Towns and Villages in Mid Wales

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.

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, it owes its origins to the spring waters that were recognised to have healing properties.

Newtown, known in Welsh as 'Y Drenewydd', is the largest town in Powys and is situated on the banks of the River Severn. Founded at the end of the 13th century, Newtown boasts a rich industrial heritage, surrounded by beautiful countryside.

A historic market town, Montgomery is just one mile from Offa's Dyke and the Welsh-Shropshire border. There is much to explore in the area including Montgomery Castle and the town's cobbled streets and Georgian and Victorian architecture.

Welshpool is a Mid Wales town which lies only 4 miles from the border with England. Its Welsh name 'Y Trallwng' means 'the marshy or sinking land' referring to the fact that the town is low-lying on the River Severn.

Llanwrtyd Wells is the smallest town in Britain. It is also one of the friendliest, having a long history of catering for the many visitors who, today, come to enjoy the unspoilt beauty of the surrounding Cambrian Mountains.

Builth Wells is home to the Royal Welsh Show, red kites and the final resting place of Wales' last prince, Llewelyn the Last.

Located 5 miles north of Machynlleth, Corris boasts a surprisingly rich vein of local attractions together with thrilling mountain biking in the forest, excellent fishing at Llyn Myngul and challenging walking on Cadair Idris.

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.

Llanfyllin is thriving market town on the upper reaches of the Cain valley in north Powys, and is an ideal centre to explore the area including nearby Lake Vyrnwy and Welshpool.

The attractive market town of Machynlleth lies in the heart of the UNESCO Dyfi Bioshere. You'll find shops, galleries, cosy cafés and a local market held on Wednesday. Local attractions include the Centre for Alternative Technology

Llanfair Caereinion is in the heart of old Montgomeryshire's Banwy valley and is one of the smallest towns in Powys. The quaint and sleepy exterior of the town give it a picture book feel that typifies the traditional Welsh countryside.

The ancient market Town of Talgarth nestles beneath the Black Mountains which run along the border between Wales and England. Close to Brecon, Crickhowell and Hay-on-Wye, it provides an ideal base for visitors wishing to explore the area.

Brecon is a town where you'll enjoy losing yourself...not only in the narrow streets and passageways lined with Georgian and Jacobean shopfronts, but in the sense of timelessness about the place.

Llanidloes is a small historic market town in Mid Wales; it is the first town along the River Severn.

Ystradgynlais is a small town located south of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It lies on the edge of the coalfield and ironworks were founded here in the early 17th Century.

Hay-on-Wye - in Welsh 'Y Gelli Gandryll' or just 'Y Gelli' is well known as 'the town of books' and is home to the Hay Literature Festival.

The historic town of Crickhowell lies on the River Usk on the southern edge of the Black Mountains in the eastern part of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

North-east of Machynlleth and south-east of Dolgellau, the village of Dinas Mawddwy is just to the side of the A470 at the junction with the mountain road to Lake Vyrnwy and Bala.

The picturesque village of Berriew (Welsh: Aberriw) is one of the jewels in the Mid-Wales crown, with its black-and- white cottages, majestic church and the river Rhiw flowing through its heart.