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Castles in Mid Wales | Historic Fortresses and Ruins

Castles Across Mid Wales

Mid Wales has castles from every period of Welsh history. Some are UNESCO World Heritage Sites with walls intact. Others are atmospheric ruins on hilltops where sheep graze among the fallen stones. A few have been lived in continuously for centuries and are open to visitors with gardens, collections and tea rooms.

The Major Castles

Harlech Castle is the most dramatic, perched on a rocky outcrop above the coast with views across Tremadog Bay to the Llyn Peninsula. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Edward I's iron ring of fortresses. Powis Castle near Welshpool is altogether different, a medieval castle that became a grand country house, famous for its terraced gardens, which are among the finest in Wales.

Aberystwyth Castle stands in ruins on the headland, but the setting above the seafront is worth a visit. Montgomery Castle is a hilltop ruin with views across the Severn Valley into England.

Quieter Castles Worth Finding

Castell y Bere, near Dolgellau, is a native Welsh castle built by Llywelyn ab Iorwerth in the 1220s. It sits in a remote valley beneath Cadair Idris. Tretower Court near Crickhowell combines a medieval house with a castle tower. Cardigan Castle has been restored and hosts events, markets and exhibitions.

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Inspiration

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Bala & Penllyn | Scenic Drives

Address

Bala & Penllyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7AD

Bala

Explore Bala & Penllyn by road using the free Trail leaflets, which you can download. Each Trail has fascinating local history information, picnic locations, walks, refreshments and toilets.
www.GoBala.org
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Llyn Barfog Walk

Address

Cwm Maethlon | Happy Valley, Aberdyfi, GWYNEDD

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Aberdyfi

Start: Snowdonia National Park Authority car park, Cwm Maethlon/Happy Valley
Grid Reference: SN 640 986
Distance: 5 km - 3.1 miles (shortcut 4 km – 2.5 miles)
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Open moorland, firm tracks, fields and tarmac road.
Aberystwyth Castle

Address

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2AG

Telephone
01970 612125

Ceredigion

In the marvellous sweep of Cardigan Bay stand the ruins of one of Edward I's late 13th century castles. Of the seven major English strongholds he established in Wales, Aberystwyth Castle has fared least favourably in the survival stakes.
Walking Newtown | Brimmon Wood & Kerry

Address

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

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Newtown

The Brimmon Wood & Kerry walk starts and ends in the centre of Newtown. It is mainly off-road walking with a few short sections on quiet lanes.
Aberystwyth Railway Station

Address

Alexandra Rd, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1LH

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Aberystwyth

The railway station is the terminus of the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury. Located close to the town centre, there is a taxi rank and bus station adjacent.
Abergwesyn Pass | Scenic Drive

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells - Tregaron, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Llanwrtyd Wells

The Abergwesyn Pass from Llanwrtyd Wells is a 20 mile single track route that runs through an almost brutally wild landscape of Abergwesyn Common moors, escarpment, pine forest and scurrying streams
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.
North Clettwr Valley Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - North Clettwr Valley Walk
Start: SN452425 - Car Park, Capel Dewi church hall
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Easy
Distance: 3.2km/2M
Time: 1 hour (excluding rest stops)
Coed Crafnant Reserve

Address

Llanbedr, Gwynedd, LL46 2YA

Telephone
01248 351541

info@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

Gwynedd

This 120 acre reserve is a fine example of Ancient Woodland, with a rich flora of mosses, liverworts and ferns. The Coed Crafnant Reserve is comprised of two distinct woodlands; Coed Crafnant and Coed Dolbebin.
Hay Castle | Castell Y Gelli

Address

Oxford Road, Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5DG

Telephone
01497 820079

info@haycastletrust.org

Hay-on-Wye

Hay Castle sets the imagination soaring. Once a great medieval stronghold, the castle and the grounds in the welsh borderlands are alive with possibilities once again as a centre for cultural, arts and education.
Offa's Dyke Path National Trail

Address

Wales, LD7 1EP

Telephone
01597 827580

odpnt@powys.gov.uk

Crossing the border between England and Wales more than ten times in its 293km (182m), the Offa's Dyke Path passes through some of the most attractive landscape.
Wales Coast Path | Aberystwyth - Borth

Address

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberystwyth

If you're looking for a short, yet picturesque walk along the coast, the Wales Coast Path from Aberystwyth to Borth is an ideal option. This 5-mile (8 km) section is a delightful path, albeit with one or two hills to conquer.
Coed Maen Arthur | Woodland Walk

Address

Coed Maenarthur Woodland, Pontrhydygroes, Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Devil's Bridge

Coed Maen Arthur is a woodland in the Ystwyth valley near the village of Pont-rhyd-y-groes, 14 miles from Aberstwyth. The waymarked walk goes through the woodland to Castell Grogwynion, one of the largest hill forts in Wales, and passes near an…
Circular Walk 5 - Coed y Graig

Address

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

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Newtown

Rated as easy, this is a pub based walk that starts and finishes at the Waggon and Horses in Lower Canal Road, Newtown
Llwyngwril Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Llwyngwril, LL37 2JS

Telephone
08457 484950

Llwyngwril

Llwyngwril railway station is on the Cambrian Coast line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
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
The Epynt Way

Address

Sennybridge, Brecon, LD3 9RG

enquiries.epynt@gmail.com

Brecon

THE EPYNT WAY is a 65 km long distance path around the circumference of the Sennybridge Training Area. It is open to walkers, equestrians and mountain bikers. The trail is well marked with frequent, yellow-topped marker posts which have green and…
Lôn Mawddach | Mawddach Cycle Route

Address

Barmouth - Dolgellau, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL40 2TA

Telephone
01654 702653

info@mwtcymru.co.uk

Barmouth

The Mawddach Trail is flat and totally traffic free, making for a superb 18 mile return trip.
The route follows the course of the old railway line from Dolgellau to Barmouth with picnic areas, viewpoints and little nature reserves.
Sustrans Route 8 | Dolgellau - Llanelwedd

Address

Dolgellau Town Centre, LL40 1SR

Telephone
01179268893

reception@sustrans.org.uk

The cycle route heads inland from the town of Dolgellau across the Cambrian Mountains and heads South East towards Builth Wells and Llanelwedd.
Barmouth Walking Festival

Address

Abermaw | Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, Gwynedd, LL42 1LS

Telephone
07581 700877

hello@barmouthwalkingfestival.co.uk

Dates

From:

12 Sept 2026to21 Sept 2026

Another year, another great set of walks. Immerse yourself in stunning coastal scenery, explore rich history, and savour local delights.
Roundton Hill Nature Reserve

Address

Old Churchstoke, Churchstoke, Powys, SY15 6EL

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Churchstoke

From the top of Roundton Hill it's easy to see why an Iron Age hillfort was once sited here - the vantage point offers great viewing across the surrounding countryside.