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, £73-£120 prpn, £70-£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
Salop Leisure - Machynlleth
Treowain Enterprise Park, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8EG
Salop Leisure Ltd is a leading supplier of static, touring and motor homes - all of which have evolved from basic units to the luxury models of today.
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.
Denmark Farm Conservation Centre
Denmark Farm Conservation Centre, Betws Bledrws, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 8PB
The Denmark Farm Conservation Trust near Lampeter is a unique conservation centre pioneering the restoration of biodiversity to Britain's farmed countryside.
Crychan Forest (NRW)
Llangammarch Wells, Powys, UK
The Crychan & Halfway Forest is set in beautiful countryside nestling between the Brecon Beacons & the Cambrian Mountains. Miles of waymarked trails take you through tranquil gorges, along old drover's routes & past cascading waterfalls.
Parc Penrhos
Llanrhystud, nr Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 5AY
Parc Penrhos is a family owned leisure & holiday complex with hotel & holiday park accommodation, restaurant & golf club with immaculate 18 hole course & 9 hole academy course situated between Aberystwyth & Aberaeron.
Rhiannon Centre
Main Square, Tregaron, Ceredigion, SY25 6JL
The Rhiannon Celtic Design Centre is an outstanding showcase of all that is best in Welsh jewellery, arts and crafts. Includes a special jewellery showroom and purpose built display workshops where you can watch our jewellers at work.
Corris Steam Railway & Museum
Station Yard, Corris, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9SH
In the Heart of the Land of the Little Trains, The Corris Railway is a narrow gauge (2 foot 3 inch) railway whose origins date back to the 1850's.
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.
The Metropole Hotel
Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5DY
The Metropole can host small meetings for six people as easily as a large conference of 300. There are 14 separate function rooms available and our variety of room size allows almost any configuration of seating.
Corris Mine Explorers
Corris Craft Centre, Corris, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9RF
Get kitted up before venturing into the abandoned workings of this secret underground world. Explore and feel the dark, damp mine's history come alive as the expert guide shares its stories. Winner of Best Experience in Mid Wales 2019 / 20
Y Plas Machynlleth
Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8ER
A grade II listed Georgian mansion. Formerly the home of the Marquess of Londonderry, the property was left to the people of Machynlleth in 1948 and eventually aquired by Machynlleth Town Council in 2008.
Willow Globe Theatre
Llanwrthwl, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6NN
This unique nature trail brings Shakespeare's words to life as it links his words back to the animals and plants which inspired them; while taking you on a memorable journey along this magical and enchanting trail.
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.
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.
Caer Beris Manor Hotel
Garth Road, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3NP
Caer Beris Manor Hotel is the perfect venue for your wedding reception or ceremony with four rooms licensed for ceremonies.
Devil's Bridge Falls
Devils Bridge, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3JW
Devil's Bridge Falls, 12 miles from Aberystwyth, is a spectacular waterfall attraction and nature trails in the heart of the Mid Wales Cambrian Mountains. It is one of the 'Must See' natural features in Wales.
Tregaron
Ceredigion, SY25 6JL
Tregaron nestles in the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains near the source of the river Teifi. In the 19th Century, it was a thriving market town and an important stop for drovers on their routes through Wales to English markets.
Llandrindod Wells
Powys, LD1 6BL
Llandrindod Wells, or 'Landod' as it is known to locals, is the administrative centre of Powys and one of its largest towns. As the name suggests, it owes its origins to the spring waters that were recognised to have healing properties.
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.
Y Tabernacl
Penrallt Street, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AJ
Throughout the year MOMA WALES shows Modern Welsh Art, in a series of constantly changing exhibitions featuring Wales' top artists. Works from the growing Tabernacle Collection are shown in rotation.
