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The Heart of Wales Line runs for about 120 miles from Shrewsbury to Swansea, through some of the quietest country in Britain. Four trains a day each way stop at small stations across Powys, including the old spa towns of Llandrindod Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells. This weekend covers the Mid Wales section, with a night in Llandrindod Wells.
From Shrewsbury, the line runs south through the Shropshire hills to Knighton, which sits right on the border; the station is actually in England. Walk up into town to the Offa's Dyke Centre, which explains the 8th-century earthwork and the National Trail that follows it. Pick up the path behind the centre for a short walk along the dyke above the Teme.
Back on the train, the line crosses the Knucklas Viaduct, 13 stone arches with castle-style turrets at each end, then climbs to Llangynllo, the highest point on the line. Get off at Llandrindod Wells, a Victorian spa town with wide streets and red-brick hotels. Walk to the Lake Park for the boating lake and woods, and visit the National Cycle Museum in the old Automobile Palace. Stay at The Metropole Hotel, which has a spa, a brasserie and a restaurant.
Take the morning train south-west through Builth Road and Cilmeri, where Llywelyn, the last native Prince of Wales, was killed in 1282, to Llanwrtyd Wells. The town is known for its offbeat events, including bog snorkelling. The Trout Inn at Beulah, a short taxi ride away, serves breakfasts and lunches from Wednesday to Monday. Return north on the afternoon train, or carry on south over the Sugar Loaf summit and the Cynghordy Viaduct towards Llandovery and Swansea.
The Heart of Wales Line is one of Britain's most scenic rural railways. The line runs for 120 miles of dramatic scenery from Shrewsbury to Swansea, crossing two impressive viaducts at Knucklas and Cynghordy and through six tunnels, including one near the magnificent Sugar Loaf.
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.
The Offa's Dyke Centre is positioned at about the halfway point of the Offa's Dyke Path National Trail and at the start of the Glyndwr's Way National Trail.
Knucklas railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Llandrindod railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line that runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
The 13-acre Llandrindod Lake, an unexpected feature of the town with a magnificent dragon statue at its centre, is a perfect place for a gentle stroll or leisure cycle ride.
The National Cycle Museum has approximately 250 machines on display within the 6,000 square feet of floor space. They vary from the Hobby Horse design from 1817 to modern unusual carbon fibre cycles . Much cycling memorabilia to see .
The Metropole Hotel is located in the beautiful Spa town of Llandrindod Wells in the heart of Mid Wales and is renowned for its' warm and friendly atmosphere, comfortable accommodation and superb cuisine.
Llanwrtyd railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line that runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
The Trout Inn is a traditional village inn offering home cooking for breakfasts, lunches and dinner. Open 8am-4pm Wednesday to Monday.
| From | To | Distance * (metric) |
|---|---|---|
| Heart of Wales Railway Line (52.24204,-3.38062) | Tref-y-Clawdd | Knighton Railway Station (52.34526,-3.05099) | 22.7 |
| Tref-y-Clawdd | Knighton Railway Station (52.34526,-3.05099) | Offa's Dyke Centre (52.34586,-3.0521) | 0.09 |
| Offa's Dyke Centre (52.34586,-3.0521) | Knucklas Railway Station (52.35964,-3.09681) | 3.07 |
| Knucklas Railway Station (52.35964,-3.09681) | Llandrindod Railway Station (52.24231,-3.3792) | 20.92 |
| Llandrindod Railway Station (52.24231,-3.3792) | Llandrindod Wells Lake Park (52.23451,-3.37443) | 0.83 |
| Llandrindod Wells Lake Park (52.23451,-3.37443) | National Cycle Museum (52.23831,-3.37751) | 0.43 |
| National Cycle Museum (52.23831,-3.37751) | The Metropole Hotel (52.24004,-3.37803) | 0.18 |
| The Metropole Hotel (52.24004,-3.37803) | Llanwrtyd Railway Station (52.10461,-3.63214) | 20.69 |
| Llanwrtyd Railway Station (52.10461,-3.63214) | The Trout Cafe | Dining (52.14852,-3.57836) | 5.5 |
| Total Distance * | 74.38 miles | |
| Estimated Journey Time | 2.39 hours | |
* Approximate distance by road
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