To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site.  Learn more

Allow cookies
Memorial to Prince Llywelyn the Last at Cilmeri

Book Tickets Online

About

Builth Wells is a MId Wales market town centrally located in the old county of Radnorshire. It has been popular with tourists since the second half of the nineteenth century when large numbers of visitors came to Builth to 'take the Waters'. This industry was further supported by the arrival of the railways in 1860 when the word 'Wells' was added to Builth. 

Every year the town plays host to the Royal Welsh Show in July (see www.rwas.co.uk for dates and details), and the Royal Welsh Showground hosts many events, fairs and festivals throughout the year. It offers everything one might expect from a town of its size; sports and leisure facilities include an 18 hole golf course, pony trekking and renowned angling spots on the River Wye which runs through the town.

Builth also provides an excellent base for exploring the beautiful countryside - either on foot or on horseback, and for delving into the history of Wales's last prince, Llewelyn, who was murdered just outside Builth in December 1282. An impressive monument to Llewelyn is located in Cilmeri where he fell, a ten minute drive from the town.

A new bridge, on the present site was constructed in 1779, and coupled with the development of a new road linking north and south Wales in the 1820's, catalysed further substantial growth of the town. Most of the Builth town as seen today dates back to Victorian and Edwardian times when the discovery of health springs in the area gave the town a new lease of life. The first recorded mention of the mineral waters at Builth dates as far back as 1740, however, it was not until the development of Park Wells with its Saline, and the Glanne Wells with its sulphur in the 1830s that Builth's reputation as a spa town flourished.

HISTORY & CULTURE
Builth Wells was founded by the Normans when Philip de Braose constructed a timber Motte and Baily Castle at a commanding point overlooking the ancient crossing of the Wye. However, the name Builth - in Welsh 'Buellt', is older than the town to which it refers, having originally applied to the 'Cantref' or 'Hundred' - an land area used in the old Welsh administrative system.

Edward 1 rebuilt the early Norman fortress as a stone castle in 1277, unfortunately however, no traces of the castle apart from its site remain. It was beneath the shadow of that castle that the town grew up, and took its name from the church dedicated to St Mary, or Mair in Welsh, that was established beyond the castle walls. The town therefore became known as 'Llanfair ym Muellt' - St Mary's in the Cantref of Builth. The town flourished, so much so that in 1277 it became a Borough Town and was granted a Royal Charter by Edward I. It was to continue to thrive over the next four centuries.

Events

Saturday, 13th July 2024 - Saturday, 13th July 2024

Nicky Grist Stages winner 2022NIcky Grist StagesThe 2024 Nicky Grist Stages will take place on Saturday 13 July.
more info

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Disabled toilets

Parking

  • EV Charging - Fast EV Charging points at Groe Car Park, Builth Wells, LD2 3BL. Full details on https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/9355/Electric-Vehicle-Charging
  • Parking with charge - Pay & Display Car Parks: The Groe LD2 3B; Smithfield LD2 3AN; both long stay for all vehicle types.

Property Facilities

  • Public toilets

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Located on the A470 main North/South Wales road

 

 

Public Transport Directions

Accessible by Public Transport: Builth Road station is 2 miles away.

Llanfair ym Muallt | Builth Wells

Type:Town

Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3BU

Add Llanfair ym Muallt | Builth Wells to your Itinerary

What's Nearby

  1. Alex Allpress Pottery Schools run bespoke, half day and full day Experience Days, Family…

    0.05 miles away
  2. The Cors y Llyn Reserve is one of several mires in the old county of Radnorshire and is…

    3.2 miles away
  3. Quackers is an indoor and outdoor play centre and facilities include the Cowshed Cafe,…

    4.86 miles away
  4. A broadleaved woodland that sits alongside the River Ithon. Teeming with birds and…

    5.84 miles away
  1. The 13-acre Llandrindod Lake, an unexpected feature of the town with a magnificent dragon…

    6 miles away
  2. The National Cycle Museum has approximately 250 machines on display within the 6,000…

    6.23 miles away
  3. Walk along a gorge to the Water-Break-its-Neck waterfall, a popular destination for…

    10.62 miles away
  4. The Elan Valley Estate attracts a wide variety of visitors and a good starting point for…

    10.84 miles away
  5. Carngafallt is a wonderful place to see birds or simply enjoy the view. The moorland…

    10.84 miles away
  6. The Elan Valley Estate in Powys, Mid Wales is truly epic and sprawls over 72 square…

    10.85 miles away
  7. The Gigrin Red Kite Centre on the outskirts of Rhayader is an upland sheep farm providing…

    10.92 miles away
  8. Abergwesyn Commons, on the southern edge of the Mid Wales Cambrian Mountains, is a wild…

    11.28 miles away
  9. Stacked with textiles, art, jewellery photographs, prints and ceramics from a host of…

    11.32 miles away
  10. Ancient trees of this age are one of the rarest habitats in Europe and the UK has a large…

    11.66 miles away
  11. Bronllys Castle near Talgarth is a sturdy stone tower with a turbulent history. It was…

    12.3 miles away
  12. Hay Castle sets the imagination soaring. Once a great medieval stronghold, the castle and…

    12.97 miles away
Previous Next

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss