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Birdwatching in Mid Wales

Mid Wales is where the red kite was saved. By the 1960s, this bird had been reduced to just a handful of breeding pairs in the remote valleys of the Cambrian Mountains. From that tiny population, the kite has recovered across the whole of Wales and beyond, and today you can see them overhead from almost anywhere in Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.

Two feeding stations give guaranteed close-up views. At Gigrin Farm near Rhayader, red kites gather every afternoon for the daily feed, and at Nant yr Arian near Aberystwyth the kites come down to the lake while you watch from the cafe terrace. Both are worth visiting, and on a good day you might count fifty or more birds circling overhead.

Ospreys returned to Wales at the Dyfi estuary near Machynlleth. The Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust runs the Dyfi Osprey Project with live nest cameras and a public viewing point open from April to September. Watching a fish eagle return to its nest with a catch is one of the best wildlife experiences in Britain.

The oak woodlands of Mid Wales, particularly in the Dyfi valley, around Lake Vyrnwy and in the Elan Valley, hold breeding pied flycatchers, redstarts, wood warblers and tree pipits in spring and summer. These are some of the most important woodlands for these species in the UK.

On the Ceredigion coast, choughs nest on the cliffs between Aberystwyth and Cardigan. Upland moors across the Cambrian Mountains support breeding curlew, golden plover, ring ouzel and merlin. The estuaries of the Dyfi and Mawddach draw wading birds and wildfowl through autumn and winter.

For guided birdwatching, check listings for local wildlife guides who know where to find the birds at different times of year.

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Circular Walk 3 - Fachwen Pool

Address

Y Drenewydd | Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BB

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Powys

Starting in the center of Newtown, this route follows the long distance Severn Way to the lake and returns via Penshwa Lane and Ffrydd Farm.
NCN Lon Cambria

Address

Mid Wales, SY20 8TG

Telephone
01654 702653

info@showmewales.co.uk

Lon Cambria is a 113-mile cycle route in the National Cycle Network which runs from Aberystwyth on the west coast of Wales, through the Cambrian Mountains and the Mid Wales Marches to Shrewsbury.
Ticket to Christmas – Rheidol Railway

Address

Rheidol Railway, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1PG

Telephone
01970 625819

info@rheidolrailway.co.uk

Aberystwyth

Dates

From:

16 Dec 2026to23 Dec 2026

Experience the wonder of Christmas with a special festive trip on the Vale of Rheidol Railway. Climb aboard the much-loved Santa Special and enjoy a memorable steam train journey through the beautiful Welsh countryside, surrounded by the sights,…
Montgomery Cycle Trail | Llandyssil and Abermule

Address

Circular Cycling Route, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Telephone
01938 552043

admin@montgomery-wales.co.uk

Montgomery

There are five Montgomery Cycle Trails based in and around Montgomery that will provide you with beautiful views of the dramatic countryside of the Mid Wales Marches. Cycle Parking is available in Broad Street in the town centre.
Llangammarch Wells

Address

Llangammarch Wells, Powys, LD4 4EE

Llangammarch Wells

Llangammarch Wells lies south-west of Builth Wells and east of Llanwrtyd Wells and is the smallest of the four spa towns/villages of Mid Wales.
Puccini Gianni Schicchi | Mid Wales Opera Small Stage Autumn Tour - Newtown

Address

Y Hafren, Llanidloes Road, Newtown, Powys, SY16 4HU

marketing@midwalesopera.co.uk

Newtown

Dates

From:
23 Oct 2026Open 19:30 -

Mid Wales Opera presents a full evening of Italian opera, opening with Puccini’s brilliant, one-act comedy Gianni Schicchi, one of the greatest and most sublime of all Italian comic operas.
The Spirit of Christmas | Talyllyn Railway

Address

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

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Dates

From:
19 Dec 2026

This one’s for the grown-ups – you can take a trip on this festively decorated & heated train through the beautiful Fathew Valley – culminating in a luxury festive afternoon tea at Abergynolwyn!
Wales Coast Path - Carmarthenshire

Address

Llanelli - Amroth, Carmarthenshire, SA67 8NG

Telephone
0300 065 3000

wcp@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Carmarthen Bay is a coastline of great contrasts and takes in a range of habitats including fresh water marshes, salt marshes (including the largest continuous salt marsh in Wales)
Hafren Forest (NRW)

Address

Hafren Forest (NRW), Rhydybenwch Car Park, Old Hall, Near Llanidloes, SY18 6PT

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Old Hall, Near Llanidloes

Choice of walking trails along the River Severn which flows through Hafren Forest. Trails go to waterfalls and the source of the Severn on Pumlumon. Riverside accessible trail with viewing platform over cascades. Picnic area and toilets.
The Shrine Church of Saint Melangell

Address

Pennant Melangell, Llangynog, Powys, SY10 0HQ

Telephone
01691 860408

admin@stmelangell.org

Llangynog

St Melangell's is one of the loveliest small churches in Britain, and one of the most remote. Its famous shrine attracts many visitors, but not enough to disturb its tranquillity.
Cymer Abbey (Cadw)

Address

Vaynor Farm, Llanelltyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2HE

Telephone
0300 025 6000

cadw@gov.wales

Dolgellau

Dates

From:

1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026

From:

1 Nov 2026to31 Mar 2027

The serene ruins of Cymer Abbey stand in a lovely setting beside the River Mawddach. Particularly impressive are its great windows, arches and an unusual tower. Saif olion heddychlon Abaty Cymer mewn lleoliad hyfryd ger Afon Mawddach.
Sustrans Route 81: Rhayader - Shrewsbury

Address

Rhayader Town Centre, Rhayader - Shrewsbury, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01179268893

Rhayader - Shrewsbury

This section of route 81 heads North East via Llanidloes, Newtown and Welshpool towards Shrewsbury and England.
Dolgellau

Address

Southern Snowdonia, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 1PS

Dolgellau

Dolgellau is the ideal base to explore southern Snowdonia's dramatic scenery, adrenalin-fuelled activities and world heritage attractions. It's a historic mountain town built on the wool trade and steeped in folklore.
Mid Wales Rail Trails | Barmouth to Porthmadog.

Address

Barmouth Railway Station, Station Approach, Barmouth - Porthmadog, LL42 1LS

Barmouth - Porthmadog

Mid Wales Rail Trails | Points of interest travelling on the Cambrian Line from Barmouth to Porthmadog.
Morfa Mawddach Railway Station

Address

Morfa Mawddach, Gwynedd, LL39 1BQ

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Morfa Mawddach

Morfa Mawddach railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli and is located south-east of Barmouth, south of the Mawddach estuary.
Barmouth Beach

Address

Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL42 1NE

Telephone
01341 281617

info@barmouthstation.com

Gwynedd

Barmouth is southern Snowdonia’s most popular seaside resort. In summer, its big sandy beach is a magnet for visitors, yet there’s so much space along miles of unbroken sands that it never gets overcrowded.
Talley Woodlands (NRW)

Address

Talley, near Llandovery, SA19 7AX

Telephone
0300 065 3000

near Llandovery

Talley Woodlands overlook an historic village and ruined abbey in Carmarthenshire, 12 miles from Llandovery. Picnic area and waymarked walking trails with steep climbs and far-reaching views over the abbey and surrounding hills
Aberystwyth Arts Centre | Conferences - Meetings

Address

Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DE

Telephone
07875664179

aum@aber.ac.uk

Aberystwyth

The Arts Centre can cater for events and conferences up to the capacity of 900 people.
Award winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre is Wales’ largest arts centre and recognised as a 'national flagship for the arts'.
Real Ale Ramble - Green Events

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
07493 654 048

Bob.g@green-events.co.uk

Llanwrtyd Wells

Dates

From:

21 Nov 2026to22 Nov 2026

Held in conjunction with the Mid-Wales Beer Festival, the Llanwrtyd Wells Real Ale Ramble follows one of 2 waymarked routes of 12 or 20 miles or 2 guided routes of 5 and 8 miles.
Lôn Mawddach | Mawddach Trail

Address

Mawddach Estuary, Southern Snowdonia, LL40 2TA

Southern Snowdonia

The walk along the estuary from Barmouth to Dolgellau is 9.6 miles (15km). This easy leisure walk is suitable for all the family and involves no climbing. A section of the trail has been adapted for people with disabilities.
Fforest Fawr UNESCO Global Geopark

Address

Brecon Beacons National Park, Powys, LD3 8ER

Telephone
01639 730395

enquiries@fforestfawrgeopark.org.uk

Powys

The Geopark is set within the Brecon Beacons National Park in south Wales. It comprises the western half of the National Park, stretching from Llandovery north to the edge of Merthyr Tydfil south, from Llandeilo west to Brecon east.