Links for activities and destinations during your stay at BB

Please check individual websites for updated information about opening times/ booking events before travelling

General information about things to do in Powys

https://www.visitwales.com/destinations/mid-wales/powys

The village of Trefeglwys is a convenient base for exploring Mid Wales. Accessible by car or by rail to the nearby village of Caersws (direct trains from Birmingham – taxis are available to book from Trefeglyws or Caersws.  This scenic part of Mid Wales boasts many outdoor activities, including walking, cycling, and wild swimming as well as the stunning Cardigan Bay coastline, a paradise for water sport enthusiasts, within an hour’s drive.  Several steam railways are in the vicinity.  There are many nature reserves, art galleries and historical destinations nearby – below is a list (by no means exhaustive!)

This guide is arranged initially by location.  Specific activities such as walking, cycling, castles are listed towards the end. 

locations

In Trefeglwys or very near

Mantles shop 01686 430202

Opening hours

Wed 8-18.00

Thurs 8-18.00

Fri 8-18.00

Sat 9-16.00

Sun 9-13.00

Good variety of food, and drink. Can sit and have a coffee. Can order from Andy’s bakery and from the butchers too.

Di’s Taxis – 07874 762 448.  Friendly and helpful.

Red Lion Pub – Next door to BB!  01686 430934

Arthurs Restaurant and Bar – (20 minute walk) based in the country and leisure park, Trefeglwys.  Lunch, evening meals and Sunday Lunch, freshly cooked.  Phone 01686 430 652 https://meadowsprings.co.uk/arthurs/

Clay Pigeon Shooting https://www.midwalesmyway.com/product-page/mid-wales-shooting-centre

Trefeglwys Print Studio - Print making courses in Trefeglwys https://www.printmakingstudio.co.uk/

Caersws – 9 minutes by car, half an hour by bike (slightly hilly)

Caersws takes its name from a Roman Fort.  https://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/histland/caersws/1182.htm

Railway station (Birmingham to Aberystwyth/ Machynlleth/ Dovey Junction and Borth) church and shop, pubs, butchers and a Post Office.

Caersws Fish Bar (take away only) 01686 688 287 (open Thurs-Sat inclusive closes at 8pm).

Mid Wales Arts – Small art gallery, sculpture park, café, also offers workshops etc. Thurs – Sunday 11-4.  01686 688369.  https://midwalesarts.org.uk/

Porth Farm – fruit and vegetable shop, sunflowers, Maize maze, woodland walk, PYO strawberries, Pumpkins in October.  07971 960540 https://www.facebook.com/porthfarm/?locale=en_GB

Mountain Biking Caersws Bike Park – (9 minutes by car, 30 minutes by bike) ‘From fast-flowing tracks right through to technical race tracks this classic downhill venue has everything you need for a fun day out on your bike.  One of the most iconic venues of British downhill’.  07972194232 https://www.prolinemtbcoaching.com/caersws-bike-park

Rally driving – (18 minutes by car, 48 minutes by bike).  Drive iconic rally cars under the instruction of an experienced rally driver.  https://www.forestrally.co.uk/index.php

Llanidloes – 9 minutes by car, 35 minutes on the bike (hilly)

 Llani bikes - rental, bike purchases and repairs. https://www.llanibikes.co.uk/

 Mavericks Paddle Boarding – Llyn Clywedog Sailing Club.

Offers entry-level training on 6.5 mile lake and a wide range of trips for more experienced paddlers including, estuaries and coastal paddles.  01686 411 337 https://www.maverickssup.com/

Minerva Arts Centre - Owned by the quilt association – textile and craft festivals and activities.

https://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/things-to-do/minerva-arts-centre-p1722241

 Llanidloes Museum - The museum depicts the history of the Borough of Llanidloes during the last 300 years. Exhibits include a recreated Victorian kitchen, parlour and gentleman's study and best of all there is no admission fee.  https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/1613/Llanidloes-Museum

 Llanidloes sports Centre – Swimming and gym.

https://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/centres/llanidloes-sports-centre/

Newtown - 20 mins by car, an hour on the bike (flattish!)

Just six miles away is the market town of Newtown, where you will find a number of shops, pubs, museums and an art gallery.

Oriel Davies Gallery Oriel Davies welcomes visitors to appreciate and enjoy our unique brand of contemporary art in our beautiful gallery in the park, by the River Severn in Mid Wales.

Open Tues- Saturday. www.orieldavies.org

 Theatre Hafren http://www.thehafren.co.uk/index.php

 Falconry Experience Wales - In the wilds of the Dyfi Valley UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Falconry Experience Wales is one of several sites in mid Wales where you can learn about birds of prey. Run by experienced falconers, it’s a place to get close – very close – to captive-bred owls, falcons, hawks, eagles and red kites, discovering how to handle them and taking them out to fly over the hills. https://raptorexperiencewales.co.uk/

Kayak and Canoe Hire near Newtown in Abermule (about 20 mins by car)

Kayaks and canoes for hire from March to October, enabling you to take a leisurely self-guided paddle down the River Severn or along the Montgomery Canal.  https://www.kingfisherkayakhire.com/

Textile Museum https://www.newtowntextilemuseum.co.uk/

 Robert Owen Museum Robert Owen was born in Newtown in 1771.  He was the father of the worldwide co-operative movement and pioneered free education and better working conditions for all.

https://www.robertowenmuseum.co.uk/

Escape rooms – indoor and outdoor Escape Room Games. https://www.beyondbreakout.co.uk/

Machynlleth - a lovely market town with all sorts going on - 35 minutes by car, couple of hours by bike (hilly!)

Corris Mine Explorers.  Corris Mine Explorers offers multi award winning underground mine exploration trips filled with adventure, history, discovery and fun. https://www.corrismineexplorers.co.uk/

King Arthur’s Labyrinth ‘This underground storybook tells many of the earliest Welsh legends and includes dragons, colossal giants and fierce battles’.  https://www.kingarthurslabyrinth.co.uk/

Corris Craft Centre, “the best Craft Centre in Wales”, has 9 individual craft workshops where the talented artists, craftspeople, designers and makers create an eclectic mix of quality products. Craft workshops and shops. https://www.corriscraftcentre.co.uk/

Dyfi distillery - gorgeous gins! http://www.dyfidistillery.com/

Delyn glass

Taran eco wood designs

Hyde and sheep leather designs

Sammi Wilson art

Agau Jewellery studio

Chocablock handmade chocolates

The candle studio

Quarry pottery

MOMA Machynlleth is an intimate museum of modern art in a Victorian town house and a former Wesleyan chapel, The Tabernacle, has a hefty collection of local treasures. https://moma.cymru/en/

 Machynlleth is the site of national hero Owain Glyndŵr’s 1404 parliament - the original Senedd. The Owain Glyndŵr Centre is the local history museum that tells his story. https://www.canolfanowainglyndwr.org/home

Centre for Alternative Technology - Nestled in the stunning UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere in Mid Wales, the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is a world-renowned eco centre that researches and supports greener ways of living. https://cat.org.uk/

Dyfi Mountain Biking - Machynlleth is the perfect launch pad for an adventure on two wheels, thanks to Dyfi Mountain Biking, an enthusiastic group of local volunteers. They've waymarked three routes called Mach 1, 2 and 3 along roads, lanes and bridleways, and created CliMachX, an exhilarating off-road forest trail with rocky jumps and a massive final descent. https://www.dyfimountainbiking.org.uk/

The Corris Railway - a narrow-gauge railway, lovingly restored by local railway enthusiasts. They have one of the prettiest steam locomotives in Wales, specially built in 2005 to a classic Kerr, Stuart and Company design. On a 50-minute round trip, it puffs through the former slate-mining region between Corris and Maespoeth, stopping for a tour of the engine shed and workshops. https://www.corris.co.uk/

 Cader Idris – (52 minutes drive) 893m – one of the highest Mountains in Southern Eryri (Snowdonia).

https://www.visitwales.com/things-do/adventure-and-activities/walking/guide-to-walking-up-cader-idris

Aberystwyth and around - about an hour by car

https://www.visitwales.com/destinations/mid-wales/ceredigion-cardigan-bay/insiders-guide-aberystwyth

Where Hinterland was filmed!

Beaches, independent shops, cliff railway, arts centre, Escape Rooms etc. 

Llywernog Silver Lead Mine – (35 minutes by car, 2 2/2 hrs by bicycle).

‘Come and explore The Silver Mountain Experience, a place where history, myth and legend collide in a fantastic day out for the whole family. Embark on an adventure with a choice of guided tours discovering the history of our very own Silver-Lead Mine, or experience Welsh fantasy and myth in one of our actor led shows.’ 

https://www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk/llywernog-mine/

 Devils Bridge – Waterfalls and Nature Trail – Famous three bridges built one on top of another!

https://devilsbridgefalls.co.uk/

Builth Wells about 45 minutes away - one of many rather nice boutiques little towns

https://www.visitwales.com/destinations/mid-wales/powys/things-do-builth-wells and has the Royal Welsh Showground with lots of entertaining shows https://rwas.wales/whats-on/

Welsh Lavender Farm about an hour away - natural swimming pool, shop https://www.welshlavender.com/visit-our-shop-and-farm/ main shop in Builth Wells.

 Rhayader – 27 minute drive, 2 ¼ by bike – hilly. 

First town on the River Wye, Rhayader is home to the spectacular dams and reservoirs of the Elan and Claerwen Valleys.  https://rhayader.co.uk/

Elan Valley – 33 minutes by car. 

Walking, cycling, star-gazing, fishing, spectacular dams. https://elanvalley.org.uk/

Welshpool – 35 minutes by car, 2 ½ hours by bicycle (or train from Caersws)

Powis Castle Medieval castle with extensive gardens and museum, café and shop (National Trust).

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/powis-castle-and-garden 

Glansevern Gardens – (Between Newtown and Welshpool, 28 minutes by car). 

‘Early 19th Century Estate with history and natural beauty at every turn’.  Naissance café and gardens open Friday-Sunday. https://www.glansevern.co.uk/

Specific Activities/ Interests

Castles/ history/ Welsh Heritage

 If you prefer a spot of history whilst staying in the area, Wales is famous for its castles.  The ruins of the ancient Motte and Bailey castles situated close by in the beautiful old county town of Montgomery, or the ruins of Dolforwyn castle in the hills above the village of Abermule are well worth visiting.

 Castles https://www.castlewales.com/

Cadw Cadw is a Welsh word meaning ‘to keep’ or ‘to protect’. And that’s exactly what we do. We are working for an accessible and well-protected historic environment for Wales. https://cadw.gov.wales/

Steam Railways https://www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk/

Corris – Steam railway and museum

Welshpool and Llanfair

Vale of Rheidol (Aberystwyth – Devil’s Bridge)

Talyllyn

Beaches

Aberystwyth – (55 minutes by car, accessible by train from Caersws)

Aberdovey – (55 minutes by car, accessible by train from Caersws)

Borth/ Ynyslas – (56 minutes by car, accessible by train from Caersws) Sandy beach, longest in Ceredigion, popular with families and windsurfers. https://www.visitwales.com/attraction/beach/borth-beach-1831066

Tonfanau – (1 ¼ hr by car) A quiet unspoilt stretch of the Gywnedd coast Tonfanau Beach is a wonderful place to get away from the crowds. The beach is backed by an abandoned WW2 army training camp and rural countryside. https://ukbeachdays.co.uk/uk-beach-guide/north-wales-coast/gwynedd-beaches/tonfanau-beach/

Nature reserves

https://www.montwt.co.uk/about

 Llyn Mawr is one of three lakes of a site of special scientific interest (16 minute drive, 1 ¼ bike ride – hilly)

https://www.montwt.co.uk/nature-reserves/llyn-mawr

 Glaslyn – (27 minutes by car, 1 ½ by bicycle – hilly)

https://www.montwt.co.uk/nature-reserves/glaslyn

 The Dyfi Osprey Project - A love-nest for ospreys, is the work of dedicated conservationists, whose first big success – three healthy chicks – featured on BBC Springwatch.

https://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/

RSPB Ynis-hir Nature Reserve - If you’re a fan of BBC Springwatch, you’re sure to enjoy the Welsh woodland and wetland reserve where it was filmed several times. At Ynys-hir you might even make some seasonal discoveries of your own. Spring brings carpets of bluebells and trilling wood warblers, autumn brings ducks and other water birds can be seen from the hides all year round. Follow the trails to explore the lowland wet grasslands, reedbed, and saltmarsh habitats.

https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ynys-hir/

Cambrian Mountains – Beautiful walks including Pumlumon Fawr (752m) where the Severn and Wye arise. 

https://www.thecambrianmountains.co.uk/

 Cambrian Mountains Dark Skies – The Cambrian mountains of Wales contain some of the darkest night skies in Europe.

https://darkskywalestrainingservices.co.uk/ https://www.cambrianmountainsdarkskies.co.uk/

Wild swimming

http://www.wildswimming.co.uk/wales/mid-wales-and-cambrians/?multi_city=mid-wales-and-cambrians

Walking

 Welcome to Walk Llanidloes - Find 17 downloadable and printer friendly route descriptions and maps for you to make the most out of walking in Mid Wales.

https://www.llanidloes.com/walk-llanidloes/index.html

 E.g.

Trefeglyws and Llyn Ebyr (10m)

https://www.llanidloes.com/upload/Walk%2010%20Trefeglwys%20and%20Llyn%20Ebyr.pdf

 Llanidloes to Trefeglwys (7.5m)

https://www.llanidloes.com/upload/Village%20Link%20Walk%20One.pdf

Trefeglwys – Circular walk (3m)

https://www.midwalesmyway.com/product-page/trefeglwys-circular-walk

Top five peaks around Trefeglwys

https://www.komoot.com/guide/2800458/peaks-around-trefeglwys

 Hafren Forest – Nature trails, streams, waterfalls, longer walks to source of the Severn

https://naturalresources.wales/days-out/places-to-visit/mid-wales/hafren-forest/?lang=en

 Ceredigion Coast Path - Ceredigion's 60 miles (96km) Coast Path is a very special part of the Wales Coast Path, with probably the most varied landscape and terrain of the  870 mile (1400km) route. As well as great views north towards Snowdonia and south towards Pembrokeshire, the Ceredigion Coast path has a wealth of wildlife, geological and archaeological features and a colourful history to discover along the way.

https://www.discoverceredigion.wales/outdoor-activities-and-adventures/walk-ceredigion/the-ceredigion-coast-path/

Glyndwrs Way - Glyndŵr’s Way is an 135 mile (217 Km) long National Trail meandering through the open moorland, rolling farmland, woodland and forest of mid-Wales. Starting in Knighton and ending in Welshpool, the Trail is named after Owain Glyndŵr’, Prince of Wales and Medieval Welsh nationalist leader who organised a rebellion against the English king, Henry IV in 1400.

https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/glyndwrs-way/

Cader Idris – (52 minutes drive) 893m – one of the highest Mountains in Southern Eryri (Snowdonia).

https://www.visitwales.com/things-do/adventure-and-activities/walking/guide-to-walking-up-cader-idris

Cycling

Fantastic road cycling with routes ranging from 15 to 90 miles on Komoot (discover) ranging from very hilly to fairly flat. https://www.komoot.com/

Mountain biking well served with managed trails in Caersws and Machynlleth, and close to the Sarn Helen, Trans Cambrian and Traws Eryri MTB bikepacking routes.

Llani bikes - rental, bike purchases and repairs.

https://www.llanibikes.co.uk/

Sustrans

National cycle network routes in Mid-Wales

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/?location=Mid+Wales&routetype=null&distance=null&p=1

 Cycling routes from/round Llanidloes

https://www.llanidloes.com/cycle-llanidloes/

1. Hafren Forest and Llyn Clywedog (18 miles)

2. Machynlleth Mountain Road (42 miles)

3. River to Mountains (11 miles)

4. The Four Saints Rides (Full ride: 42 miles)

5. Seven valleys ride (13 miles)

6. Severn (Hafren) Valley Short Loop (4.5 miles)

7. The Severn (Hafren) River Loop (7 miles)

8. Rhayader loop to Llanidloes and Caersws