Uncover a place
you'll love
Get familiar with the striking market towns of old or get out and about, losing yourself in something new. It’s your choice.
You’re into tasting local delicacies and wandering small seaside towns or villages? Tick.
Local welsh produce and independent shops are more your thing? Great.
Many inland towns and villages in Mid Wales are market towns that follow the course of the two great Welsh rivers, the River Severn and the River Wye. Both rivers rise in the Cambrian Mountains.
On the Mid Wales coast, Cardigan is the most southerly town in the region, at the mouth of the River Teifi. Aberystwyth, in the middle of the Mid Wales coast, lies on the mouth of the River Ystwyth. In Southern Snowdonia you'll find the seaside towns of Aberdyfi, Tywyn and Barmouth on the Mawddach Estuary.
Featured Inland Towns
Newtown
Despite its name it's surprisingly old. Founded as a market town at the end of the 13th century, Newtown is the largest town in Powys with a population of just 13,000. The town centre is a conservation area. Visit the renovated Victorian Market Hall, the ruins of St Mary’s Church and the remains of a medieval motte and bailey.
MACHYNLLETH
Machynlleth is at the mouth of the Dyfi estuary in the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere, one of only two UNESCO Biosphere Reserve sites in the whole of the UK. We celebrate and protect this area of outstanding natural beauty and diversity.
Montgomery
Although Montgomery has a small population of around 1,300 you won't find a livelier community; cafes, inns and restaurants, 2 castles (Montgomery in town, Dolforwyn 10 minutes away), and the award-winning Monty's Brewery. Sup a real ale.
Builth Wells
Home to the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show. Arrive in Builth from the West and you'll see the most colourful part of its history; the huge shop-side mural that depicts the last days of the last Welsh Prince of Wales, Llewelyn The Great. An impressive monument to Llewelyn is located in Cilmeri, a ten minute drive from the town.
Welshpool
Welshpool is the first town you'll come across if you're heading to Wales from Shropshire and the West Midlands. It's only 4 miles from the Shropshire border. Home to 6,000 people and the striking Powis Castle and Gardens.
LLANDRINDOD WELLS
'Landod' to locals, also known as Llandrindod 'Wellness'. The town's Wellness Walks start and finish at the lake. Hire a boat to explore from the water but don’t get wet under the Water Beast fountain. There are two museums: the Radnorshire Museum and the National Cycle Museum
BRECON
Lose yourself in the narrow streets and passageways lined with Georgian and Jacobean shopfronts, and the sense of timelessness about the place.
RHAYADER & ELAN VALLEY
Rhayader, said to be the oldest town in Mid Wales. It's the first town on the River Wye, in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains at the upper end of the Elan Valley.
Devils Bridge
Legend says the devil himself built it. Cross it for yourself and see the waterfalls, right here in the Cambrian Mountains.
Devils Bridge is a short way from Aberystwyth on the Mid Wales coast.
Dolgellau
This former slate town in the shadow of Cadair Idris has more listed buildings than any other town in Wales - more than 200 of them. Some of the most elegant date back to Dolgellau's time as a regional centre for the Welsh woollen industry.
Bala
Bala & Penllyn is situated in the Snowdonia National Park, Wales, in an area known as the Welsh Lake District. The area has dramatic scenery with mountains almost touching 3,000 ft high, deep valleys, fast flowing streams, rivers, waterfalls, forests and many lakes.
Lake Vyrnwy
Cycle the 12 miles all the way around the lake and take in the remote mountains, ancient woodlands, expansive waters and the iconic neo-Gothic water tower. Bike Hire is available.
Stroll along one of the 6 woodland walks, through mysterious forests dating back to the last ice age and walk the award winning Lake Vyrnwy Sculpture Trail.
Featured Coastal Towns
ABERYSTWYTH
Aberystwyth is a University town and the largest town in Mid Wales. It is home to the prestigious National Library of Wales which has the largest collection of books, maps, archives, bibliographies, pictures, photographs and rare manuscripts in Wales. It also holds guided tours, events and several different exhibitions at any one time.
NEW QUAY
Sandy beaches that extend in an arc around the bay and a sheltered harbour. Walk along the front to the end of the Quay and watch the boats sail by, or sit back and relax in one of the cafes overlooking the harbour.
BARMOUTH
Barmouth, or Abermaw or even Y Bermo as it is known in Welsh, is southern Snowdonia's most popular seaside resort with breathtaking views of Cardigan Bay and the picturesque harbour. The town's beach, Abermaw, is west facing with a mixture of sand and some fine shingle and is ideal for bathing and watersports.
CARDIGAN
There are many local food producers in the area, and their produce is found on many menus throughout the town. Cardigan also offers a bustling River and Food Festival in August each year.
ABERDYFI / ABERDOVEY
Aberdyfi is a small seaside village on the north side of the Dyfi estuary in southern Snowdonia. It is where the river Dyfi meets the green-blue waters of Cardigan Bay. A golden beach, crabbing and fishing from the quayside, yachts in the bay and views across the estuary.
ABERAERON
Shops, restaurants, beaches and a striking harbour - boxes ticked. Aberaeron has its own Seafood Festival to complement its annual Carnival and the Cob Festival, showcasing the very best of the Cardigan coast.
