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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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Hergest Croft Gardens

Address

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

Telephone
01544 230160

gardens@hergest.co.uk

Kington

Hergest Croft Gardens near Kington on Wales / Hereford border has been created over 130 years by five generations of the Banks family. There are hidden valleys, woodland glades, open parkland, glorious flower borders and striking autumn colour.

Price
Price £9.50 to £34.00 per adult
National Cycle Museum

Address

The Automobile Palace, Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5DL

Telephone
01597 825531

curator@cyclemuseum.org.uk

Llandrindod Wells

The National Cycle Museum has approximately 250 machines on display within the 6,000 square feet of floor space. They vary from the Hobby Horse design from 1817 to modern unusual carbon fibre cycles . Much cycling memorabilia to see .
Lon Lodges

Address

Nantmel, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5PE

Telephone
07929539874

info@lonlodges.co.uk

Rhayader

Lon Lodges are Award Winning 5-star self-catering lodges in the heart of Mid Wales and the Cambrian Mountains. A luxury holiday experience on family farm. Guests have access to farmland and private wildlife trails with maps.

Price
Price £525.00 to £1,040.00 per unit per week
Neuadd Arms Hotel | Restaurant

Address

The Square, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RB

Telephone
01591 610236

Lindsay@neuaddarmshotel.co.uk

Llanwrtyd Wells

The Neuadd Arms has a reputation for good home cooking including vegetarian dishes and a wide range of curries (one of their specialities). They will always try to accommodate any particular dietary requirements.
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.
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.
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.
St Michaels Church

Address

Discoed, Nr Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2NL

Telephone
01547 560246

davidhiam@aol.com

Nr Presteigne

Friends of St Michael's raise funds for the ancient church on the Welsh border near Presteigne. St Michael's in Discoed (Old English 'dic' and 'cot' a cottage by Offa’s Dyke) acts as a both a spiritual and artistic hub to the community.
Llyn Brianne Reservoir & Dam

Address

Rhandirmwyn, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0PG

Llandovery

Llyn Brianne is a spectacular reservoir at almost 300m (990ft) above sea level. It holds over 64million cubic metres of water contained by a 91m (300ft) stone-built dam and is the largest of its kind in Europe.
Working & Pastoral Breeds Association of Wales

Address

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

Telephone
07831 266 501

Builth Wells

Working & Pastoral Breeds Association of Wales - This Show is a Crufts Qualifier
'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.
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.
Wonderwool Wales 2026

Address

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

Telephone
01938 820495

chrissie@wonderwoolwales.co.uk

Builth Wells

The award-winning Wonderwool Wales returns 26 - 27 April and celebrates all that’s great about Welsh wool and natural fibres.
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.
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…
The Pales Quaker Meeting House

Address

Llandegley, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5UH

Telephone
01597 810031

tyolaf@gmail.com

Llandrindod Wells

The Pales is the oldest Quaker Meeting House in continuous use in Wales. Set in the Radnor Hills near Llandrindod Wells, the Meeting House is open every day, all year, for visitors who value peace, solitude and natural beauty.
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.
Royal Welsh Winter Fair

Address

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

Telephone
01982 553683

requests@rwas.co.uk

Builth Wells

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.
Royal Welsh Show

Address

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

Telephone
01982 553683

requests@rwas.co.uk

Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells

The Royal Welsh Show is one of the most respected events of its kind in Europe. It brings together the farming industry and rural communities to celebrate the very best of British agriculture, with a distinctive Welsh character that sets it apart.
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.