To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Learn more

You are here: Experience and Enjoy > Something Different

Something Different in Mid Wales

Surprising finds. Those experiences and activities that make for great adventures.
Look closer at Mid Wales and you’ll find we’re home to some unique experiences.
For the best out of the ordinary things to see and do during your visit, you’ve come to the right place.

Off the Beaten Track

Mid Wales is not really a mainstream destination, which is part of what makes it good. The things worth doing here tend to be the ones you would not find anywhere else.

Heritage railways wind through valleys that roads never reached, using lines built to serve lead mines and quarries over a century ago. The Vale of Rheidol, Talyllyn and Welshpool lines all still run, mostly thanks to dedicated volunteers.

Guided tours with local experts can take you to places that are hard to find on your own, from hidden waterfalls in the Cambrian Mountains to Iron Age hillforts on ridgelines above the Severn Valley.

Unique experiences include foraging walks, farm visits, bushcraft sessions and photography workshops. These work well as a change of pace, especially on a longer stay when you want to do something you have not done before.

Check individual pages for what is available and book ahead where possible, as most run in small groups.

Inspiration

Number of results: 995

, currently showing 589 to 609.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Rhyd y Gaseg (NRW)

Address

Clocaenog Forest (NRW), Nr Llanfihangel, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 2AS

Telephone
0300 068 0300

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ruthin

Try this lovely mixed woodland, coppice and riverside walk with some towering poplar trees. Includes two fords, a historic weir and waterfall.
Coming out of Ruthin on the B5105 turn left opposite Llanfwrog church. Car Park 0.5mles
Powis Castle | Courtyard Restaurant

Address

Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8RF

Telephone
01938 551920

powiscastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

Welshpool

Powis Castle’s restaurant has long been acknowledged as an example of excellence. Enjoy a variety of traditional dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients such as organic Welsh black beef, sourced from a local farm.
Dinas Mawddwy

Address

Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, LL49 9LP

Dinas Mawddwy

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.
Aberteifi | Cardigan

Address

Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 1JL

Telephone
01545 570602

aberaerontic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Cardigan

Cardigan sits on the border between Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire with many superb beaches & coastal walks nearby.
Tinsel & Turkeys Special | Talyllyn Railway

Address

Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway, Gorsaf Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Dates

From:
5 Dec 2026
From:
12 Dec 2026

A festive steam train ride & full cooked Christmas Lunch, what more could you want? The ‘Tinsel & Turkey Special’ departs from Tywyn Wharf at 10:30 & 14:10, with your full Christmas lunch being served in King’s Café at 13:15 - just after or just…
Lon Las Cymru | Rhayader to Llangurig

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01597 826605

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader

Although this is not strictly a traffic free route, this minor gated road running down the Wye Valley carries next to no traffic as the main A470 runs parallel, on the other side of the valley, all the way from Llangurig to Rhayader.
Art Class – Christmas Cards

Address

Gregynog Hall & Gardens, Tregynon, Newtown, Powys, SY16 3PL

Telephone
01686 650224

enquiries@gregynog.org

Newtown

Dates

From:
23 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 13:00
From:
30 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 13:00
From:
7 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 13:00

Join artist Amanda Caldwell and learn how to paint a Frosty Landscape. This class is suitable for beginners and those with previous experience of painting with watercolours and pen & ink.
Knighton Bus Station

Address

Bowling Green Lane, Knighton, LD7 1DR

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@traveline.cymru

Knighton

Knighton bus station is off Bowling Green Lane with services to Ludlow.
Walking Newtown | Neuadd Hendidley Farm

Address

Y Drenewydd | Newtown, Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BB

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Newtown

The starting point for this walk is the Newtown Town Clock in the town centre and unfolds through Newtown's historical tapestry. It is approximately 3.5 miles and should take around 3.5 hours
Llys-y-Frân Lake & Visitor Centre

Address

Llys y Frân, Clarbeston Road, Pembrokeshire, SA63 4RR

Telephone
01437 532273

llysyfran@dwrcymru.com

Clarbeston Road

Llys y Frân Lake has reopened following a £4m refurbishment with a new Visitor Centre, cafe, cycle hire, fishing, walking, watersports, adventure playground and climbing wall
Cadair Idris | Walking Routes (NRW)

Address

Cadair Idris, Southern Snowdonia, LL39 1AX

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Southern Snowdonia

There are three recommended walking routes to conquer Cader Idris. Whichever route you take they are all designated ‘hard/strenuous’ routes, and you should allow between five to six hours to get there and back
Christmas Wreath Workshops at Llanerchaeron

Address

Ciliau Aeron, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA48 8DG

Telephone
01545 570200

llanerchaeron@nationaltrust.org.uk

Aberaeron

Dates

From:

5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026

Create a beautiful festive wreath for your front door this Christmas at Llanerchaeron.
International Ceramics Festival 2027

Address

Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DE

Telephone
01970 623232

artstaff@aber.ac.uk

Aberystwyth

Dates

From:

25 June 2027to27 June 2027

The biennial festival features demonstrations, kiln builds and spectacular firing sculptures, talks and discussions, films, exhibitions, performances and lectures as well as hands-on activities for visitors to get involved.
Llandrindod Wells Christmas Lights Switch On and Lantern Parade

Address

Town Centre, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6BL

clerk@llandrindodwellstowncouncil.co.uk

Llandrindod Wells

Dates

From:
27 Nov 2026

Join the festive celebrations in Llandrindod Wells as the town welcomes Christmas with its annual parade and Christmas lights switch-on.
Harlech

Address

Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2YA

Harlech

Harlech is a historic town on the Snowdonia coast which has fantastic beaches, Royal St David's - one of Wales' finest golf courses and Harlech Castle which a World heritage site.
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.
The Table Mountain Walk

Address

Crug Hywel | Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1AA

Telephone
01873 812105

Powys

The Table Mountain is clearly visible from most places in Crickhowell. It is just to the north of the village on the eastern shoulder of the much larger Pen Cerrig-calch which dominates the northern views. Grid Ref: SO218185
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Pennal Walk

Address

Pennal, MACHYNLLETH, Powys, SY20 9DR

Telephone
0300 065 3000

MACHYNLLETH

Start: Pennal village
Grid Reference: SH 699 004
Distance: 13.2km – 8.3 miles
Grade: Strenuous – A mountain walk, not to be undertaken in poor visibility
Maps: OS Explorer – OL 23
Tregaron

Address

Tregaron, Ceredigion, SY25 6JL

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythTIC@Ceredigion.gov.uk

Tregaron

Tregaron is a town where history, legend, and nature intertwine—offering visitors a truly authentic Welsh experience. Whether you’re drawn by the wildlife, the scenic routes, or the rich folklore, this is a place where the past comes to life amid…
Welshpool Railway Station

Address

Welshpool Relief Rd, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 7AZ

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Welshpool

Welshpool/Y Trallwng railway station is on the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth.
Barmouth to Fort William Three Peaks Yacht Race

Address

Southern Snowdonia, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL42 1LS

info@threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk

Barmouth

Dates

From:
12 June 2027

The Barmouth to Fort William Three Peaks Yacht Race combines yachting, mountain running and cycling into one of the greatest adventure challenges in British sport.