Autumn in Mid Wales

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Autumn in Mid Wales runs from late September to the end of November. It's the season for golden valleys, waterfalls in full flow, red kites over the hills and evenings by the fire. Across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Southern Snowdonia), the lanes go quiet after the summer holidays and the places that were busy in August have room again. In Welsh, autumn is hydref.

Is Mid Wales good for an autumn break? Yes, if what you want is walking, quiet and somewhere warm to come back to. Most people come for a few days of walks in the hills and valleys, a pub supper and a proper night's sleep. Here's where to go and what to look out for.

Where to see autumn colour

The Elan Valley near Rhayader in Central Powys is one of the best places in Wales for autumn colour. Oak and birch woods run down to a chain of reservoirs built more than a century ago to supply Birmingham, and the road past the Caban Coch, Garreg Ddu, Pen y Garreg and Craig Goch dams turns copper and gold through October. Start at Cwm Elan, the Elan Valley Visitor Centre, for maps, a café and the riverside path.

Hafren Forest, west of Llanidloes, is where the River Severn begins. Waymarked trails follow the young river through the forest, where the larch turns orange in late autumn, down to the waterfall known as Severn-break-its-neck.

The Mawddach Trail follows an old railway line for about nine and a half miles from Dolgellau to Barmouth along the estuary in Southern Eryri. It's flat, so it suits most walkers and cyclists, and the oak woods around Penmaenpool are at their best in October. Colour usually peaks from mid October into early November, depending on the weather. Find more routes on our walking routes page.

Waterfalls in full flow

Autumn rain means the waterfalls are at their loudest. At Devil's Bridge in the Ceredigion uplands, 12 miles inland from Aberystwyth, the 300ft Mynach Falls drop through a wooded gorge below three bridges built one on top of another. The steps on the Devil's Bridge Waterfalls nature trails are steep, so wear good boots. You can get there from Aberystwyth on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, a narrow-gauge steam line that climbs 680ft over 12 miles.

Dolgoch Falls in Southern Eryri sits on the Talyllyn Railway between Tywyn and Abergynolwyn, with a path up through the woods from Dolgoch station. In Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), the Four Falls Trail near Ystradfellte passes four waterfalls on the Mellte and Hepste rivers. Paths get slippery after rain, so take your time.

Dark skies and stargazing

Longer nights make autumn a good time for stargazing. The Elan Valley is an International Dark Sky Park, Bannau Brycheiniog is an International Dark Sky Reserve, and so is Eryri, which takes in the hills around Dolgellau and Bala. On a clear, moonless night away from the towns you can see the Milky Way with your own eyes.

Hay Bluff, on the eastern edge of Bannau Brycheiniog, is a good spot with a wide horizon. For a guided evening, Serydda runs stargazing experiences and night photography workshops near Tregaron in Ceredigion. Our stargazing page has more places to go.

Wildlife in autumn

Red kites are easy to see in Mid Wales all year. At Gigrin Farm, half a mile from Rhayader, the kites are fed every day of the year, at 2pm from the end of October, and around 500 come in during the colder months.

Grey seals have their pups from September to November. Look down into the coves from the Wales Coast Path around New Quay on the Ceredigion coast, keep well back from the cliff edge and keep dogs on a lead. Red squirrels still live in the Tywi Forest, though you'll need patience to see one, and the Mawddach estuary fills with wading birds as the weather turns. See our wildlife and nature page for reserves and trails.

Cosy stays, pubs and log fires

After a day out, most people want a fire, a good meal and a comfortable bed. Plenty of self-catering cottages across Mid Wales have wood burners, and country pubs light the fire when the evenings draw in. Browse places to stay with open fires and log burners, or find somewhere with a hot tub for an evening under the stars.

Autumn is quieter than summer, so there's usually more choice. School half term weeks go first, and midweek stays are often easier to find.

Food and drink in season

Autumn is harvest time. Farm shops fill up with local apples, squash and root vegetables, game appears on pub menus and Sunday roasts come into their own. The season closes with the Royal Welsh Winter Fair at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, at the end of November, with livestock, a food hall and early Christmas shopping.

October half term

Half term is a good week for steam trains and woodland trails. The Talyllyn Railway, the Vale of Rheidol Railway and the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway all run through Mid Wales, so check their autumn timetables before you go. For wet days, King Arthur's Labyrinth and Corris Mine Explorers near Machynlleth take you underground. Keep an eye on our family events listings for Halloween trails and half term activities.

Good to know

The Cambrian Line runs from Shrewsbury through Welshpool, Newtown and Machynlleth to Aberystwyth, with a branch along the coast through Tywyn and Barmouth. The Heart of Wales Line crosses Powys through Knighton, Llandrindod Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells. Days are shorter, so plan walks to finish before dark and carry a torch. Some attractions change their hours after October half term, so check opening times before you travel.

Autumn here isn't about fitting everything in. Walk in the morning, eat well, get back before the light goes and let the evening look after itself. Check your dates and come and settle in for a few days.

Plan your autumn in Mid Wales

Inspiration

Halloween in Mid Wales

Evening ghost trains, underground stories and legends older than the castles. Halloween in Mid Wales is spooky enough for the children and still ends by a fire.
Autumn Food and Drink in Mid Wales

Apples, squash and game in the farm shops, a Sunday roast in a pub with the fire lit and a local ale to go with it. Autumn is a good time to eat in Mid Wales.
Accommodation with Open Fires and Log Burners

A log burner, thick blankets and a walk from the door. These cottages, inns and B&Bs are made for autumn and winter evenings in Mid Wales.
Dark Skies and Stargazing in Mid Wales

Some of the darkest skies in Britain, with the Milky Way overhead on a clear night. Here is where to go, what to look for and when.
Wildlife Watching in Autumn in Mid Wales

Hundreds of red kites over Rhayader, seal pups in the coves below the coast path and the first winter geese on the estuaries. Autumn is a busy season for wildlife.
Autumn Walks in Mid Wales

Oak woods turning copper above the reservoirs, larch going gold in Hafren Forest and the Mawddach at low tide. These are our favourite walks for autumn colour.

Number of results: 96

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The Castle of Brecon Hotel

Address

Castle Square, Brecon, Powys, LD3 9DB

Telephone
01874 624611

castle.brecon@innmail.co.uk

Brecon

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The Castle of Brecon Hotel is an historic hotel of great charm and character. Occupying the site and remains of Brecon Castle close to the centre of town, it stands on a bluff of land between two rivers commanding extensive views.
Canvas & Campfires | Beudy Bach

Address

Pant Yr Hwch, Llanwnnen, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 7LY

Telephone
01570 434542

ellie@canvasandcampfires.co.uk

Lampeter

Beudy Bach - The Little Cowshed, come and discover luxury in nature. Our little corner of Wales, halfway between the mountains and the sea, with so much to do but also the perfect place to just relax. A hot tub hideaway perfect for two.
The Royston

Address

The Royston at Llwynaire, Llanbrynmair, Powys, SY19 7DX

Telephone
01650 519228

info@theroystonwales.com

Llanbrynmair

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

SUNDAY TIMES BEST HOTEL IN WALES 2019
The Royston is a unique, laid back, 7-room contemporary guest house on the outskirts of Llanbrynmair in the heart of Mid Wales.

Price
Price £129.00 to £159.00 per person per night
The Trout Cafe | Stay

Address

Beulah, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4UU

Telephone
01591 620235

info@thetroutinn.net

Llanwrtyd Wells

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

We have four good sized rooms available, including a large family room. All of our rooms are ensuite and have free wireless internet, digital tv and tea & coffee making facilities.

Price
Price £70.00 to £80.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Penwern Fach Holiday Cottages

Address

Ponthirwaun, Near Cenarth, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 2RL

Telephone
01239 710017

enquiries@penwernfach.co.uk

Cardigan

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The 6 award winning cottages are set in 10 acres of peaceful private grounds, amidst beautiful unspoilt countryside. Within a 10 - 15 minute drive are safe sandy beaches, private fishing, numerous golf courses, riding and sailing.

Price
Price £595.00 to £1,480.00 per unit per week
holidaycottages.co.uk

Address

Wales, Locations throughout Wales

Telephone
01237 426 255

bookings@holidaycottages.co.uk

Locations throughout Wales

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

A beautiful collection of personally inspected self-catering holiday cottages throughout Wales and the rest of the UK.
Gwyliau Cegir Escapes

Address

Nant y Gaseg, Darowen, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8LW

Telephone
01650 511579

info@cegir.co.uk

Machynlleth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Relax in a handcrafted shepherd’s hut with your own private hot tub, set in the quiet hills near Machynlleth. Dog-friendly, wood-burning stoves and panoramic views of the Dyfi Valley. A peaceful base for couples and small families to switch off.

Price
Price £500.00 to £860.00 per unit per week
Stellar Safari @ Lon Lodges

Address

Nantmel, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5PE

Telephone
07929539874

info@lonlodges.co.uk

Rhayader

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

A magical, luxury glamping experience with wood burning hot tub, set on a private farm, sleeping up to 6 guests. A private en-suite shower & toilet room. Fully equipped kitchen, wood burning stove and fire pit pizza oven.

Price
Price £120.00 per unit per night
Gwesty Pen-y-Bont Hotel

Address

Pen-y-Bont Hotel, Talyllyn, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9AJ

Telephone
01654 782285

info@penybonthotel.co.uk

Tywyn

Dates

A 16th Century Coaching Inn with a spectacular location on Llyn Mwyngil (Talyllyn Lake) near Cadair Idris in the heart of southern Eryri (Snowdonia). Enjoy Bed & Breakfast in one of our five letting rooms, with a hearty Welsh Breakfast by the log…

Price
Price £180.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Bryn Tanat Hall | Stay

Address

Bryn Tanat Hall, Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain, Powys, SY22 6BA

Telephone
01691 828266

relax@bryntanat.co.uk

Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Bryn Tanat Hall Estate is a collection of luxury self-catering properties set across 15 acres on the Shropshire–Mid Wales border, nestled in the peaceful Tanat Valley. From the magnificent 17th-century Bryn Tanat Hall, sleeping up to 28, to two…

Price
Price £900.00 to £4,500.00 per unit per week
Drovers Retreat

Address

Graig Farm, Dolau, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5TL

Telephone
07377 865123

Enquiries@droversretreat.co.uk

Llandrindod Wells

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Drovers Retreat is a secluded 4-star converted stone eco barn which nestles in the hills of mid-Wales, some 8 miles from the English border. It is a perfect getaway, and haven of peace in the Welsh Marches.

Price
Price £114.00 to £170.00 per unit per night
Glandyfi Castle | Stay

Address

Glandyfi Castle, Glandyfi, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8SS

enquiries@glandyficastle.co.uk

Machynlleth

Exclusive-use castle near Machynlleth in Mid Wales, with 11 bedrooms sleeping 22 guests in individually styled bedrooms. Ideal for birthdays, anniversaries and relaxed get togethers with family or friends. Dog friendly venue with 40 acres of…
Afon Rhaiadr Country House

Address

Afon Rhaiadr Country House, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2AH

Telephone
01341 450777

enquiries@afonrhaiadr.co.uk

Dolgellau

Dates

From:

3 Feb 2026to30 Nov 2026

A warm welcome awaits all at Afon Rhaiadr Country House, surrounded by gardens and Woodlands with a stream and waterfall running through. Sumptuous bedrooms with luxury bathrooms. Delicious home cooking. A perfect place to relax and unwind.

Price
Price £95.00 to £155.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Broomfield House

Address

Glasbury On Wye, Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5NS

Telephone
01497 842970

info@broomfield.wales

Hay-on-Wye

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Broomfield is a Grade II listed Georgian house of Italianate Regency style, standing in an elevated position commanding stunning views across the Wye Valley to the hills beyond.

Price
Price £150.00 to £275.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Fedwen Uchaf

Address

Tresaith, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 2JG

Telephone
01239 811333

asjadiya@aol.com

Cardigan

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Fedwen Uchaf at Tresaith is a beautifully renovated and centrally heated holiday home only a few minutes drive or a short walk from the very beautiful Tresaith Beach. The cottage sleeps 5 plus 1 cot with two spacious bedrooms upstairs,

Price
Price £350.00 to £800.00 per unit per week
Trenewydd Farm Holiday Cottages

Address

Moylegrove, Cardigan, Pembrokeshire, SA43 3BJ

Telephone
01239 611971

hello@trenewydd.com

Cardigan

Dates

A lovely little complex of six dog friendly self-catering cottages and a shepherd's hut situated on the Pembrokeshire coast, with hot tubs and swimming pool. Conveniently located just outside St Dogmaels and Cardigan in the breathtaking landscapes…

Price
Price £140.00 to £280.00 per unit per night
Canvas & Campfires

Address

Pant Yr Hwch, Llanwnnen, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 7LY

Telephone
01570 434542

ellie@canvasandcampfires.co.uk

Lampeter

Dates

From:

1 Apr 2027to31 Oct 2027

Canvas & Campfires in West Wales is a luxury glamping site set on an 11-acre smallholding. The site has five safari tents, and a beautiful converted cowshed called Beudy Bach.

Price
Price £200.00 per unit per night
Bryn Cleifion | Bettws Hall

Address

Bryn Cleifion Hall, Mallwyd, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9HW

Telephone
01686650628

selina@bettwshall.com

Machynlleth

Dates

From:

1 Feb 2027to30 Sept 2027

Bryn Cleifion Hall and Lodge are two self catering properties in Snowdonia National Park in Mallwyd.
Bryn Cleifion Hall sleeps up to 8 in 5 en suite bedrooms and has a modern kitchen, a sitting room with open fire and an acre of lawns. Outside…

Price
Price £850.00 to £1,750.00 per unit per week
Coedmor Cottage and Coedmor Barn

Address

Coedmor, Caerdeon, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL42 1TL

Telephone
01341 430332

coedmorenquiry@hotmail.co.uk

Barmouth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Charming units nestled between the beautiful Mawddach Estuary and Cader Idris mountain range. Minutes away from Barmouth and Dolgellau the cottages are ideally situated for walking, fishing, bird watching or just relaxing.

Price
Price £320.00 to £530.00 per unit per week
Nannerth Country Holidays

Address

Nannerth Country Holidays, Nannerth Fawr, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5HA

Telephone
01597 811121

info@nannerth.co.uk

Rhayader

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Choose from 3 quality self catering properties with hot tubs near Rhayader & The Elan Valley; an airy barn conversion, a traditional cosy cottage and a romantic apartment. Set on our 200 acre farm, Nannerth is set in astonishingly beautiful…

Price
Price £299.00 to £650.00 per unit per week
Brynglas Cottage

Address

Rhandirmwyn, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0PE

Telephone
07891 323547

info@brynglascottage.com

Llandovery

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Beautiful cottage with amazing views, wood burner, walks and cycle routes from the door and 2 pubs within short walking distance. Situated in a tranquil valley overlooking the river Towy, on the edge of the wild Cambrian Mountains, area of…

Price
Price £910.00 per unit per week