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You are here: Destinations > Central Powys

Central Powys | Heart of Mid Wales

The heart of Mid Wales.

First town on the River Wye, Rhayader aka ‘The Outdoors Capital of Wales’ is home to the spectacular dams and reservoirs of the Elan and Claerwen Valleys.

Llandrindod Wells, or 'Llandod' as it is known to locals, is Wales' most central town. The term 'Llandrindod Wellness' or 'Llawen-drindod' reflects Llandod’s spa town heritage and the importance of wellness. Their traditional town emblem features Hygieia, the Goddess of Health. Llandrindod Wells Lake is a peaceful place to walk, run, cycle or just sit and watch the wildlife, do a spot of fishing or hire a boat to explore the lake from the water. Visit the annual Victorian Festival and The National Cycle Museum, also in Llandrindod Wells.

The area around Knighton in Powys is perfect walking country. Knighton is unique in Wales in that two National Trails meet - Offa's Dyke Path and Glyndwr's Way. A visit to the Offa's Dyke Visitor Centre on West Street is a must. Knighton is also home to the Spaceguard Centre, an independent observatory which monitors the potential threat to our planet posed by near earth objects.

Presteigne, (Llanandras in Welsh), was once the county town of Radnorshire and is at the heart of the Marches on the border of Wales and England. The surrounding countryside is breathtaking, and the drive from Presteigne to Aberystwyth was voted one of the ten most beautiful drives in the world by the AA. Just to the west are Radnor Forest and Offa's Dyke. Go slightly south-west and you can browse the book shops of Hay on Wye.

Builth Wells is on the banks of the River Wye. The Royal Welsh Showground plays host to Wales's Royal Agricultural Show in July each year and a number of smaller shows and fairs throughout the year.

Must-See Attractions in Central Powys

Elan Valley Estate & Visitor Centre

Elan Valley is just 3 miles from Rhayader on the southern edge of the Cambrian Mountains in Mid Wales. The area is famous for its spectacular dams and Victorian architecture and it is also a designated International Dark Skies Park, perfect for stargazing. There is a large Visitor Centre at Elan Valley which is a good starting point for your visit.

Hergest Croft Gardens

Created over 100 years by three generations of the Banks family, there are hidden valleys, woodland glades, open parkland, gloreous flower borders and striking autumn colour.

The Judge's Lodging, Presteigne

Wander through the stunningly restored judge's apartments, study the books, sit in the judge's chair, even pump water in the kitchen, for this is an historic house with a difference - you can touch!

Want to Canoe?

River Wye Canoe Hire and Guided Adventure Tours.

Towns to Visit

Builth Wells hosts the Royal Welsh Show. Rhayader is the gateway to the Elan Valley dams and red kite country. Llandrindod Wells is a Victorian spa town with parks and a lake. Knighton and Presteigne are quiet border towns with strong identities.

Inspiration

Llandrindod Wells

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, Llandrindod Wells owes its origins to the spring waters.
Llanfair ym Muallt | Builth Wells

Builth Wells is home to the Royal Welsh Show, red kites and the final resting place of Wales' last prince, Llewelyn the Last.
Llanandras | Presteigne

Presteigne, (Llanandras in Welsh), was once the county town of Radnorshire and nestles at the heart of the Mid Wales Marches on the border of Wales and England. Presteigne and Norton have been designated by DarkSky International as the very first Dark Sky Community in the UK.
Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader

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.
Tref-y-Clawdd | Knighton

Knighton is a Mid Wales Marches town with a remarkable landscape and rich history. Located on the scenic Heart of Wales railway line, it makes a great base to explore the Offa's Dyke Path or Glyndwr's Way National Trails.
Cambrian Mountains | Wild Heart of Wales

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Royal Welsh Winter Fair

Address

Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3SY

Telephone
01982 553683

requests@rwas.co.uk

Builth Wells

Dates

From:

30 Nov 2026to1 Dec 2026

As one of the finest prime stock shows in Europe, the Winter Fair draws crowds from far and wide to enjoy two-days packed full of competitions, festivities and Christmas shopping.
Llandrindod Railway Station

Address

Station Crescent, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5BB

Telephone
01597 822053

Llandrindod.bookingoffice@tfwrail.wales

Llandrindod Wells

Llandrindod railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line that runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Hergest Croft Gardens Autumn Plant Fair

Address

Hergest Croft Gardens, Ridgebourne Raod, Kington, Herefordshire, HR5 3EG

Telephone
01544230160

gardens@hergest.co.uk

Kington

Dates

From:
11 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00

Welcome the arrival of autumn at the beautiful Hergest Croft Gardens with a fantastic plant fair surrounded by stunning seasonal colour. Browse a wonderful selection of plants from specialist growers and nurseries, with plenty of inspiration for…
The Epynt Way

Address

Sennybridge, Brecon, LD3 9RG

enquiries.epynt@gmail.com

Brecon

THE EPYNT WAY is a 65 km long distance path around the circumference of the Sennybridge Training Area. It is open to walkers, equestrians and mountain bikers. The trail is well marked with frequent, yellow-topped marker posts which have green and…
Offa's Dyke Centre

Address

West Street, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN

Telephone
01547 528753

oda@offasdyke.org.uk

Knighton

The Offa's Dyke Centre is positioned at about the halfway point of the Offa's Dyke Path National Trail and at the start of the Glyndwr's Way National Trail.
The Globe at Hay

Address

Newport Street, Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5BG

Telephone
01497 821762

events@globeathay.org

Hay-on-Wye

The Globe at Hay is an independent arts centre, embracing an ever changing arts landscape; year round we showcase talent found on our doorstep.
Cambrian Mountains | Abergwesyn Common

Address

Nr Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys

Telephone
01654 702653

marketing@mwtcymru.co.uk

Nr Llanwrtyd Wells

Abergwesyn Commons, on the southern edge of the Mid Wales Cambrian Mountains, is a wild and ancient landscape with far-reaching views. The commons stretch for 12 miles between the Nant Irfon valley in the west and Llanwrthwl in the east.
Llandrindod Wells Lake Park

Address

Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6BL

Telephone
01597 822600

llandrindodtic@btconnect.com

Llandrindod Wells

The 13-acre Llandrindod Lake, an unexpected feature of the town with a magnificent dragon statue at its centre, is a perfect place for a gentle stroll or leisure cycle ride.
Wonderwool Wales 2027

Address

Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3SY

Telephone
01938 820495

chrissie@wonderwoolwales.co.uk

Builth Wells

Dates

From:

24 Apr 2027to25 Apr 2027

The award-winning Wonderwool Wales returns 26 - 27 April and celebrates all that’s great about Welsh wool and natural fibres.
Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader

Address

Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Rhayader

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.
Presteigne | Tourist Information

Address

The Judge's Lodging, Broad Street, Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2AD

Telephone
01544 260650

presteignetic@powys.gov.uk

Presteigne

Presteigne has its own Tourist Information Centre, based in The Judge’s Lodging historic building. There is a large amount of local information available, stretching throughout Powys, going into Herefordshire and much of Shropshire.
Cefn Cenarth Nature Reserve

Address

Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5LR

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Powys

Two areas of upland sessile oak woodland connected by a recently felled conifer plantation now replanted with native broadleaved species. An important place for mosses and lichens.
Llanwrtyd Wells | Heritage Trail

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Llanwrtyd Wells

Many of the locations in Llanwrtyd Wells have an interesting history and walking the Heritage Trail is an excellent way of learning about the town and taking in the beautiful surroundings.
Offa's Dyke Path National Trail

Address

Wales, LD7 1EP

Telephone
01597 827580

odpnt@powys.gov.uk

Crossing the border between England and Wales more than ten times in its 293km (182m), the Offa's Dyke Path passes through some of the most attractive landscape.
Hay Castle | Wedding Venue

Address

Hay Castle, Oxford Road, Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5DG

Telephone
01497 820079

helen.lowther@haycastletrust.org

Hay-on-Wye

Hay Castle sets the imagination soaring. Once a great medieval stronghold, the castle and the grounds in the heart of Mid Wales are alive with possibilities once again.
Puccini Gianni Schicchi | Mid Wales Opera Small Stage Autumn Tour - Presteigne

Address

St Andrews Church, Church Street, Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2BS

marketing@midwalesopera.co.uk

Presteigne

Dates

From:
18 Nov 2026Open 19:30 -

Mid Wales Opera presents a full evening of Italian opera, opening with Puccini’s brilliant, one-act comedy Gianni Schicchi, one of the greatest and most sublime of all Italian comic operas.
RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas Nature Reserve

Address

Ystradffin, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0PG

Telephone
02920 353000

gwenffrwd.dinas@rspb.org.uk

Llandovery

This delightful reserve is set in the heart of Mid Wales near Ystradffin, Rhandirmwyn. Dinas is a pleasant circular walk, part of the circuit is steep with difficult terrain. Strong footwear is advised.
Llangammarch Wells

Address

Llangammarch Wells, Powys, LD4 4EE

Llangammarch Wells

Llangammarch Wells lies south-west of Builth Wells and east of Llanwrtyd Wells and is the smallest of the four spa towns/villages of Mid Wales.
Ludlow

Address

Shrophire, SY8 1AS

Telephone
01584 875053

info@ludlow.org.uk

Located 28 miles south of Shrewsbury and 23 miles north of Hereford, the town of Ludlow is significant in the history of the Welsh Marches and neighbouring Wales which is 14 miles to the west.
Knighton Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Knighton, LD7 1DT

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Knighton

Knighton railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Llanwrtyd Wells

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Llanwrtyd Wells

Llanwrtyd Wells is the smallest town in Britain. It is also one of the friendliest, having a long history of catering for the many visitors who today come to enjoy the unspoilt beauty of the surrounding Cambrian Mountains.