Mid Wales & The Beacons
Take a deep breath and feel the difference. This is Wales’ great outdoors. From
the rugged beauty of the Berwyn Mountains in the north to the rolling spaces and
flat topped summits of the Brecon Beacons in the south, the scenery, despite all
that fresh air, will leave you breathless. Discover the space of the country’s heartland,
where there are plenty of activities to keep you interested all year round. Walk
ancient pathways, drive glorious mountain roads, enjoy the thrills of outdoor adventure
or simply relax in the elegance of Victorian spa towns.
Wye Valley Walk
This is a beautiful 136 mile trail which runs from just outside Chepstow up to the
slopes of Plynlimon in Powys, crisscrossing backwards and forwards over the border
on the way. Whether you fancy just a couple of hours’ stroll in the countryside
or two weeks’ heavy walking, all you need to do is follow the leaping salmon signposts.
From limestone gorges in the south, through to the rolling hills of the centre and
the rugged crags of the Mid Wales uplands this trail won’t disappoint.
Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons are 520 square miles of natural beauty. Here you’ll find some
of the most stunning and picturesque views in all of Britain. An area known for
its outstanding quality of light, the crags and peaks of the Black Mountains in
the north west gradually give way to the limestone rocks and lush green grass of
the hills of the Beacons in the east.
Hay-on-Wye Festival
Small this town may be, but if you are a second hand book lover, this is, quite
frankly, the centre of the universe. After all, it’s not only home to over 30 book
shops, but also the Literary Festival in May. Ever popular, it’s well worth a visit,
if only to rub shoulders with some genuine literary giants.
Brecon
Found in the north of the area, Brecon is ideally placed as a starting point for
exploring some of the most beautiful upland areas of the national park with the
highest peak, Pen y fan, to the south of the town. Brecon itself is a charming little
town famous for its Georgian architecture, Jazz Festival and the River Usk.
Heart of Wales Scenic Railway
This 120 mile long stretch of track runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea with Llandrindod
Wells as its mid-point. On your way, you’ll see stunning surroundings and landscapes,
picturesque rural communities and pass through six tunnels and over seven bridges.
Llandrindod Wells
This is Wales’ most famous spa town. It grew rapidly in the 19th century
with the Victorian fad for taking the waters. At its peak, over 80,000 people a
year were visiting the town’s spa. Its heritage is celebrated every year with a
Victorian Festival in the last week of August when the town’s heyday is recreated
in style.
Llanwrtyd Wells
Officially the smallest town in Britain with only 700 inhabitants, it’s also one of the most eccentric. Fancy watching a ‘Man vs. Horse’ race? Bog snorkelling your thing? Then come to Llanwrtyd Wells. It’s also a great place to discover some fantastic countryside, go fishing and get some bird watching in.
Glyndwr's Way (Welshpool to Knighton)
This is a relatively new trail to follow. Consisting of 132 miles of trail passing
through Radnorshire and Montgomeryshire and taking in mountains, rivers, barren
upland and bogland. For many walkers, its appeal is its solitude, it’s less popular
than the busy Offa’s Dyke path and it passes through more remote, but no less stunning
scenery.
Cambrian Mountains
Between the better known Snowdonia and Brecon Beacon National Parks, lie the Cambrian
Mountains. A large wild, unpopulated area, but one of great beauty, sometimes referred
to as ‘The Green Desert of Wales’. The hills and upland valleys provide the water
for the start of many of Wales’ great rivers and if you’re an outdoors enthusiast,
ths is a fantastic area to explore.
Welshpool
You’ll find Welshpool in the River Severn valley just 3 miles from the border with
England (the ‘Welsh’ part was added in the 1830s to prevent confusion with Poole).
It’s a busy little market town, but its most famous attraction is Powis Castle.
Originally built by the Welsh princes, it was later owned by the Powis family before
being given to the National Trust. With its stunning grounds and fascinating collections,
it’s a popular place to visit.
Machynlleth
Despite having a population of only 2,000, Machynlleth was shortlisted as a possible
capital of Wales in the 1950s. This could be due in part to being home to Owain
Glyndwr’s parliament in the 15th century - the remains of which can be visited here.
Also worth a look are the Museum of Modern Art and the Spectrum Gallery.