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Rhayader, or Rhaeadr Gwy (it means ‘waterfall on the Wye’), is a historic town dating from the 5th century. Rhayader was part of the famed ‘Rebecca Riots’ which saw Welshmen dressed as women destroying tollgates as a protest on the high road fares imposed on them by their English landlords.

The mountains that surround Rhayader and the Elan Valley provide a variety of trails to suit all walkers with access for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Starting in the town itself, the Elan Trail winds through the area navigating the four local reservoirs, (Claerwen, Craig Goch, Pen-y-Gareg and Caban Coch), an area often known as the ‘Welsh Lake District’.

Interestingly, the reservoirs played an important role in World War II when the 35 ft. high Nant-y-Gro dam was used by Barnes Wallis as preparation for the daring ‘Dambusters’ mission. Although nature has moved in, the remains of the breached Nant-y-Gro dam can still be seen today, untouched since 1942.

One of the highlights of the area is Gigrin Farm which is the perfect spot to see the once rare Red Kite – with the daily feeding time at the farm attracting up to 300 birds in winter!

Having worked closely with the RSPB, the farm has also become a haven for Buzzards, Goshawk and Raven. Even in the summer, when food in the wild is less scarce, over a hundred birds will turn up for to eat their fill. Sometimes a quarter of a tonne of beef is devoured in a week!

The farm, which is also home to the Welsh Kite Trust's Rehabilitation Centre, features a 1.5 mile nature trail around the farm which links into the RSPB's Dyffryn reserve - a wetland area which attracts Herons, Ducks and Wagtails.