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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 to Devil's Bridge | Scenic Drive

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Rhayader to Devil's Bridge, Powys, LD6 5BU

Rhayader to Devil's Bridge

Described by the AA as “one of the 10 best scenic drives in the world”, expect spectacular scenery as you travel the watershed of the Cambrian Mountains,
Bailey Einon Nature Reserve

Address

Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5PD

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Powys

A broadleaved woodland that sits alongside the River Ithon. Teeming with birds and flowers, this is a small nature reserve with a lot of wildlife.
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.
Radnor Ring Cycle Route

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader

A circular 84 mile route following quiet country lanes, and crossing some of Mid-Wales' most spectacular scenery. For those with mountain-bike skills, there are exciting off-road alternatives.
Three Rivers Road Ride

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
01591 610666

info@llanwrtyd.com

Powys

THREE RIVERS ROAD RIDE
Distance 30.5 (19m)
Time 1.5 - 3hrs
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Knighton Bus Station

Address

Bowling Green Lane, Knighton, LD7 1DR

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@traveline.cymru

Knighton

Knighton bus station is off Bowling Green Lane with services to Ludlow.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Llangammarch Railway Station

Address

Llangammarch, Powys, LD4 4EE

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Llangammarch

Llangammarch railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
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.