Local Attractions
From quaint market towns and historic castles to natural wonders, adventure activities, country pursuits and watersports, we’re the perfect base for a huge range of mid Wales attractions.
Local Towns
MACHYNLLETHMachynlleth’s 700-year-old market is held on Main Street every Wednesday. The town is home to a broad selection of independent shops and the famous clock tower, which can be seen from all directions.
DOLGELLAU
Dolgellau is steeped in history and a great base for exploring Snowdonia. Many of the prettiest walks are only a few minutes’ drive away, including Torrent Walk and Precipice Walk.
MONTGOMERY
Montgomery is a charming county town with a history that stretches back to Roman occupation. Explore the Georgian town square and market hall with the 13th-century Montgomery Castle dominating the skyline. Located nearby is Monty’s Brewery and visitor centre.
PORTMEIRION
Known for its iconic pottery and architecture, Portmeirion is an Italian-style village home to a cluster of historic cottages, a spa, stylish shops, award-winning restaurants, casual cafes, an Italian ice cream parlour, exotic gardens and sandy beaches.
ABERAERON
A picturesque and thriving seaside town, Aberaeron is famed for its brightly coloured Georgian and Regency architecture. There are plenty of interesting independent shops, cafes and restaurants, and it's a perfect start and end point for a walk along the Wales Coast Path.
SHREWSBURY
Located just 9 miles from the Welsh border, Shrewsbury is a historic market town, known for its historic medieval architecture. Wander the cobbled streets and explore the many boutique shops and eateries.
HARLECH
Situated within the Snowdonia National Park, this seaside town in North Wales is famous for its historic castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s so much to see and do here, including visiting the stunning beach and huge sand dunes, which form the Morfa Harlech Nature Reserve. The town is split into two parts, connected by a steep street.
Local Attractions
POWIS CASTLE
This medieval castle rises dramatically above the celebrated garden. Take a stroll around the garden and admire the shapes of the topiary and intricately trained fruit trees and enjoy breathtaking views across the Severn Valley and Breidden Hills from the Top Terrace.
RED KITE FEEDING
Hundreds of majestic Red Kites feed at this 200-acre, family-run working farm every day. It is a truly breathtaking spectacle. The Red Kite Centre is located in beautiful countryside, in the heart of Mid Wales, overlooking both the Wye and Elan Valleys, and just half a mile from the market town of Rhayader.
BWLCH NANT YR ARIAN NATURE RESERVE
Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre sits at the head of a dramatic valley and boasts commanding views of Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains. It is well-known for its long-established tradition of daily feeding of red kites, Wales’ National Bird of Prey. There is a range of waymarked trails for walkers, mountain bikers, and runners.
DEVIL'S BRIDGE FALLS
Devil’s Bridge Falls is a world-famous tourist attraction 12 miles from Aberystwyth. These unique waterfalls have attracted thousands of visitors since the 18th century. The Falls Nature Trail provides a unique opportunity to see this astounding natural feature in the Rheidol Gorge.
ZIP WORLD
Sit back and zip away as you and your friends fly down Europe’s largest zipping zone! Take flight on 3 exhilarating zip lines and soak up the amazing quarry views during the experience of a lifetime.
ZIP WORLD SLATE CAVERNS
Do you dare to try Caverns? Fly, climb and traverse your way through their unique underground course in a disused slate mine.
DYFI OSPREY PROJECT
In 2011, for the first time in over 400 years, Ospreys bred in the Dyfi valley on the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve site, the home of the Dyfi Osprey Project. The Visitor Centre includes four screens displaying live pictures from the resident Osprey nest. The 360 Observatory is the centrepiece of the Dyfi Osprey Project, providing superb bird viewing opportunities and 360° panoramic views of the Dyfi Valley.
MOMA (MUSEUM OF MODERN ART) MACHYNLLETH
The Museum of Modern Art flourishes in seven beautiful galleries alongside The Tabernacle, a former Wesleyan chapel which opened as a centre for the performing arts in 1986. The Tabernacle was converted from a Wesleyan chapel into a centre for the performing arts.
CAMBRIAN SAFARI
Cambrian Safaris provides excursions deep into the Cambrian Mountains in a Land Rover Discovery. They provide flexible tours so you can experience spectacular landscapes, views, scenery, local history and wildlife, all at your own pace.
RALLY DRIVING
Forest Experience is a Full Rally Test Stage set in 900 acres of Welsh Forest with 7 miles of twisting, turning, hilly forest roads. All the driving is done in the Forest, making use of our 2-mile forest loop and spectator bowl area, where you can get to grips with the car and learn various rally driving techniques.
WALKING WITH ALPACAS
Meet the alpacas of Snowdonia and enjoy a leisurely walk around the farm, alpaca in tow, with a variety of landscapes, including natural bog, ancient oak woodlands, and traditional grazing land.
DYFI BIKE PARK
Discover an impressive 650-mile bike park, located in the heart of the beautiful Dyfi Forest. Enjoy a thrilling range of trails for all levels and refresh in the forest cafe.
MOUNTAIN BIKING – LLANIDLOES
Go on a 2-wheeled journey through some of the most beautiful scenery in Wales. Rides are tailored for every ability, from novice riders and first-time off-road trail riders, to epic multi-day journeys across Wales for the seasoned rider.
MOUNTAIN BIKING COED Y BRENIN
As the UK’s first and largest dedicated mountain bike trail centre, Coed y Brenin has miles of exceptional tracks for experienced and expert riders and intermediate trails for all abilities.
KING ARTHUR'S LABYRINTH
Discover the ultimate underwater storytelling adventure as you’re guided through the underground labyrinth by a hooded Dark Age Boatman. This attraction is closed during the winter months.
CORRIS MINE EXPERIENCE
A rare opportunity to adventure underground into the abandoned and forgotten world of the slate miner. Tucked away in the hillsides of Corris in Mid Wales, uncover the stories of the Victorian slate miners.
PHEASANT & PARTRIDGE SHOOTING
Over the past 30 years, Bettws Hall has developed several exclusive sporting estates across Mid Wales. They provide challenging game shooting in beautiful countryside, specialising in pheasant and partridge days.
MID WALES SHOOTING CENTRE
This family-run Clay Pigeon Shooting Centre, based a few miles from Newtown, is situated in over 300 acres of some of the finest and most beautiful Welsh countryside.
DOVEY VALLEY SHOOTING GROUND
High above the Dovey Valley in Central Wales, 350 acres provide the ideal setting for an exhilarating shoot with a wide range of targets which simulate the birds in truly realistic conditions.
FLY FISHING
Andrew Cartwright Game Angling is situated in the upper Severn valley at Caersws. Andrew is passionate about trout and grayling fishing in the rivers of Wales and teaches both children and adults in all forms of fly casting, tying, game angling, spinning and bait casting.
FISHING
Fishing in mid Wales is predominantly for trout, but coarse, carp, pike and salmon fishing is available. A number of commercial fisheries and reservoirs offer coarse fishing for carp, pike, perch, tench, bream, roach and other silver fish. Depending on the time of year, most reservoirs, rivers, lakes and streams in Powys provide good sport for fly fishing anglers looking for wild brown trout, rainbow trout, grayling and salmon.
MUSHROOM PICKING
Led by experienced guide, Daniel Butler, de-mystify and identify the different types of fungi from the good, the bad and the ugly to the genuinely delicious.
FALCONRY EXPERIENCE
Get up close and personal to some of the most beautiful birds of prey. Handle and learn about a range of birds, including hawks, owls, eagles and falcons.
CANOEING & KAYAKING
Kayaks and canoes can be hired from March to October, so you can enjoy a leisurely self-guided paddle down the River Severn or along the Montgomery Canal.
MACHYNLLETH GOLF CLUB
This much-loved nine-hole heathland golf course is surrounded by wonderful mountain scenery. The golf course is challenging, enjoyable and provides a good test of golf for players of all levels.
ST GILES GOLF CLUB - NEWTOWN
A charming nine-hole course situated alongside the River Severn in the heart of Wales. The 6012-yard course is a challenging par 70 parkland style course conveniently situated between the A483 road and the River Severn on the outskirts of the Mid Wales market town of Newtown.
ST IDLOES GOLF CLUB
Discover an idyllic 9-hole golf course in the heart of Wales with panoramic views over the Llandinam hills. The club has a wonderful, friendly atmosphere, which is extended without reservation to visitors.
PONY TREKKING
Situated in the stunning Elan Valley and taking different routes through the valleys, rivers and woodlands, Lion Royal Pony Trekking Centre caters to all levels of ability from novice to advanced riders.