Powis Castle
Medieval castle rising dramatically above the celebrated garden
The world-famous garden, overhung with clipped yews, shelters rare and tender plants. Laid out under the influence of Italian and French styles, it retains its original lead statues and an orangery on the terraces. High on a rock above the terraces, the castle, originally built circa 1200, began life as a medieval fortress.
Remodelled and embellished over more than 400 years, it reflects the changing needs and ambitions of the Herbert family - each generation adding to the magnificent collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture and tapestries.
A superb collection of treasures from India is displayed in the Clive Museum.
Lake Vyrnwy
Just on the edge of The Snowdonia National Park and south of Lake Bala, Lake Vyrnwy is set amidst the remote and beautiful Berwyn Mountains. With spectacular waterfalls, and unspoilt open countryside, a visit to Lake Vyrnwy is a wonderful day out for all the family. A short drive from the Shropshire border (The Welsh Marches) it is an easy day out from Birmingham, Liverpool, Chester or Manchester and is the perfect base for exploring Snowdonia, The Welsh Marches and the coast from Harlech to Aberystwyth.
Come and experience the walks and trails of the 24,000 acre RSPB Reserve, with viewpoints and hides around the Lake to observe the amazing variety of birds and scenery. Walk through the visionary Sculpture Park below the Dam. There are plenty of activities too, including boating, adventure activities, cycle hire, walking and horse trails. There are local craft shops to visit and excellent places to eat. Stay a while in the wide range of high quality accommodation, some offering brand new spa facilities. The very best rough shooting, fly fishing and clay pigeon shooting are available too. There is plenty of free car parking. The spectacular scenery is free too!'
Montgomery Canal
The canal is the best location in the world for floating water plantain. Otters and water voles have also been spotted along its length. Several nature reserves border the canal, filled with wildflowers and insects, including dragonflies and damselflies.
Walking or cycling along the towpath is an excellent way to experience the peace and tranquility of this rural canal. The canal towpath has recently been resurfaced between Newtown and Welshpool and work continues to the border at Llanymynech.
This is also a popular canal for canoeing – paddling quietly through peaceful green surroundings is a great way to spot wildlife.
The canal is home to 126 listed structures including the Llanymynech limeworks which includes the rare restored Hoffman Kiln and Chimney, both features of a forgotten industrial past that included quarries, limekilns and woollen industries.
While the canal was closed to boats for many years, it is now being reborn as a cruiseway through the picturesque Welsh Marches. One restored section connects to the Llangollen Canal, while the other is only accessible by a slipway at Welshpool. Work continues to join the two sections through volunteers and the work of the restoration partnership.
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network/montgomery-canal
Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway
The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway was opened in 1903 to link the market town of Welshpool to the rural community of Llanfair Caereinion, this 2 foot 6 inch narrow gauge steam railway now provides a tourist service for all the family and a welcome change from the rush of every day life. Built as a Light Railway to avoid some of the costs of railway construction, the narrow gauge allows for tight curves and steep gradients, enabling the line to follow the contours of the countryside. Most of our trains are steam hauled, either by one of our unique original locomotives or one from abroad. The carriages too are special; those in regular use being from Hungary and Austria with access to the enclosed seating area via an open balcony - a great way to watch the world go by.
Mid Wales Coastline
Neuadd Bridge is located in the Heart of Mid Wales but within easy reach of the Mid Wales Coastline.
The coast is as near as 38 miles away with the seaside towns of Aberystwyth, Borth, Twyn, Fairbourne, Barmouth, Harlech and Porthmadog all within an hours drive.
Welshpool
Welshpool (Welsh: Y Trallwng) is a town in Wales, historically in the county of Montgomeryshire, but currently administered as part of the unitary authority of Powys. The town is situated 4 miles (6 km) from the Wales–England border and low-lying on the River Severn; its Welsh language name Y Trallwng literally means "the marshy or sinking land". Welshpool is the fourth largest town in Powys.
The Market town of Welshpool has all the amenities you would expect with various supermarkets and leisure facilites.
Local Tourism attractions include Powis Castle, The Montgomery Canal, Powysland Museum and the Welshpool - Llanfair Light Railway.
Newtown
Newtown (Welsh: Y Drenewydd) is the largest town in the county of Powys, Wales. It had a population of 12,783 in 2001, falling to 11,357 at the 2011 census. Lying on the River Severn, within the historic boundaries of Montgomeryshire, the town is best known as the birthplace of Robert Owen in 1771[2] His former house stood on what is now the site of the HSBC Bank. The Robert Owen Museum is across the road, occupying the ground floor of the council offices. Newtown is also the home of Theatr Hafren and of Oriel Davies, a major public gallery, which displays national and international contemporary art and craft.
Llanfair Caereinion
Llanfair Caereinion is a small town in Powys, Wales upon the River Banwy (also known as the River Einion), around 8 miles west of Welshpool.
The town is built upon the site of an old Roman fort. Llanfair is most famous for being a terminus of the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway
Facilities in the Town include :- Londis Mini Supermarket, Texaco Garage, Spar, Convenience Stores, Hairdressers. 3 Public Houses, Wine Bar, Bakery & Cafe, Doctors & Dentist.
The town also has a very reputable butchers.
Other Attractions Include
Here are a few of the other attractions that Mid Wales has to offer :-
Llanrhaeadr Waterfall
Pistyll Rhaeadr is an enchanting waterfall in the Berwyn Mountains, just inside Wales, west of Oswestry and Shrewsbury.
At 240ft (80m) high it is Britain's tallest single-drop waterfall, captivating all who visit her. Generation after generation take in the spirit and presence of this special place. Many mention how quickly they find peace and reverence within themselves, seldom found in our busy and fragmented world.
It's a great place to explore the Berwyn Mountains and surrounding hills, with many walks to suit a variety of walkers.
Tan-y-Pistyll, little house under the waterfall, is where our tea room and B&B accommodation are located. Here you'll find a welcome cup of tea, a snack or meal with a lovely view of the waterfall from the garden or, when it's colder, a warm logfire to sit by.
Local Sports Facilities
Dovey Osprey Project
The Dyfi Osprey Project has been running at Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve near Machynlleth since 2009.
In 2007 we erected an osprey platform on our Cors Dyfi reserve in response to an increasing number of osprey sightings each spring and autumn. By the following summer there was a male osprey and sightings of many other birds, but no breeding took place.
Although no breeding took place in 2009, we had our first chance to have a really good look at what was happening on the Dyfi nest and try and identify them as individuals - an extremely difficult task. We had an un-ringed male who seemed to regard the platform nest we erected two years previously as his own. We named this bird 'Monty' after Montgomeryshire.
Forward on to 2017 and the first of April 2017 saw Monty and Glesni's earliest arrival at the Dyfi nest yet. With both birds back early the breeding season was soon under way. Glesni laid three eggs which all hatched and together she and Monty raised three strong chicks. Aeron (Blue Z2), and his sisters Menai (Blue Z3) and Eitha (Blue Z4) all successfully migrated before the end of August.
