- Shrewsbury
- Shrewsbury set amidst glorious countryside near to the Welsh Borders, it is one of England's finest medieval market towns.
- Welshpool
- Welshpool, Powys the bustling market town is surrounded by the rolling hills of Montgomeryshire and the glorious unspoilt countryside in Mid Wales.
- Newtown
- Newtown, Powys the ancient market town is located in the heart of the magnificent Montgomeryshire countryside nestling on the banks of the River Severn.
- Llanidloes
- Llanidloes, Powys nestling amidst the eastern slopes of the Cambrian Mountains, Llanidloes is one of the great little market towns of Mid Wales.
- Rhayader
- Rhayader, Powys a small historic market town in Mid Wales. It is also the gateway to Elan Valley and set in the Cambrian mountains.
- Cwmystwyth
- Cwmystwyth, Ceredigion a site of special scientific interest set in the Ystwyth Valley.
- Pont-rhyd-y-groes
- Pontrhydygroes, Ceredigion A village lying in the picturesque Ystwyth valley, once described as “Little Switzerland”.
- Aberystwyth
- Aberystwyth, Ceredigion is Mid Wales' main seaside resort, an established university town and an important administrative centre at the heart of Cardigan Bay.
National Cycle Network Route 81 - Lôn Cambria
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is the principle town of Ceredigion. Accessible by road or rail, the many shops, bars, cafe's, restaurants and hotels make it an ideal place to stay and enjoy the sights of northern Ceredigion. It has a vibrant nightlife due in part to the many students from the University. Aberystwyth has numerous attractions including Aberystwyth Castle, the National Library of Wales, Constitution Hill, Aberystwyth harbour, the Marina, the delightful Ceredigion Museum and the not forgetting the seafront itself.
Pontrhydygroes
A village lying in the picturesque Ystwyth valley, once described as “Little Switzerland”, that owes its being to the Lisburne Estates metal mining adventures especially in the mid 1800’s. The village still has remarkable visible mining heritage in the form of a count house, Miners Bridge - and the Miners Arms Inn!
The village also marks the start of NCN 82 - where 81 & 82 split.
The Ystwyth Trail is a 34 km cycleway, bridleway and pedestrian trail that will stretch from Aberystwyth to Tregaron. utilising where possible the disused railway, Public Rights of way and quiet green lanes. The trail is surprisingly a gentle route, taking you on a leisurely journey, through some spectacular countryside, which includes two National Nature Reserves, Pendinas near Aberystwyth and Cors Caron Bog near Tregaron and 10 acres of deciduous woodland near Trawscoed.
Hafod
Hafod is recognised as one of the finest examples in Europe of a picturesque landscape. Thomas Johnes (1748-1816), laid out its grounds in a manner suited to displaying its natural beauties in sympathy with the 'Picturesque principles' fashionable at the time, with circuit walks allowing the visitor to enjoy a succession of views and experiences. Hafod became an essential destination for the early tourist in Wales.
Cwmystwyth
The spectacular Ystwyth Valley is a popular leisure route between Aberystwyth and Rhayader. At Cwmystwyth you will pass through one of the oldest recorded metal mine sites in the UK - at some 4,000 years old. The later workings are breathtaking in their expanse.
Cwmystwyth has a unique landscape, the once industrialised valley now only has crumbling remains as memorials to the miners that worked here.
The area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is a scheduled ancient monument.
www.spirit-of-the-miners.org.uk
Elan Valley
In the Mid 19th century, Birmingham's growing need for water prompted a search for a reliable supply. The Elan Valley and Claerwen area west of Rhayader, with its 1500mm of rainfall each year and easily dammed valleys were ideal. The ambitious scheme, originally to build 6 dams to pump a regular supply of water some 72 miles to the city of Birmingham, was led by the great Victorian mayor of Birmingham, Joseph Chamberlain. Work on the construction of the dams began in 1893 with the building of the Birmingham Corporation railway to transport materials and workers. King Edward VII opened the Elan Valley dams in 1904. The three Claerwen dams were never built, but replaced by one large dam constructed between 1946 and 1952 and opened by Queen Elizabeth II, one of her first duties as monarch. The Graig Goch dam is a superb example of Victorian engineering, and is a spectacular sight after heavy rainfall, when the entire face is covered by a 130 foot high curtain of white water.
The old Birmingham Corporation Railway line has recently been developed into a 8 mile traffic free recreational cycle and walking route, linking the town of Rhayader with the Elan Valley. Stop for a cup of tea or a picnic at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre, which houses an interesting exhibition about the construction of the dams and their impact on the communities living in the area.
Rhayader
The ancient market town of Rhayader, or ‘Rhaeadr Gwy’, which is welsh for ‘Waterfall of the Wye’, is the oldest town in Mid Wales, dating back to the 5th Century, and for many years was an important stopping point for drovers, monks and mail coaches. The town became infamous during the Rebecca Riots of 1843, when men dressed up as women and tore down turnpike gates in protest against high tolls. Rhayader sits on a picturesque section of the Wye Valley, just 20 miles from the source of the River Wye, which is famous for its salmon. The town is also the gateway to the Elan Valley, a series of spectacular reservoirs set in a 45,000 acre estate, noted for its natural beauty, flora and fauna, and the perfect location to spot a Red Kite, the recently threatened species which is emblematic of Powys, and fortunately now increasing in number.
Llanidloes
This lively and attractive small town which marks the centre of Wales, was granted a charter by Edward 1 in 1280, and was one of the original ‘planned towns’ with its wide streets set out in the shape of a cross. The town centre, with its tree lined streets and interesting mixture of half timbered, Georgian and Victorian architecture, is further distinguished by the spectacular half timbered Market Hall built on wooden stilts, which was built in 1609 and is the only survivor of its kind in Wales. Today it houses a fascinating exhibition of the history of timber framed building through mid Wales. Llanidloes was also the setting of a Chartist uprising in 1839, which resulted in three townsmen being transported to New South Wales.
Minerva Arts Centre is the home of the Quilt Association and its collection of heritage quilts, including a large number of antique quilts made in the Wales in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Arts Centre hosts a series of interesting arts and craft exhibitions throughout the year.
In the Plynlimon mountains above Llanidloes are the sources of both the river Severn and the river Wye.
Newtown
On the banks of the River Severn, Newtown is the largest town in Powys, and during the early 19th century was at the centre of the thriving Welsh flannel and textiles industry. An enterprising draper, Pryce-Jones, established the first ever mail-order company, the Royal Welsh Warehouse in 1861, selling Welsh flannel all over the world. Robert Owen, founder of the co-operative movement, was Newtown's most famous son. Born in 1771, the drapers apprentice rose to become a factory manager, and showed that it was possible to run a profitable business while treating his workers fairly and providing good living, working and educational facilities. He went on to set up model communities in Scotland and America before returning to Newtown in 1858. Today Newtown is renowned for good shopping, while the flourishing Tuesday market has being going since 1279. The Oriel Davies gallery is also worth visiting, hosting an adventurous programme of art and craft exhibitions.
Montgomery Canal
Extending south from the popular Llangollen Canal, the Montgomery Canal passed through the counties of Shropshire and Powys on its 35 mile journey to Newtown. This narrow canal has 25 locks and passes over three rivers as is descends the Severn Valley. The canal was built in three phases between 1796 and 1821, and in its heyday, transported limestone which was burned in limestone kilns along side the canal to produce fertiliser for local agricultural needs. Other cargo included wood, coal, corn, leather and passengers.
By the 1930's usage had declined and in 1936 a decision was made not to repair the canal and it was abandoned. After the Second World War, efforts were made to encourage the restoration of the canal, and in 1969 over 200 enthusiasts spent a weekend cleaning the canal in Welshpool, and a small section was reopened to boats. Further restoration work continued, and in 1980 the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust was established to guide and progress all future work. To date just over half of the canal has been restored, and the end goal will be its full restoration. The canal is a declared Site of Special Scientific Interest for almost half its length, and a Special Area of Conservation in Wales. Wildlife enthusiasts have long cherished the canal, with its rare aquatic plant life and abundant flora, fauna and variety of wildlife.
Powis Castle
Overlooking the market town of Welshpool, the National Trust owned Powis Castle and Gardens is well worth a detour to visit. The medieval castle, originally built as a fortress by Welsh princes, contains one of the finest collections of paintings and furniture in Wales. The world famous 17th century terraced garden, overhung with enormous yew trees, contains rare plants in colourful herbaceous borders. Laid out under the influence of Italian and French styles, the garden retains its original lead statues, an orangery and an aviary on the terraces.
Welshpool
A bustling market town steeped in history, Welshpool was granted its first charter in the mid 13th century. The story of the town can be shown in its architecture, with many half timbered buildings, characteristic of the Upper Severn valley, the site of the 12th century Motte and Bailey Castle and the only cockpit in Wales still in its original position. The history of the town is displayed in the Powysland Museum, and from the picturesque canal wharf, you can take a narrow boat on the restored Montgomery Canal.
Shrewsbury
Nestling in a bend in the River Severn, Shrewsbury's historic centre is full of black and white buildings and a network of mediaeval streets and ‘shuts’. There's a wide range of interesting shops and refreshment stops as well as the famous Quarry Park (home of the annual Flower Show), the Abbey, Castle, museums and art galleries. And with over 25 miles of cycle routes (including trafficfree riverside routes), you can stay in the saddle to explore the rest of the town.
