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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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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.
Ludlow

Address

Shrophire, SY8 1AS

Telephone
01584 875053

info@ludlow.org.uk

Located 28 miles south of Shrewsbury and 23 miles north of Hereford, the town of Ludlow is significant in the history of the Welsh Marches and neighbouring Wales which is 14 miles to the west.
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.
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.
Knucklas Railway Station

Address

Glyndwr, Knucklas, LD7 1PN

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Knucklas

Knucklas railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Mari Lwyd New Year Walk In - Green Events

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RB

Telephone
07493 654 048

Bob.g@green-events.co.uk

Llanwrtyd Wells

Dates

From:
31 Dec 2026

A short torch light walk from the square at 22:00 returning for traditional midnight celebrations in the square to welcome the New Year.
Real Ale Ramble - Green Events

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
07493 654 048

Bob.g@green-events.co.uk

Llanwrtyd Wells

Dates

From:

21 Nov 2026to22 Nov 2026

Held in conjunction with the Mid-Wales Beer Festival, the Llanwrtyd Wells Real Ale Ramble follows one of 2 waymarked routes of 12 or 20 miles or 2 guided routes of 5 and 8 miles.
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.
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.
Cors Y Llyn Nature Reserve

Address

Newbridge-on-Wye, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3RU

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Builth Wells

The Cors y Llyn Reserve is one of several mires in the old county of Radnorshire and is located to the south of Newbridge-on-Wye.
Hergest Croft Gardens Autumn Plant Fair

Address

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

Telephone
01544230160

gardens@hergest.co.uk

Kington

Dates

From:
11 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00

Welcome the arrival of autumn at the beautiful Hergest Croft Gardens with a fantastic plant fair surrounded by stunning seasonal colour. Browse a wonderful selection of plants from specialist growers and nurseries, with plenty of inspiration for…
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.
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.
Crychan Forest (NRW)

Address

Crychan Forest (NRW), Llangammarch Wells, Powys

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Llangammarch Wells

The Crychan & Halfway Forest is set in beautiful countryside nestling between the Brecon Beacons & the Cambrian Mountains. Miles of waymarked trails for horse riding, cycling and walking take you through tranquil gorges, along old drover's routes &…
Real Ale Wobble - Green Events

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
07493 654048

Bob.g@green-events.co.uk

Llanwrtyd Wells

Dates

From:
14 Nov 2026

Whether you are a hardened mountain biker or a fun rider who happens to like a drop of real ale, The Real Ale Wobble will be right up your street.
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,
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.
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
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.
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