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You are here: Destinations > North Powys > Things to Do in Welshpool

Things to Do in Welshpool

Welshpool, or Y Trallwng in Welsh, is a market town in the Severn valley in north Powys, a few miles from the English border. It has a castle with some of the finest gardens in Britain, a narrow gauge steam railway, a restored canal and easy access to Offa's Dyke and Glyndŵr's Way. On Sunday 4 July 2027, it's the start town for stage three of the Tour de France. Things to do and places to visit around the town are listed below.

Powis Castle and Garden

Powis Castle stands on a ridge just outside the town, in a deer park a short walk from the centre. The medieval castle was built by Welsh princes and turned into a grand house, and it's now cared for by the National Trust. The terraced gardens, laid out in the late 1600s, step down the hillside below the castle, with enormous clipped yews and views over the Severn valley. Inside, the Clive Museum holds treasures brought back from India. There's a courtyard restaurant for lunch.

Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway

This narrow gauge steam railway runs for eight miles from Raven Square in Welshpool through the Banwy valley to Llanfair Caereinion, climbing some of the steepest gradients of any railway in Britain. The line was built to carry farm goods and livestock to market. There's a tearoom at Llanfair station.

The Montgomery Canal

The Montgomery Canal runs through the middle of Welshpool, and the towpath makes a flat walk or bike ride in either direction. At the canal wharf, Y Lanfa is home to the Powysland Museum, which tells the story of the area from prehistory to the present. Llyn Coed y Dinas nature reserve, on the edge of town, is good for birdwatching.

Cycling and walking

The Welshpool and Berriew cycle route is a 24-mile loop on quiet lanes, partly on National Cycle Route 81, with a detour to Powis Castle. Walkers can pick up Offa's Dyke Path at Buttington, just east of town, and Glyndŵr's Way, the 135-mile National Trail across Powys, finishes in Welshpool. See cycling in Mid Wales and our guide to riding the Tour de France route.

Nearby: Montgomery, Berriew and Llanfair Caereinion

Montgomery, eight miles south, is a small Georgian town with a ruined castle on the ridge above and Kerry Vale Vineyard nearby. Berriew, a black-and-white village on the River Rhiw, is home to the Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture. Llanfair Caereinion, at the far end of the steam railway, sits in the quiet Banwy valley.

Where to eat in Welshpool

Tastes of Wales is a licensed tearoom using Welsh produce, with brunch, lunch and afternoon tea. The Royal Oak Hotel in the town centre has a restaurant and bar, and Westwood Park Hotel is a traditional pub. See more places to eat.

Where to stay in Welshpool

The Royal Oak Hotel is a historic coaching inn in the centre, and there are farm cottages, holiday parks and B&Bs around the town. For race weekend in July 2027, see our guide to where to stay for the Tour de France.

How do I get to Welshpool?

Welshpool is on the Cambrian Line, with direct trains from Shrewsbury and Birmingham. By road, it's on the A483 and A458, about 20 miles west of Shrewsbury. Welshpool Tourist Information Centre is in the town centre.

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Things to do around Welshpool

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Number of results: 40

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Glyndwr's Way | Llanwddyn - Welshpool

Address

Mid Wales, Powys, SY21 7DD

Telephone
01597 827562

helen.tatchell@powys.gov.uk

A 132 mile National Trail set in the heart of Mid Wales breathtaking countryside, dedicated to the 15th Century Welsh Prince Owain Glyndwr
The Ann Griffiths Walk

Address

Pont Llogel, Llwydiarth to Pontrobert, Lake Vyrnwy, Powys, SY21 0QG

Telephone
01597 827567

Lake Vyrnwy

The Ann Griffiths Trail is a 7 mile linear walk that follows closely the bank of the River Vyrnwy for most of its length with the Berwyn mountains forming a splendid backdrop. The path runs from Pont Llogel, Llwydiarth to Pontrobert with scenery…
Dolydd Hafren Nature Reserve

Address

Forden, Powys, SY21 8NN

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Powys

The River Severn loops lazily across its valley floor, its loops and bends creating oxbow lakes which are now good wetland habitat for waterfowl.
Lake Vyrnwy | Llyn Efyrnwy

Address

Llanwddyn, Owestry, Powys, SY10 0LZ

Telephone
01691 870 571

VisitorSites@hdcymru.co.uk

Powys

Experience the awe-inspiring natural beauty and rich history of Lake Vyrnwy, Wales. The stunning destination boasts a vast reservoir surrounded by remote mountains and thick forests, offering a unique and dramatic landscape for outdoor enthusiasts…
Dolforwyn Castle (Cadw)

Address

Abermule, Nr Newtown, Powys, SY15 6JJ

Telephone
0300 025 6000

cadw@gov.wales

Nr Newtown

Discover Dolforwyn Castle, an ancient fortress nestled on a picturesque ridge above the enchanting Severn Valley near Newtown. Immerse yourself in the captivating tale of Welsh-English conflict as you explore the rich history that surrounds…
Dyfnant & Vyrnwy Forests (NRW)

Address

Dyfnant & Vyrnwy Forests (NRW), Lake Vyrnwy, Powys, SY21 0QH

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Lake Vyrnwy

Dyfnant and Vyrnwy Forests in north Powys which is renowned for rolling hills, lush green valleys and picturesque farmsteads and villages. The Forest caters for horse riding and carriage driving as well as walking and picnic areas.
Hendomen & Dolydd Hafren Cycle Route

Address

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Telephone
01938 552043

admin@montgomery-wales.co.uk

Powys

Circular cycle route starting from in front of the Montgomery Town Hall providing an exceptional view of the town and with the option of extending the route to include the Dolydd Hafren Nature Reserve.
Llyn Coed y Dinas Nature Reserve

Address

Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8RP

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Welshpool

Created from a gravel pit, quarried to provide material for the creation of the Welshpool bypass, Llyn Coed y Dinas is a fantastic home for all sorts of wildlife.
Dyfnant Forest | Pen y Fford (NRW)

Address

Dyfnant & Vyrnwy Forests (NRW), Penyfford Car Park, Lake Vyrnwy, Powys, SY21 0QH

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Lake Vyrnwy

Dyfnant Forest is home to the Dyfnant Rainbow Trails, designed with horses in mind but also welcoming walkers. There are nearly 100 miles of tracks and trails with five horse riding trails and three carriage driving trails in Dyfnant Forest starting…
Montgomery Cycle Trail | Llandyssil and Abermule

Address

Circular Cycling Route, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Telephone
01938 552043

admin@montgomery-wales.co.uk

Montgomery

There are five Montgomery Cycle Trails based in and around Montgomery that will provide you with beautiful views of the dramatic countryside of the Mid Wales Marches. Cycle Parking is available in Broad Street in the town centre.
Churchstoke and Priest Weston (Cycle Route)

Address

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Powys

A lovely cycle ride requiring 2 miles on main road at the beginning, after which you will be on beautiful, country lanes.
19.3 Miles ( 31KM) 2-2.5hours - Elevation Ascent: 427m
Dyfnant Forest | Pont Llogel Wood

Address

Dyfnant & Vyrnwy Forests (NRW), Car Park & Picnic Site, Lake Vyrnwy, Powys, SY21 0QH

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Lake Vyrnwy

Pont Llogel is a small woodland within the Dyfnant Forest next to the Afon Efyrnwy (River Vyrnwy) and the car park and picnic area is set beside an old stone bridge at the edge of a hamlet. This tranquil area has been designated a SSSI choice of 3…
Offa's Dyke | Buttington Bridge to Llanymynech

Address

Welshpool - Llanymynech, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 7DD

Welshpool

The Buttington Bridge to Llanymynech section of the Offa's Dyke National Trail starts at Buttington Bridge where you meet the River Severn, from where it is a short walk into Welshpool.
Montgomery | Town Heritage Trail

Address

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery

2.17miles (3.5km) takes about 1.5hours and is a moderate walk with a moderate grade - Download the PDF
Coed Pendugwm Nature Reserve

Address

Pontrobert, Powys, SY22 5JF

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Powys

Majestic sessile oaks have nurtured this quiet corner of Wales for over 400 years providing leafy cover for plants and animals and creating a 'wild wood'.
Pererindod Melangell Walk

Address

Llyn Efyrnwy | Lake Vyrnwy, Llanwddyn, Powys, SY10 0LY

Telephone
01691 870346

vyrnwy@rspb.org.uk

Llanwddyn

A spectacular 15 mile walk passing by Lake Vyrnwy, and leading to Britain's oldest Romanesque shrine at the ancient church of Pennant Melangell.
Llanymynech Rocks Nature Reserve

Address

Underhill Lane, Pant, SY22 6HD

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Pant

Straddling the border between England and Wales, the reserve lies at the southern end of the carboniferous limestone outcrop that stretches from Anglesey and the Great Orme at Llandudno.
Montgomery Castle (Cadw)

Address

Montgomery Castle, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Telephone
0300 025 6000

cadw@gov.wales

Montgomery

Montgomery Castle is a masonry castle standing on a rocky promontory above the town of Montgomery. Precipitous slopes to the north and east make this an excellent defensive site.
Old Bell Museum

Address

Arthur Street, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6RA

Telephone
01686 668313

curator@oldbellmuseum.org.uk

Montgomery

The Old Bell, a 16th century inn, has been converted into a local history museum by Montgomery Civic Society.