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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 Centre

Address

West Street, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN

Telephone
01547 528753

oda@offasdyke.org.uk

Knighton

The Offa's Dyke Centre is positioned at about the halfway point of the Offa's Dyke Path National Trail and at the start of the Glyndwr's Way National Trail.
Royal Welsh Winter Fair

Address

Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3SY

Telephone
01982 553683

requests@rwas.co.uk

Builth Wells

As one of the finest prime stock shows in Europe, the Winter Fair draws crowds from far and wide to enjoy two-days packed full of competitions, festivities and Christmas shopping.
Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader

Address

Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

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.
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.
EnduroGP of Wales 2026

Address

Cwmythig Hill, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5NS

info@endurogp.wales

Rhayader

EnduroGP of Wales 2026 – The Grand Finale
6th – 9th August 2026
Tref-y-Clawdd | Knighton

Address

Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN

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.
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.
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.
Builth Road Railway Station

Address

Llechrhyd Terrace, nr Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3PY

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@traveline.cymru

nr Builth Wells

Builth Wells has a railway station two miles north of the town; Builth Road is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Knighton Bus Station

Address

Bowling Green Lane, Knighton, LD7 1DR

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@traveline.cymru

Knighton

Knighton bus station is off Bowling Green Lane with services to Ludlow.
Bogathlon - Return of the mud! - Green Events

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
07493 654048

Bob.g@green-events.co.uk

Watch friends, family and fellow competitors as they race around the bog field!
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.
Glyndwr's Way National Trail

Address

Trail Start - Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN

Telephone
01597 827562

helen.tatchell@powys.gov.uk

Powys

A 132 mile trail set in the heart of Mid Wales breathtaking countryside, dedicated to the 15c Welsh warrior and self proclaimed Prince Owain Glyndwr
Bucknell Railway Station

Address

Weston Rd, Bucknell, Shropshire, SY7 0AD

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@traveline.cymru

Bucknell

Bucknell railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Crychan Forest (NRW)

Address

Crychan Forest (NRW), Llangammarch Wells, Powys

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Llangammarch Wells

The Crychan & Halfway Forest is set in beautiful countryside nestling between the Brecon Beacons & the Cambrian Mountains. Miles of waymarked trails for horse riding, cycling and walking take you through tranquil gorges, along old drover's routes &…
Warren Wood | Waterfall & Walks (NRW)

Address

Warren Wood, Near New Radnor, Powys

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.co.uk

Powys

Walk along a gorge to the Water-Break-its-Neck waterfall, a popular destination for Victorian tourists. Explore the woodland and see some of the largest trees in Radnorshire.
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.
Llandrindod Railway Station

Address

Station Crescent, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5BB

Telephone
01597 822053

Llandrindod.bookingoffice@tfwrail.wales

Llandrindod Wells

Llandrindod railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line that runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Kington Spring Walking Festival

Address

In and Around Kington, Kington, Powys, HR5 3AU

Telephone
07708 668316

info@kingtonwalks.org

Kington

Kington Walks Spring Weekend is a walking festival in April to give everyone a chance to experience the glorious countryside at a different time of year.
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.