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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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Rhayader | Walking & Hiking

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01597 810561

enquiries@rhayader.co.uk

Rhayader

Get off the beaten path and explore everything that Rhayader and the Elan Valley has to offer, from gentle relaxing walks to something to challenging the most experienced climbers.
Glyndwr's Way | Knighton - Llanidloes

Address

Trail Start - Knighton, Knighton - Felindre - Abbeycwmhir - Llanidloes, Powys, LD7 1EN

Telephone
01597 827562

helen.tatchell@powys.gov.uk

Knighton - Felindre - Abbeycwmhir - Llanidloes

The 135 m/217km National Trail is a long distance walk which can be enjoyed as a continuous journey, typically taking around nine days, or over a series of weekend or day trips.
Welsh Open Stone Skimming Championships - Green Events

Address

Abernant Lake, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RR

Telephone
07493 654048

Bob.g@green-events.co.uk

Llanwrtyd Wells

A fun event for all ages. I am sure most of us have tried this at some time .
Why not come along and compare how good you are against others. There are various categories both Male and Female
Elan Valley Dam Open Day

Address

Elan Valley Visitor Centre, Elan Valley, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5HP

Telephone
01597 810880

elanvalley@dwrcymru.com

Rhayader

Don't miss an exclusive chance to venture into Pen y Garreg Dam in the Elan Valley. This is a self-guided walk with our rangers on hand to answer any questions. Explore the dam and enjoy stunning views from the central tower.
'Chapel' World Bog Snorkelling Championships - Green Events

Address

Waen Rydd Bog, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
07493 654048

Bob.g@green-events.co.uk

Llanwrtyd Wells

The annual World Bog Snorkelling Championships are held in Llanwrtyd Wells, Mid Wales.
Bogathlon - Return of the mud! - Green Events

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
07493 654048

Bob.g@green-events.co.uk

Watch friends, family and fellow competitors as they race around the bog field!
Llangynllo Railway Station

Address

Llangynllo, LD7 1SY

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Llangynllo railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea and is located 1.5 miles north of the village.
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.
Llanandras | Presteigne

Address

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2AD

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…
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.
Trans Cambrian Way

Address

Knighton - Dyfi Junction, LD7

The Trans Cambrian Way is a 108 mile / 175 km long distance mountain bike route that snakes its way through the heart of mid Wales, and climbs over the oldest mountain range in Europe, the Cambrian Mountains.
Presteigne Festival

Address

Various Venues, Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2YT

Telephone
01544 267800

bookings@presteignefestival.com

Presteigne

The annual Presteigne Festival is Internationally renowned for its commissioning of new work, support of living composers and with a long tradition for the encouragement of talented young artists.
Y Gelli Gandryll | Hay-on-Wye

Address

Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5DG

Telephone
01982 553307

Hay-on-Wye

Hay-on-Wye - in Welsh 'Y Gelli Gandryll' or just 'Y Gelli' is well known as 'the town of books' and is home to the Hay Literature Festival.
Warren Wood | Water-Break-its-Neck Waterfalls

Address

Near New Radnor, New Radnor, Powys, LD8 2TN

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.co.uk

New Radnor

Warren Wood has been popular with tourists for over 200 years because of the waterfall known as Water-Break-its-Neck. The waymarked trail along a gorge and explore the woodland with some of the largest trees in Radnorshire.
Sustrans Route 81: Rhayader - Shrewsbury

Address

Rhayader Town Centre, Rhayader - Shrewsbury, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01179268893

Rhayader - Shrewsbury

This section of route 81 heads North East via Llanidloes, Newtown and Welshpool towards Shrewsbury and England.
The Irfon View Road Ride

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
01591 610666

info@llanwrtyd.com

Powys

THE IRFON VIEW ROAD RIDE
Distance 14km (8.7m)
TimE 1 - 2 hrs
RSPB Carngafallt Nature Reserve

Address

Elan Valley, Glanfaron, Rhayader, LD6 5HW

Telephone
01654 700222

carngafallt@rspb.org.uk

Glanfaron

Carngafallt is a wonderful place to see birds or simply enjoy the view. The moorland landscape looks especially colourful in late summer, while spring is the perfect time to come and see migrant birds.
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.
Coed Nash | Nash Wood (NRW)

Address

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2YT

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Powys

Just outside the historic town of Presteigne, Nash Wood lies half in Wales and half in England. The circular walking trail goes to a viewpoint overlooking one of the many hillforts along this part of the border.
Radnor Forest | Warren Wood (NRW)

Address

Near New Radnor, New Radnor, Powys, LD8 2TN

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.co.uk

New Radnor

Warren Wood has been popular with tourists for over 200 years because of the waterfall known as Water-Break-its-Neck. The waymarked trail along a gorge and explore the woodland with some of the largest trees in Radnorshire.