birds who have returned from the point of extinction in Wales.