Powys Attractions

Powys attractions - Children attractions and places to visit in Powys

***Visitor attractions and information - Brecon***

	Brecon Castle, Brecon, Powys, Mid Wales, LD3. Evidence has been found of the manufacture of flint tools on the castle site, dating back 4000 to 5000 years. Brecon castle and town are Norman in origin. Location: In the centre of Brecon.

	Brecon Cathedral, The Cathedral Office, The Cathedral Close, BRECON, LD3 9DP. Tel: (01874) 623857. Visitors may use the Car Park adjoining the Cathedral, at no charge. Heritage Centre & Tithebarn Shop selling Religious souvenirs, religious books, crafts, greeting cards, cards for special occasions, wooden toys. Local Artists work displayed. www.breconcathedral.org.uk. Location: In the centre of Brecon.

	Brecknock Museum & Art Gallery, Captain's Walk, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7DW. Archaeology, Costume and Textiles, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Medicine, Music, Coins and Medals, and more. Toilets for disabled. access to all public areas. Location: In the centre of Brecon.

	Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre - "The Mountain Centre". Tel: 01874 623366. Opened in 1966. Offers stunning views of Pen Y Fan the highest mountain in South Wales. A refurbished refreshment lounge offers hot and cold lunches. National Park information section with books, maps and souvenirs. www.breconbeacons.org. About 5 miles west of Brecon.

	Brecon hotels

***Visitor attractions and information - Builth Wells***

	Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys LD2 3SY. Tel: 01982 553683. The annual Royal Welsh Show is one of the biggest events in Wales' Calendar. Check website for Future Show dates. www.rwas.co.uk. Location: On the outskirts of Builth Wells.

	Wyeside Arts Centre Ltd, Castle Street, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3BN. Tel: 01982 553668. Live Shows, Cinema, Visual Arts. www.wyeside.co.uk. Location: In the centre of Builth Wells.

	National Cycle Collection, The Automobile Palace, Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5DL. Tel: 01597 825531. Wheelchair accessible. Cycles, club badges, early period bicycles, tandems, trikes, mountain bikes, Accessories, Memorabilia. www.cyclemuseum.org.uk. About 6 miles north of Builth Wells.

	Builth Wells hotels

***Visitor attractions and information for Knighton***

	The Heart of Wales Railway Line is part of the main rail network. Travellers will be impressed by the rugged beauty, tranquil villages and picturesque Victorian spa towns along the 121 miles between Swansea and Shrewsbury. There are many wayside stations and halts where you can get off and explore the villages, quiet valleys, forests and hills. Train enquiries and ticket sales line - Tel: 01597 822053. www.howlta.org.uk.

	Stokesay Castle, Craven Arms, Shropshire SY7 9AH. Tel: 01588 672544. Stokesay Castle is the finest and best preserved 13th century fortified manor house in England. It nestles in peaceful countryside near the Welsh border, with its timber framed Jacobean gatehouse and the nearby Parish Church. The Great hall still retains its original medieval staircase. An inclusive audio-tour will help you to imagine its medieval splendour. About 12 miles north east of Knighton.

	The Judge’s Lodging, Broad Street, Presteigne, Powys, Mid Wales, LD8 2AD. Tel: 01544 260650. Aided by an interior hardly touched by time and original furnishings discarded in attics, extensive research and restoration has re-awakened this ‘Victorian fossil’. From the stunningly restored judge’s apartments to the dingy servants’ quarters below you can explore their gaslit worldand the damp cells. www.judgeslodging.org.uk. About 5 miles south of Knighton.

	Knighton hotels

***Visitor attractions and information - Llandovery***

	The Heart of Wales Railway Line is part of the main rail network. Travellers will be impressed by the rugged beauty, tranquil villages and picturesque Victorian spa towns along the 121 miles between Swansea and Shrewsbury. There are many wayside stations and halts where you can get off and explore the villages, quiet valleys, forests and hills. Train enquiries and ticket sales line - Tel: 01597 822053. Llandovery Station serves this pretty market town, situated amongst the undulating fertile meadows of the Tywi Valley. www.howlta.org.uk.

	Cwmerchon Nature Park, Cwmerchon, Llanwrda, SA19 8BA. Tel: 01550 777897. Nature park with 5 miles woodland walks, ponds, arboretum. About 6 miles west of Llandovery.

	Dolaucothi Gold Mines, Pumsaint, Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire, SA19 8US. Tel: 01558 650177. Gold mines in use from Roman times to the 20th century. Unique Roman gold mine set amid wooded hillsides. Guided tours of the underground workings and exhibition on gold. Opportunities to experience the frustration of gold panning. National Trust. Charges apply. www.nationaltrust.org.uk. About 8 miles west of Llandovery.

	Llandovery hotels

***Visitor attractions and information for Llandrindod Wells***

	The Heart of Wales Railway Line is part of the main rail network. Travellers will be impressed by the rugged beauty, tranquil villages and picturesque Victorian spa towns along the 121 miles between Swansea and Shrewsbury. There are many wayside stations and halts where you can get off and explore the villages, quiet valleys, forests and hills. Train enquiries and ticket sales line - Tel: 01597 822053. Thousands of tourists visit the largest and most famous of the mid Wales spa towns, Llandrindod Wells. www.howlta.org.uk.

	Red Kite Feeding Station, Gigrin Farm South Street Rhayader Powys LD6 5BL. Tel: 01597 810243. Red Kites, Ravens, Buzzards and other carrion feeding birds are fed daily. Hides are suitable for wheelchair access and viewing. Situated just off the A470 from Builth Wells to Rhayader. Half a mile before Rhayader town centre look out for the brown tourism sign on your right. www.gigrin.co.uk. Location: About 8 miles north west of Llandrindod Wells.

	Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys LD2 3SY. Tel: 01982 553683. The annual Royal Welsh Show is one of the biggest events in Wales' Calendar. Check website for Future Show dates. www.rwas.co.uk. Location: About 6 miles south of Llandrindod Wells.

	Wyeside Arts Centre Ltd, Castle Street, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3BN. Tel: 01982 553668. Live Shows, Cinema, Visual Arts. www.wyeside.co.uk. Location: About 6 miles south of Llandrindod Wells.

	National Cycle Collection, The Automobile Palace, Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5DL. Tel: 01597 825531. Wheelchair accessible. Cycles, club badges, early period bicycles, tandems, trikes, mountain bikes, Accessories, Memorabilia.www.cyclemuseum.org.uk. Location: In the centre of Llandrindod Wells.

	Llandrindod Wells hotels

***Visitor attractions and information - Llangurig***

	The Old Market Hall and Exhibition, Town Hall, Great Oak Street, Llanidloes, SY18 6HU. Tel: 01686 412388. The most distinctive building in Llanidloes. It is the only surviving timber-framed market hall in Wales. The museum displays information about the history, construction, use and future of timber-framing buildings. About 5 miles north of Llangurig.

	Welsh Royal Crystal, 5 Brynberth Industrial Estate, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5EN. Tel: 01597 811005. Centuries old handcrafting skills are used in the Welsh Royal Crystal glass making workshops. At Welsh Royal Crystal visitors can enjoy a tour of the manufacturing process which features glass blowing, cutting and decoration of the glass shape and final polishing. Shop stocked with Welsh Royal Crystal products at very affordable prices. www.welshcrystal.co.uk. About 9 miles south of Llangurig.

	Llangurig hotels

***Visitor attractions and information - Llanidloes***

	The Old Market Hall and Exhibition, Town Hall, Great Oak Street, Llanidloes, SY18 6HU. Tel: 01686 412388. The most distinctive building in Llanidloes. It is the only surviving timber-framed market hall in Wales. The museum displays information about the history, construction, use and future of timber-framing buildings. Location: In the centre of Llanidloes.

	Llanidloes hotels

***Visitor attractions and information - Llanwrtyd Wells***

	Cambrian Woollen Mill, Llanwrtyd Wells, Mid Wales, LD5 4SD. Tel: 01591 610211. The Cambrian Woollen Mill is where Powys tartan is woven. Guided tour for visitors. This living museum is an ideal place for a family day out. www.cambrian-mill.co.uk. About 1 mile north of Llanwrtyd Wells.

	Llanwrtyd Wells hotels

***Visitor attractions and information - Machynlleth***

	Talyllyn Railway Company, Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd LL36 9EY. Tel: 01654 710472. The Talyllyn Railway is a historic narrow-gauge steam railway, set in the beautiful Mid-Wales countryside. The line runs for seven and a quarter miles (11.8 km) through the beautiful Fathew valley. Running from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol, the line passes the delightful Dolgoch Falls and there are excellent forest walks at Nant Gwernol. www.talyllyn.co.uk. About 10 miles west of Machynlleth.

	Senedd-Dy Owain Glyndwr Heritage/Visitor Centre, Parliament House, Heol Maengwyn, Machynlleth, SY20 8EE. Tel: 01654 702827. Interpretive and brass-rubbing centre. Souvenirs, colourful display of photographs, notes, models and books depicting Welsh history in the Middle Ages and the story of Owain Glyndwr's rebellion. Location: On the outskirts of Machynlleth.

	Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 9AZ. Tel: 01654 705950. Europe’s leading eco-centre and set in beautiful countryside, the Centre is a unique visitor attraction with seven acres of interactive displays to inspire and entertain visitors of all ages. Ride the water-cliff railway, relax in our tranquil tropical organic gardens, enjoy our free holiday activities for kids and step inside Britain’s greenest building with gift shop and information centre. Open all year round, seven days a week. An amazing feat of engineering, and unique in Europe, the cliff railway is an ecologically sound way of transporting visitors between the car park, which is at valley floor level, and the centre itself which is in an old slate quarry, 180ft above. About 2 miles north of Machynlleth.

	Dyfi Furnace, Eglwys Fach. A restored mid-eighteenth-century charcoal-fired blast furnace, used for smelting iron ore. Surrounding woodland was plundered to keep the huge furnace going and a huge water mill was used to run equipment in the foundary. The water wheel still works to this day, and it is possible to follow through the early industrial processes on a tour of this site. About 5 miles southwest of Machynlleth.

	Machynlleth hotels

***Visitor attractions and information - Newtown***

	Montgomery Castle, Castle Hill, Montgomery, Powys. Montgomery Castle is located high above the town centre, is owned by Cadw and freely accessible, and has a car park. About 8 miles east of Newtown.

	Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust. Tel: 01978 761315. The Montgomery Canal runs from Newtown to Frankton locks, east of Oswestry. See website for full details. www.montgomerycanal.me.uk.

	Dolforwyn Castle, Dolforwyn, Powys. The ruins of Dolforwyn Castle stands on a wooded hill overlooking the Severn valley towards Newtown to the south and Montgomery to the east. About 4 miles north east of Newtown.

	Newtown hotels

***Visitor attractions and information - Rhayader***

	Red Kite Feeding Station, Gigrin Farm South Street Rhayader Powys LD6 5BL. Tel: 01597 810243. Red Kites, Ravens, Buzzards and other carrion feeding birds are fed daily. Hides are suitable for wheelchair access and viewing. Situated just off the A470 from Builth Wells to Rhayader. Half a mile before Rhayader town centre look out for the brown tourism sign on your right. www.gigrin.co.uk. Location: On the outskirts, south of Rhayader.

	Welsh Royal Crystal, 5 Brynberth Industrial Estate, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5EN. Tel: 01597 811005. Centuries old handcrafting skills are used in the Welsh Royal Crystal glass making workshops. At Welsh Royal Crystal visitors can enjoy a tour of the manufacturing process which features glass blowing, cutting and decoration of the glass shape and final polishing. Shop stocked with Welsh Royal Crystal products at very affordable prices. www.welshcrystal.co.uk. Location: On the outskirts, north of Rhayader.

	National Cycle Collection, The Automobile Palace, Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5DL. Tel: 01597 825531. Wheelchair accessible. Cycles, club badges, early period bicycles, tandems, trikes, mountain bikes, Accessories, Memorabilia. www.cyclemuseum.org.uk. Location: About 8 miles south east of Rhayader.

	Rhayader hotels

***Visitor attractions and information - Welshpool***

	Powis Castle & Garden, Welshpool, Powys SY21 8RF. Tel: 01938 551929. Medieval castle with celebrated garden. Powis Castle has one of the finest collections of paintings and furniture in Wales. Garden tea-room. Bedroom open for display. National Trust. Charges apply. Location: On the outskirts of Welshpool.

	Montgomery Castle, Castle Hill, Montgomery, Powys. Montgomery Castle is located high above the town centre, is owned by Cadw and freely accessible, and has a car park. About 7 miles south of Welshpool.

	Offa's Dyke Path is one of twelve designated National Trails. Built by Offa, King of Mercia in 757 to 796 AD the dyke formed the boundary between England & Wales, running 182 miles from Prestatyn in the north to Sedbury, near Chepstow in the south. www.offas-dyke.co.uk. Welshpool is on the Offa's Dyke Path.

	Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust. Tel: 01978 761315. The Montgomery Canal runs from Newtown, through Welshpool, to Frankton locks, east of Oswestry. See website for full details. www.montgomerycanal.me.uk.

	Welshpool hotels

***Visitor attractions and information - Ystradgynlais***

	Glantawe Riverside Park, Off the A4067 Pontardawe, Nr Neath. Tel: 01639763333. Recreation area on the site of a reclaimed tinplate works. About 7 miles south of Ystradgynlais.

	Dan yr Ogof Caves, Abercrav, Upper Swansea Valley. Tel: 01639 730284. Experience the great Dan yr Ogof Day Out, and discover the largest showcave complex in Western Europe. Continual cutting and washing by a river through limestone rock has left startling and beautiful stalagmite deposits which have to be seen to be believed. About 6 miles north of Ystradgynlais.

	Aberdulais Falls, Aberdulais, nr Neath, Neath & Port Talbot, SA10 8EU. Tel: 01639 636674. Famous waterfalls and fascinating industrial site. The largest waterwheel currently used in Europe to generate electricity. Turbine house providing access to an interactive display, fish pass and observation window. Audio tours and quiz trail for the family National Trust. Charges apply. www.nationaltrust.org.uk. Location: About 9 miles south of Ystradgynlais.

	Ystradgynlais hotels

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