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You are here: Destinations > Central Powys

Central Powys | Heart of Mid Wales

The heart of Mid Wales.

First town on the River Wye, Rhayader aka ‘The Outdoors Capital of Wales’ is home to the spectacular dams and reservoirs of the Elan and Claerwen Valleys.

Llandrindod Wells, or 'Llandod' as it is known to locals, is Wales' most central town. The term 'Llandrindod Wellness' or 'Llawen-drindod' reflects Llandod’s spa town heritage and the importance of wellness. Their traditional town emblem features Hygieia, the Goddess of Health. Llandrindod Wells Lake is a peaceful place to walk, run, cycle or just sit and watch the wildlife, do a spot of fishing or hire a boat to explore the lake from the water. Visit the annual Victorian Festival and The National Cycle Museum, also in Llandrindod Wells.

The area around Knighton in Powys is perfect walking country. Knighton is unique in Wales in that two National Trails meet - Offa's Dyke Path and Glyndwr's Way. A visit to the Offa's Dyke Visitor Centre on West Street is a must. Knighton is also home to the Spaceguard Centre, an independent observatory which monitors the potential threat to our planet posed by near earth objects.

Presteigne, (Llanandras in Welsh), was once the county town of Radnorshire and is at the heart of the Marches on the border of Wales and England. The surrounding countryside is breathtaking, and the drive from Presteigne to Aberystwyth was voted one of the ten most beautiful drives in the world by the AA. Just to the west are Radnor Forest and Offa's Dyke. Go slightly south-west and you can browse the book shops of Hay on Wye.

Builth Wells is on the banks of the River Wye. The Royal Welsh Showground plays host to Wales's Royal Agricultural Show in July each year and a number of smaller shows and fairs throughout the year.

Must-See Attractions in Central Powys

Elan Valley Estate & Visitor Centre

Elan Valley is just 3 miles from Rhayader on the southern edge of the Cambrian Mountains in Mid Wales. The area is famous for its spectacular dams and Victorian architecture and it is also a designated International Dark Skies Park, perfect for stargazing. There is a large Visitor Centre at Elan Valley which is a good starting point for your visit.

Hergest Croft Gardens

Created over 100 years by three generations of the Banks family, there are hidden valleys, woodland glades, open parkland, gloreous flower borders and striking autumn colour.

The Judge's Lodging, Presteigne

Wander through the stunningly restored judge's apartments, study the books, sit in the judge's chair, even pump water in the kitchen, for this is an historic house with a difference - you can touch!

Want to Canoe?

River Wye Canoe Hire and Guided Adventure Tours.

Towns to Visit

Builth Wells hosts the Royal Welsh Show. Rhayader is the gateway to the Elan Valley dams and red kite country. Llandrindod Wells is a Victorian spa town with parks and a lake. Knighton and Presteigne are quiet border towns with strong identities.

Inspiration

Llandrindod Wells

Llandrindod Wells, or 'Landod' as it is known to locals, is the administrative centre of Powys and one of its largest towns. As the name suggests, Llandrindod Wells owes its origins to the spring waters.
Llanfair ym Muallt | Builth Wells

Builth Wells is home to the Royal Welsh Show, red kites and the final resting place of Wales' last prince, Llewelyn the Last.
Llanandras | Presteigne

Presteigne, (Llanandras in Welsh), was once the county town of Radnorshire and nestles at the heart of the Mid Wales Marches on the border of Wales and England. Presteigne and Norton have been designated by DarkSky International as the very first Dark Sky Community in the UK.
Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader

A busy, historic market town, Rhayader is named after 'Rhayadr Gwy', a Welsh name for a local waterfall on the Wye. The town is situated in the very heart of Mid Wales in the beautiful Upper Wye Valley sheltered by the Cambrian Mountains.
Tref-y-Clawdd | Knighton

Knighton is a Mid Wales Marches town with a remarkable landscape and rich history. Located on the scenic Heart of Wales railway line, it makes a great base to explore the Offa's Dyke Path or Glyndwr's Way National Trails.
Cambrian Mountains | Wild Heart of Wales

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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.
Scrambled Eggs - Easter Hunt

Address

Elan Valley Visitor Centre, Elan Valley, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5HP

Telephone
01597 810880

elanvalley@dwrcymru.com

Rhayader

Scrambled Eggs! Join us at the Elan Valley over the Easter holidays for an Easter hunt with a difference.
Llanwrtyd Wells | Heritage Trail

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Llanwrtyd Wells

Many of the locations in Llanwrtyd Wells have an interesting history and walking the Heritage Trail is an excellent way of learning about the town and taking in the beautiful surroundings.
Ludlow

Address

Shrophire, SY8 1AS

Telephone
01584 875053

info@ludlow.org.uk

Located 28 miles south of Shrewsbury and 23 miles north of Hereford, the town of Ludlow is significant in the history of the Welsh Marches and neighbouring Wales which is 14 miles to the west.
Llangynllo Railway Station

Address

Llangynllo, LD7 1SY

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Llangynllo railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea and is located 1.5 miles north of the village.
The Pales Quaker Meeting House

Address

Llandegley, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5UH

Telephone
01597 810031

tyolaf@gmail.com

Llandrindod Wells

The Pales is the oldest Quaker Meeting House in continuous use in Wales. Set in the Radnor Hills near Llandrindod Wells, the Meeting House is open every day, all year, for visitors who value peace, solitude and natural beauty.
St Michaels Church

Address

Discoed, Nr Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2NL

Telephone
01547 560246

davidhiam@aol.com

Nr Presteigne

Friends of St Michael's raise funds for the ancient church on the Welsh border near Presteigne. St Michael's in Discoed (Old English 'dic' and 'cot' a cottage by Offa’s Dyke) acts as a both a spiritual and artistic hub to the community.
Rhayader to Devil's Bridge | Scenic Drive

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Rhayader to Devil's Bridge, Powys, LD6 5BU

Rhayader to Devil's Bridge

Described by the AA as “one of the 10 best scenic drives in the world”, expect spectacular scenery as you travel the watershed of the Cambrian Mountains,
RSPB Carngafallt Nature Reserve

Address

Elan Valley, Glanfaron, Rhayader, LD6 5HW

Telephone
01654 700222

carngafallt@rspb.org.uk

Glanfaron

Carngafallt is a wonderful place to see birds or simply enjoy the view. The moorland landscape looks especially colourful in late summer, while spring is the perfect time to come and see migrant birds.
Llanwrtyd Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Llanwrtyd Wells, LD5 4RW

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Llanwrtyd Wells

Llanwrtyd railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line that runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Three Rivers Road Ride

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
01591 610666

info@llanwrtyd.com

Powys

THREE RIVERS ROAD RIDE
Distance 30.5 (19m)
Time 1.5 - 3hrs
Presteigne Festival

Address

Various Venues, Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2YT

Telephone
01544 267800

bookings@presteignefestival.com

Presteigne

The annual Presteigne Festival is Internationally renowned for its commissioning of new work, support of living composers and with a long tradition for the encouragement of talented young artists.
Coed Nash | Nash Wood (NRW)

Address

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2YT

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Powys

Just outside the historic town of Presteigne, Nash Wood lies half in Wales and half in England. The circular walking trail goes to a viewpoint overlooking one of the many hillforts along this part of the border.
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.
Tref-y-Clawdd | Knighton Railway Station

Address

Tref-y-Clawdd | Knighton, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN

Knighton

Knighton Station is on the border between England and Wales. The town is situated on two National Trails routes and mid point along the famous Offa’s Dyke.
Rhayader | Walking & Hiking

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01597 810561

enquiries@rhayader.co.uk

Rhayader

Get off the beaten path and explore everything that Rhayader and the Elan Valley has to offer, from gentle relaxing walks to something to challenging the most experienced climbers.
NIcky Grist Stages

Address

Llanfair ym Muallt | Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3BU

Llanfair ym Muallt | Builth Wells

The Nicky Grist Stages takes place on Saturday 11 July 2026 in and around Builth Wells. Based in the town centre, the rally features competitive forest stages across mid-Wales and attracts crews from major UK rally championships.
The Irfon View Road Ride

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
01591 610666

info@llanwrtyd.com

Powys

THE IRFON VIEW ROAD RIDE
Distance 14km (8.7m)
TimE 1 - 2 hrs
Burfa Bog Nature Reserve

Address

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2SH

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Powys

A low-lying reserve with Knobley brook running through the wet grassland. Butterflies and flowers are abundant in the spring and summer months.
Hay Festival

Address

Dairy Meadows, Brecon Road, Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5AD

Telephone
01497 822629

boxoffice@hayfestival.org

Hay-on-Wye

Hay Festival Wales will take place 22 May - 1 June 2025 featuring some of the world’s greatest writers, thinkers and performers live from Hay-on-Wye.