The Cambrian Mountains comprises 467 square miles of Mid Wales and is home to some of the darkest skies in Europe, but don’t take our word for it; the Elan Valley Reserve has been awarded a Silver tier International Dark Sky Park and with over 9 Dark Sky Discovery sites, you will be hard pressed to find anywhere darker in the UK.
The Dark Sky status protects wildlife and plants, and aids in everything from migration to breeding. With less than 10% of the UK population able to open their curtains and experience a truly dark sky, witnessing the stars and the Milky Way first-hand definitely deserves a tick on the bucket list.
Not only does it look amazing, it's good for your health and wellbeing too - Being exposed to articular throws our circadian clock out, and natural darkness helps to reset this - So by visiting the Cambrian Mountains not only will you be getting a fab holiday, but it's also good for your health. Win Win.
Cambrian Mountains & Elan Valley Dark Sky Guide
New to stargazing? no problem. The guide plots the best stargazing spots in the Cambrian Mountains and also some handy tips on what to look out for!
Places to Stay In the Cambrian Mountains
Acorn Court Country House
Llandrindod Wells
Guest Accommodation with 3 rooms, £71-£200 prpn, £76-£86 prpnb
Towns in the Cambrian Mountains
Rhayader & Elan Valley
Rhayader, the first town on the River Wye, is said to be the oldest in mid Wales. Sitting in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains at the upper end of the Elan Valley, Rhayader has a long history as a market town.
Tregaron & Devils Bridge
Devils Bridge is internationally famous for its waterfalls and narrow gauge Steam Railway. The village is situated at the head of the Rheidol Valley amidst the Pumlumon massif in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains. Nearby Pen Pumlumon Fawr, at 752 metres (2,467ft) is the highest peak in the Cambrian Mountains Range and the area is well-known for its forest and mountain walks.
Llanidloes & Clywedog Dam
For such a small town it punches well above its weight, home to the Hafren Forest, Llyn Clywedog and situated in the Cambrian Mountains, Llanidloes has a way of making you feel like you are a million miles from the noisy congested streets of everyday life when you’re only an hour from the Wales/England border.
What to Do In The Cambrian Mountains
Dyfi Valley & Coast
Mid Wales, SY20 8SR
The Dyfi Valley opens wide as it approaches the Cardigan Bay Coast and ends in sandy beaches and dunes. It cradles the westerly spur of Powys, Ceredigion north of Aberystwyth, and the southern rim of Snowdonia National Park.
Royal Welsh Showground
Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3SY
Location of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society at Llanelwedd and the venue for a number of events throughout the year, including the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show.
Silver Mountain Experience
Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AB
Where history, myth and legend collide in a fantastic day out for the whole family. Embark on an adventure discovering the history of our original Victorian Silver-Lead Mine, or Welsh fantasy and myth theatrical experiences.
Dyfi Forest (NRW)
Gwynedd, SY20 8QJ
The Dyfi Forest is located mainly to the north of the Afon Dyfi between Dolgellau to the north and Machynlleth to the south. Dyfi is a 6000ha forest - a spectacular landscape well worth exploring.
Ty Gwyn Farm
Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5NY
Would you like to try your hand at something different? Perhaps learn a new skill or experience another way of life? Come and learn with us in a relaxed atmosphere.
Welsh Heritage Quilts - Minerva Centre
2 High Street, Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6BY
The Welsh Heritage Quilt Collection contains a large number of antique quilts made in Wales during the 19th and 20th Centuries many from the Llanidloes and Mid Wales area.
Cambrian Safaris Tours
Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion, SY23 3JL
Cambrian Safaris provides excursions into the Cambrian Mountains and of all of Wales in a Land Rover Discovery. Tours can start from your accommodation, Devils Bridge, or Aberystwyth.
Cors Caron Nature Reserve (NRW)
Tregaron, Ceredigion, SY25 6JF
Cors Caron is one of the two remaining large remnants of active raised bog in Wales and is an important refuge for plants, insects, birds and mammals. The bog covers a huge area of around 816 acres and is 6 km in length.
The Bell Country Inn
Llanyre, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6DY
The Bell Country Inn restaurant menu reflects the emphasis on locally sourced ingredients producing fresh flavours that Wales has to offer.
RSPB Ynys-hir Nature Reserve
RSPB Ynys-hir Reserve, Eglyws-fach, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8TA
The RSPB Ynys-Hir nature reserve is a wildlife haven in the heart of Mid Wales. You can wonder from oak woodlands to salt marsh with views across the Dyfi estuary. Perfect for nature lovers & families wishing to discover their wild side.
Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader
Powys, LD6 5BU
A busy, historic market town, Rhayader is named after 'Rhayadr Gwy', a Welsh name for a local waterfall on the Wye. The town is situated in the very heart of Mid Wales in the beautiful Upper Wye Valley sheltered by the Cambrian Mountains.
Rheidol Visitor Centre and Power Station
Rheidol Hydro Power Station, Cwmrheidol, nr Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3NF
The Rheidol hydropower plant is the largest of its kind in England and Wales. Guided tours of the power station are available by prior booking, visitor centre and interactive display.
Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre
Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre, Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AB
Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre sits at the head of the dramatic Melindwr valley with commanding views of Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains. It's an established Red Kite feeding site with multiple outdoor trails to suit everyone.
Llandrindod Wells Golf Club
Clubhouse, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5NY
The course was designed by six times open champion Harry Vardon, and altered some years later by James Braid, to produce, essentially, the superb course of 18 challenging holes, almost 5800 yards in length (par 69), that you see today.
MWT Cymru
The Station, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8TG
Great location at Machynlleth Train Station, this first floor meeting room can be booked for interviews, training sessions, group/association meetings.
Quackers Indoor Play Centre
Newmead Farm, Newbridge-on-Wye, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6HR
Quackers is a childrens play centre and facilities include a cafeteria, themed party rooms, an astro slide, a tube slide, a maze, roller racers, a rope bridge, ball pool and many other exciting features.
Radnor & Miles Restaurant
Metropole Hotel, Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5DY
The Metropole’s award-winning Restaurant is without doubt a most superb fine dining establishment. Our Head Chef is dedicated to using the finest local ingredients and has been awarded an AA rosette for his modern British cuisine.
Hafren Forest (NRW)
Llanidloes, Powys, UK
The Hafren Forest takes its name from the River Severn, the Afon Hafren in Welsh, which takes its rise about a mile from the western boundary of the forest, high up on the slopes of Pumlumon, the highest mountain in Mid Wales.
Pontarfynach | Devil's Bridge
Ceredigion, SY23 3JW
The village of Devil's Bridge, which translated in Welsh is Pontarfynach, means 'The bridge on the Mynach' is internationally famous for its waterfalls, and the Rheidol narrow gauge Steam Railway.
Y Crochan Cafe
Corris, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9RF
Our all-day menu features lots of fresh, seasonal and local produce. Call in for morning coffee, lunches and afternoon tea whilst enjoying the surrounding 9 Craft Studios and a range of visitor experiences including King Arthur's Labyrinth.
