To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Learn more

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

Number of results: 163

, currently showing 121 to 140.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2026

Address

Newport Street, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, HR3 5BZ

Telephone
02078 373000

enquiries@artandideas.org

Hay-On-Wye

HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2025 returns for a magical weekend 22nd-25th May!
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.
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…
NIcky Grist Stages

Address

Llanfair ym Muallt | Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3BU

Llanfair ym Muallt | Builth Wells

The Nicky Grist Stages takes place on Saturday 11 July 2026 in and around Builth Wells. Based in the town centre, the rally features competitive forest stages across mid-Wales and attracts crews from major UK rally championships.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
Tref-y-Clawdd | Knighton Railway Station

Address

Tref-y-Clawdd | Knighton, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN

Knighton

Knighton Station is on the border between England and Wales. The town is situated on two National Trails routes and mid point along the famous Offa’s Dyke.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Abergwesyn Pass | Scenic Drive

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells - Tregaron, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Llanwrtyd Wells

The Abergwesyn Pass from Llanwrtyd Wells is a 20 mile single track route that runs through an almost brutally wild landscape of Abergwesyn Common moors, escarpment, pine forest and scurrying streams
Llanwrtyd Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Llanwrtyd Wells, LD5 4RW

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Llanwrtyd Wells

Llanwrtyd railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line that 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
Elan Valley Estate

Address

Elan Valley Estate, Elan Estate Office, Elan Village, RHAYADER, Powys, LD6 5HP

Telephone
01597 810449

info@elanvalleytrust.org

Elan Village, RHAYADER

The Elan Valley Estate attracts a wide variety of visitors and a good starting point for all is the Visitor Centre which has a wide variety of information and educational and interactive resources.
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.
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.