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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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Warren Wood | Waterfall & Walks (NRW)

Address

Warren Wood, Near New Radnor, Powys

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.co.uk

Powys

Walk along a gorge to the Water-Break-its-Neck waterfall, a popular destination for Victorian tourists. Explore the woodland and see some of the largest trees in Radnorshire.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
Hay Castle | Castell Y Gelli

Address

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

Telephone
01497 820079

info@haycastletrust.org

Hay-on-Wye

Hay Castle sets the imagination soaring. Once a great medieval stronghold, the castle and the grounds in the welsh borderlands are alive with possibilities once again as a centre for cultural, arts and education.
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.
Glanusk Welsh Stallion Show

Address

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

Telephone
07887 555684

Builth Wells

The Glan Usk Welsh Stallion Show is a respected fixture in the Welsh equine calendar, traditionally held in May at the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd.
Burfa Bog Nature Reserve

Address

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2SH

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Powys

A low-lying reserve with Knobley brook running through the wet grassland. Butterflies and flowers are abundant in the spring and summer months.
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
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.
International Antiques & Collectors Fair of Wales

Address

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

Telephone
01584 873634

enquiries@continuityfairs.co.uk

Builth Wells

The International Antique Home & Vintage Fair of Wales at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells is one of the largest Antique Fairs in the country.
The Drovers' Walks - Green Events

Address

Llanwtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
07493 654048

Bob.g@green-events.co.uk

Drovers Walks follow in the footsteps of the Drovers of old who used to drive their sheep, cattle, pigs and geese across the Cambrian mountains and Welsh borders to the market towns of England.
Bucknell Railway Station

Address

Weston Rd, Bucknell, Shropshire, SY7 0AD

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@traveline.cymru

Bucknell

Bucknell railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Hergest Croft Gardens Spring Plant Fair

Address

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

Telephone
01544 230160

gardens@hergest.co.uk

Kington

Hergest Croft Gardens will welcome gardeners, plant lovers and families alike to its Annual Spring Plant Fair on Bank Holiday Monday 4 May 2026
Lon Las Cymru | Rhayader to Llangurig

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01597 826605

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader

Although this is not strictly a traffic free route, this minor gated road running down the Wye Valley carries next to no traffic as the main A470 runs parallel, on the other side of the valley, all the way from Llangurig to Rhayader.
Hafod Hardware

Address

East Street, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5DS

Telephone
01597 810383

hafodhardware@gmail.com

Rhayader

Situated in the centre of Rhayader in the heart of Mid Wales is one of the oldest businesses in the town - Hafod Hardware. A traditional old fashioned Ironmongers with wooden flooring and walls and ceiling lined in pine.
Man v Horse Marathon - Green Events

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
07493 654048

Bob.g@green-events.co.uk

The first Man v Horse Marathon was in June 1980 - and so began Green Events and its first, longest standing and now internationally acclaimed event.
Builth Road Railway Station

Address

Llechrhyd Terrace, nr Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3PY

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@traveline.cymru

nr Builth Wells

Builth Wells has a railway station two miles north of the town; Builth Road is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.