Wales Middle Attractions
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Counties: Powys and DyfedThe area known as Mid Wales takes in the former counties of Montgomery and Radnor and part of Brecknock, now forming the new county of Powys (county town Llandrindod Wells), the former county of Cardigan, which is now part of Dyfed, and parts of Merioneth and Carmarthen.
Fairbourne Railway
South of where the estuary of the River Mawddach opens into Barmouth Bay lies Fairbourne, with the smallest narrow-gauge railroad in the country, the "Great Little Trains of Wales", running along the coast to the Barmouth passenger ferry.
Fairbourne - Butterfly Farm
Anyone interested in rare butterflies should visit the Butterfly Farm in Fairbourne.
Llwyngwril, Wales
Along from Fairbourne is the beach resort of Llwyngwril, at the foot of Cadair Idris. From there the A 493 continues to Rhoslefain, where it leaves the coast and goes inland to Llanegryn (2mi/3km), a quiet little village whose church has a finely carved roof and a Norman font.
Peniarth
Near Llanegryn is the mansion of Peniarth, where the famous Peniarth manuscripts, now in the National Library in Aberystwyth, were collected.
Craig yr Aderyn
From Peniarth the road runs along the windings of the little River Dysynni for 2.5mi/4km to Craig y Aderyn, the nesting-place of large numbers of sea birds, including cormorants. A little further on, the ruins of Castell y Bere, perched on a hilltop the far side of Llanfihangel, provide a fairy-tale-like backdrop. The fortress, which dates back to pre-Norman times, was already in ruins by the 14th century.
Castell y Bere
A little way from Craig yr Aderyn, the ruins of Castell y Bere, perched on a hilltop the far side of Llanfihangel, provide a fairy-tale-like backdrop. The fortress, which dates back to pre-Norman times, was already in ruins by the 14th century.
Abergynolwyn - Talyllyn Railway
From Craig yr Aderyn a little road leads over to Abergynolwyn, the terminus of the Talyllyn Railroad from Tywyn, which is claimed to be Wales's oldest narrow-gauge line (opened 1865) and has a width of only 27ins/67.5cm. It used to carry slate from the Abergynolwyn quarries but is now run for the benefit of holidaymakers, who enjoy delightful views of narrow gorges and woodland, with a glimpse of the Dolgoch Falls.
St Cadfan's Stone
In St Cadfan's Church, which is mainly Norman, can be seen Cadfan's Stone, 7ft/2m high, with the oldest inscription in the Welsh language written in old uncial lettering (seventh/eighth century).
Aberdovey, Wales
From Tywyn the coast road runs south to the mouth of the River Dovey and the town of Aberdovey/Aberdyfi, a favored spot among sailing and angling enthusiasts.
Dyfi Valley Way Walking Trail
The 108-mile / 173-kilometer route runs from the Irish Sea at Aberdyfi, across the Aran mountains, past Lake Bala and then back through Machynlleth to the Borth coast.
Plas Penhelig
The Plas Penhelig is an informal garden overlooking the river Dovey. There are pools, terraces, rock gardens, herbaceous borders, mature tree heathers and a variety of flowers including tulips, azaleas, rhododendrons and magnolias. A separate kitchen garden is walled-in and includes vines and peaches.
Machynlleth, Wales
Some 10.5mi/17km up the Dovey valley from Aberdovey is Machynlleth (pop. 1,900), an attractive little town with broad tree-lined streets, little shops and a tall Victorian clock-tower. In the Middle Ages the rebel Owen Glendower (Owain Glyndwr) held his first parliament in 1404 to govern Wales. Plas Machynlleth, built in 1671, was formerly a residence of Lord Londonderry. Anyone interested in alternative technology should pay a visit to the new Centre for Alternative Technology.
Dyfi Furnace
The Dyfi charcoal-burning furnace dates from the mid-18th century. It is one of Britain's best-preserved charcoal-burning blast furnaces and its waterwheel has been restored to working order.
Center for Alternative Technology
The Center for Alternative Technology has exhibitions about water and solar power, low-energy dwellings and organic gardens.
Celtica (closed)
ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.Celtica is a new visitor attraction that features the history and culture of the Celtic people. Its displays bring to life the Celtic life past, present and future.
Corris
Corris is a small town about 6mi/10km north of Machynlleth.
King Arthur's Labyrinth
Take a boat ride along an underground river in King Arthur's Labyrinth. Through a combination of stunning sound and light effects and tableaux the enduring tales of the ancient king are presented.
Corris Craft Centre
There are nine craft workshops on display at the Corris Craft Centre. The skills of pryography, wooden toy-making, pottery, jewellery, leather working and candle-carving are featured.
Ynyslas & Borth, Wales
From Machynlleth the A 487 runs southwest at a distance of some 3mi/5km from the coast, on which are the little seaside resorts of Ynyslas, at the mouth of the Dovey, and Borth, with a beautiful 3mi/5km long sandy beach. The road runs through Tre'r Ddol and Tre Taliesin, small villages which are good centers for walking in the Plynlimon range, above the flat coastal area between the Dovey valley and the Vale of Rheidol, and comes to Talybont.
Talybont, Wales
Talybont has a number of craft producers, particularly hand-weavers renowned for their tweed. In the old Celtic stone grave behind the village, the bard, Taliesin, the "Homer of Wales", is supposed to be buried.
Llandrindod Wells, Wales
From Rhayader drive east by either the A 470 or the A 44 to reach the county town of Powys, Llandrindod Wells (pop. 4,065), the leading spa of Wales, with magnesium, sulfur, chalybeate and other springs. In its heyday the town attracted some 80,000 visitors every year to take the cure, mainly for rheumatism and gout. From this period it has preserved a legacy of Georgian houses, wide streets, spacious parks and numerous hotels. There are excellent facilities for sport and entertainment, while the museum on Temple Street has an interesting archaeological collection. The golf-course, 1,100ft/335m above sea level, with fine views of the valley below, is one of the highest in Britain. There is good fishing in the River Eithon and the lake in the middle of the town.
Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival
This annual week-long festival takes place in mid- to late August, when the town turns back the clocks to the Victorian ages. Street theater and bandstand concerts are only some of the events offered during the Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival.
Presteigne, Wales
Presteigne (pop. 1,517) is located just inside the Welsh county of Powys, east of Llandrindod Wells.
Presteigne Festival of Music and Arts
Presteigne's annual week-long festival runs during late August.
Castell Collen
A mere 2mi/3km to the north of Llandrindod Wells, at Castell Collen, are the remains of a Roman camp.
Howey
From Llandrindod Wells the A 483 runs south to Builth Wells, where the Irfon flows into the Wye, passing through the quiet little village of Howey. Formerly it was a town of some consequence, with four markets a year, near the drove road on which the cattle were driven from Wales into England.
Builth Wells, Wales
Builth Wells is still an important cattle market, the scene of the Welsh Agricultural Society's annual show in July, to which the best cattle in Wales are sent. The town itself was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1691. Of the medieval castle which once stood here practically nothing is left.
Royal Welsh Agricultural Show
This annual festival takes place in early December.
Aberedw & Erwood, Wales
From Builth Wells the A 470 ascends the beautiful Wye valley, passing through Aberedw, with a very fine 15th century church and its famous rocks, and Erwood, a pretty little place on the Wye, where Henry Mayhew is said to have conceived the idea of "Punch", to the Black Mountains and the Welsh Marches.
Llanrhystyd, Wales
On the coast south of Aberystwyth are the seaside resorts of Llanrhystyd and Llannon, both with shingle beaches. Then comes Aberaeron, an old fishing port (pop. 1,300) with many Georgian houses, at the mouth of the Aeron.
Aberaeron - Llanerchaeron
Llanerchaeron is a late 18th C house built by John Nash. The estate park has commanding views of the surrounding countryside.
Lampeter, Wales
From Aberaeron it is worth while making an excursion inland to Lampeter, a little market town in the Teifi valley, noted for the horse market in May which attracts buyers and sellers from all over Britain.
St David's College
St David's College (founded 1827), in a fine neo-Gothic building, has university status and has close associations with Oxford and Cambridge.
Tregaron, Wales
About 10mi/16km northeast of Lampeter and situated amid beautiful hills is Tregaron, a popular place with summer visitors. For those interested in nature, the high moorland area called the Bog of Tregaron is a nature reserve, covering an area of 500sq.mi/1,300sq.km, is well worth visiting.A very good location for seeing a Red Kite.
New Quay, Wales
Southwest of Aberaeron is New Quay/Cei Newydd (6.5mi/11km), a pleasant seaside resort with plenty of entertainment and a good beach.
Llangranog, Wales
Beyond New Quay is Llangranog, most picturesque with its small bay between high cliffs. A path leads to Ynys Lochtyn, with the remains of an old castle.
Aberporth
Aberporth is a very popular resort with a good sandy beach.
Mwnt
A pleasant trip can be made to Mwnt, a charming and secluded beach with beautiful cliff scenery.
Glyndwr's Way Walking Trail
This 120-mile / 195 kilometer walking trail passes through a variety of terrain in Mid Wales. The route runs from Offa's Dyke Path at Knighton and Welshpool to Machynlleth.
Mid Wales May Festival
This annual two-day festival takes place in mid-May and includes musical and dance performances.Art exhibitions, craft stalls and a non-animal circus are also organized as part of the festival.
Newtown, Wales
Newtown is located just inside the Welsh border next to the English county of Shropshire.
Gregynog Music Festival
This annual week-long festival, Gregynog Music Festival, takes place in late June and includes nightly performances of orchestral, chamber, choral and organ music.Internationally-acclaimed musicians perform works by Handel and his contemporaries in the Gregynog mansion.
Eisteddfod
Newtown's annual festival runs from late May to early June in Eisteddfod Field. This is said to be one of the largest youth festivals in Europe and usually includes over 12,000 participants from throughout Wales in various musical competitions.
Welshpool, Wales
In the most southerly part of North Wales, close to the border with England, is Welshpool/Trallwng (pop. 7,000), former county town of Montgomeryshire. It lies on the River Severn and has many Georgian houses. Of interest are the 14th century church of St Mary's and the Powysland Museum, with many Roman and old Welsh finds from the region.
Powis Castle
Powis Castle, 1mi/2km to the south of Welshpool, has for over 500 years been the seat of the Earls of Powis. Built of red sandstone, it has largely preserved the appearance of a 13th-14th century castle in spite of restoration work in the 16th century. The Long Gallery has fine plaster decoration and pieces of early Georgian furniture, while in the Oak Drawing Room there is a portrait of the first Earl of Powis by Gainsborough. The terraced gardens were laid out in the early 18th century with balustrades and arcades and lead into the park, which was designed by "Capability" Brown and boasts some magnificent oak-trees.The garden features a centuries' old 30-foot high yew hedge. The gardens also include old roses, orangery and herbaceous plants.
Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway
The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway is one of the most attractive narrow-gauge railroads still in operation.
Mid Wales Festival of Transport
This two-day festival takes place in early July.
