Newtown in Mid Wales

Newtown, known in Welsh as 'Y Drenewydd', is the largest town in Powys (pop.13,000) and is situated on the banks of the River Severn.

The Robert Owen Museum, the Textile Museum, the WH Smith Museum and the Oriel Davies Gallery are all situated in the centre of town. On the outskirts of the town is Theatr Hafren, Coleg Powys and the local leisure centre.

Newtown provides the ideal base to explore the surrounding countryside. Nearby there are nature reserves, riverside walks, Montgomery Canal paths, the Severn Way, Dolforwyn Castle and Gregynog Hall & Gardens, a stunning country house built by Lord Davies of Llandinam.

Newtown was founded as a market town at the end of the 13th century and boasts a rich industrial heritage.

In the 19th century the Montgomeryshire Canal supplied the transport for the blossoming textile industry and 'Pryce-Jones established the world's first mail-order store; today the Pryce-Jones building is still the tallest in the town.

The town’s connection with the textile industry was revived in the 20th century when businesswoman Laura Ashley established her home furnishing and clothing empire in the area.

It is believed that the parcel post in Britain was started as a result of a suggestion made by Pryce Jones to the Postmaster General.

The great social reformer and founder of the co-operative movement, Robert Owen, was born in Newtown in 1771.

Newtown benefits from a number of small local museums & galleries; the Robert Owen Museum, the Newtown Textile Museum, the WH Smith Museum and the Oriel Davies Gallery are all situated in the centre of town.

The area boasts a wealth of castles and country houses including Powis Castle & Gardens in Welshpool, Montgomery Castle, Dolforwyn Castle, Gregynog Hall & Gardens and Glansevern Hall & Gardens.

Newtown provides the ideal base to stay for a few days to relax, unwind and explore the surrounding countryside.

You'll find a variety of places to stay in Newtown and the surrounding area and local places to visit nearby include the nearby market towns of Welshpool, Montgomery and Llanidloes.

The small village of Berriew located mid way between Newtown and Welshpool includes Glansevern Hall Gardens and the Andrew Logan Museum (the celebrated performance artist/sculptor and originator of the Alternative Miss World, has a museum in nearby Berriew).

For adventure lovers you'll find a Championship Down-Hill Mountain Bike track at Caersws, Yamaha Off-Road Experience near Llanidloes, the Mid Wales Shooting Centre near Caersws and the Forest Rally Experience in Carno.