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

You are here: Experience and Enjoy > Wildlife & Nature > Castles

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.

#e7d9ca

Inspiration

Number of results: 1025

, currently showing 861 to 880.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Y Gelli Gandryll | Hay-on-Wye

Address

Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5DG

Telephone
01982 553307

Hay-on-Wye

Hay-on-Wye - in Welsh 'Y Gelli Gandryll' or just 'Y Gelli' is well known as 'the town of books' and is home to the Hay Literature Festival.
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…
Bwlch Nant yr Arian | Walking Trails (NRW)

Address

Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre, Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AB

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth

Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre sits at the head of a dramatic valley and has commanding views of Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains. Expect beautiful scenic walking trails all of which are waymarked and start from the visitor centre.
Shrewsbury Bus Station

Address

Raven Meadows, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 1PL

Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury bus station is at Raven Meadows in the town centre with services to Mid Wales.
As You Like It - Illyria at Cardigan Castle

Address

Cardigan Castle & Gardens, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 1JA

Telephone
01239 615131

info@cardigancastle.com

Cardigan

Dates

From:
18 Aug 2026

Illyria Theatre presents As You Like It. This lively comedy follows Rosalind’s adventures in the Forest of Arden, where disguises, romance, and humour lead to unexpected discoveries about love and identity.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Machynlleth to Dyfi Wildlife Centre

Address

Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

This walk starts at the car park at Y Plas, Machynlleth and is graded as moderate. The terrain includes road, woodland paths, firm tracks and fields and is a distance of 5 miles.
Blaenau Ffestiniog

Address

Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3HS

Telephone
01766 512981

porthmadog.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk

Blaenau Ffestiniog

Blaenau Ffestiniog is famously known as the "slate capital of Wales" and the "town that roofed the world". Its industrial role has long since diminished, yet Blaenau Ffestiniog attracts many visitors because of its rich slate history.
National Eisteddfod Genedlaethol 2026

Address

Llantood, Nr Cardigan, Pembrokeshire, SA43 3NU

Telephone
0845 4090 800

gwyb@eisteddfod.org.uk

Nr Cardigan

Dates

From:

1 Aug 2026to8 Aug 2026

The National Eisteddfod is a celebration of the culture and language and the 2026 Eisteddfod will be held at Llantwd (Llandudoch), North Pembrokeshire
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.
Cwmtydu Beach

Address

New Quay, Ceredigion, SA44 6LQ

Telephone
01545 570881

tourism@ceredigion.gov.uk

New Quay

Cwmtydu is an attractive, quiet beach that was once a harbour used as a traditional smugglers’ hideaway.
Aberporth | Dolwen & Dyffryn Beaches

Address

Aberporth, Ceredigion, SA43 2DD

tourism@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberporth

Aberporth, a pretty coastal village, shelters two beautiful sandy beaches named Dolwen and Dyffryn. Low tide comes complete with little rock pools on the sandy beach where children gather for hours of entertainment.
Gwyl Portmeirion Festival

Address

Portmeirion, Minffordd, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ER

Telephone
01766 770000

post@portmerion.wales

Penrhyndeudraeth

Dates

From:
22 Aug 2026Open 18:00 - 23:00
From:
29 Aug 2026Open 18:00 - 23:00

Set against the colourful backdrop of Portmeirion, the Gwyl Portmeirion Festival 2026 promises a summer of music and celebration. Marking the village’s 100th anniversary, the event brings together renowned artists and Welsh talent for a unique…
EnduroGP of Wales 2026 - The Grand Finale

Address

Cwmythig Hill, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5NS

info@endurogp.wales

Rhayader

Dates

From:

6 Aug 2026to9 Aug 2026Open 16:00 - 22:00

The EnduroGP of Wales returns to Mid Wales from 6 - 9 August 2026 as the final round of the FIM EnduroGP World Championship.
Aberaeron | Cycle Routes

Address

Aberaeron, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0BT

Telephone
01545 570602

aberaerontic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberaeron

There are two cycle routes that start from Aberaeron Tourist Information Centre. There is also a 2 mile cycle trail from Aberaeron to Llanerchaeron.
Cefn Cenarth Nature Reserve

Address

Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5LR

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Powys

Two areas of upland sessile oak woodland connected by a recently felled conifer plantation now replanted with native broadleaved species. An important place for mosses and lichens.
Llandysul/Pont-Tyweli South Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - Llandysul / Pont-Tyweli South Walk
Start: SN418406 - Car Park, Llandysul
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 9km/5.6M
Time: 2.5hrs (excluding rest stops)
Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) Beach

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL44 2HD

Telephone
01341 281617

info@barmouthstation.com

Barmouth

Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) is a long sandy beach backed by an extensive sand dune system between Shell Island and Dyffryn Ardudwy.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Centre for Alternative Technology Walk

Address

Centre For Alternative Technology, Llwyngwern Quarry, Pantperthog, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9AZ

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Pantperthog, Machynlleth

Start: Centre for Alternative Technology
(C.A.T) car park
Grid Reference: SH 754 044
Distance: 7.1 km – 4.4 miles
Grade: Moderate (some steep sections)
Terrain: Firm tracks, roads and open grassland
Maps: OS Explorer OL23 or 215
Aberystwyth Bus Station

Address

Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1LH

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@traveline.cymru

Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth bus station is next to the railway station with services from/to London, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Bangor, Haverfordwest, Fishguard and Cardigan.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Cae Adda Walk

Address

Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

Start: Near Dovey Valley Shooting Centre
Limited car parking
Grid Reference: SH 806 051
Distance: 10 km – 6.2 miles
Grade: Moderate with some steep sections
Terrain: Fields, rough tracks
Maps: OS Explorer - 215