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Cambrian Mountains Accommodation

The Cambrian Mountains and Mid-Wales have a lot of attractions to offer

The picturesque reservoir-rich Elan Valley

Lake Vyrnwy nestled amongst the Cambrian Mountains

The Royal Welsh Show near Builth Wells

The misty Berwyn Mountains

Cambrian Mountains Tourist Information. Powys, Llandrindod Wells, Builth Wells, Rhayader

With all the hype, albeit well justified, around the Snowdonia National Park and the Breacon Beacons National Park, the Cambrian Mountains bordering both in Mid-Wales tends to get less of a look in. This area of Mid Wales, however, is becoming better known and the secret of the sublime Mid Wales uplands stretching across Pumlumon, Elenydd and Mynydd Mallaen is increasingly receiving attention for walking holidays particularly. It's remoteness is in some ways a major attraction.

It's unbelievable that its bid to become a national park in 1973 failed, as here in the Cambrian Mountains - which pushes into several counties including Powys (50%), Ceredigion (40) and Carmarthenshire (10%) - you'll discover some of the UK's most stunning landscapes (read the full story of the Cambrian Mountains bid for National Park status on the Cambrian Mountains Society weblink right - the bid seems to have strong opposition from local farmers). The highest peak is Pen Pumlumon Fawr at 752m.

Exploring the Cambrian Mountains

If you're looking to escape the traffic and light pollution then the Cambrian Mountains, one of Southern Britains last remaining really remote areas is where to head. Landscapes are diverse, consisting of Upland Plateaux, narrow and broad valleys and alternative living/technology locations like Machynlleth and eccentric small market towns such as Builth Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells.

Take the scenic railway from jounrey from Aberystwyth on the coast to Devil's Bridge (one of Wales' most beautiful railway journeys). For superb walking bases head to the old spa town of Llandrindod or smaller Builth Wells, and you're in for some stunning landscapes around the Elan Valley.

The Cambrian Mountains are the watershed of Wales - most Welsh rivers start here including the Severn, the Wye, Elan, Irfon, Tywi, Cothi, Teifi and more. High on the plateaux discover numerous peaks rising upto 700m. Mostly rugged moorland up here, with panoramic vieiws down onto numerous lakes. Move down into vallesy such as Afon Gwesyn and Rhiwnant and note the choice of stunning waterfalls. See the Cambrian Mountains Society weblink right for more on landscapes and landscape biodiversity.

The Heart of Wales Railway line running a for 120 miles from Swansea to Shrewsbury is one of Wales' many stunning railway lines. (see weblink right) It boomed in the Victorian period, shunting holidaymakers to the spa towns like Llandrindod Wells. It's a superb way to explore the region.

Llandrindod Wells

Once a hub of a spa town, Llandrindod Wells' saline and sulphur rich springs were noted and used by the Romans (Roman remains have been discovered nearby at Castell Collen). In the 19th century visitors flocked here for the healing powers of the Springs. Much of the delightful Victorian and Edwardian architecture survives, giving Llandrindod Wells real character. You can still visit the recently restored Rock Park Pump room in the town which dates from about 1867. In due homage to Victorian roots here, there's an annual Victorian Festival every August.

Attractions abound within the town including the National Cycle Collection situated in art nouveau designed Automobile Palace just to the south of the town centre. (see weblink right for details).

The National Cycle Collection, The Automobile Palace, Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5DL, Mid Wales. Tel: 01597 825531.

LLandrindod Wells Tourist Information Centre, Autopalace, Fiveways Llandrindod Wells Tel: 01597 822600.

Builth Wells

Another old spa town centre on the Southern Powys/Cambrian Mountains map is Builth Wells. The huge Royal Welsh Sow is held near Builth on nearby showgrounds annually. It's a mecca for farmers from all over Europe! (see weblink right for details). In fact Builth is renowned for it's huge number of events including a May annual Bike Show, and a Dog Show in August.

See the Builth Wells Town guide website right, and make sure to checkout the Wyeside Arts centre with bar, comedy, music and film all on offer (weblink right).

Royal Welsh Show, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys LD2 3SY. Tel: 01982 553683. (weblink right)

Rhayader & the Elan Valley

Rhayader makes a perfect Mid Wales small town base for exploring the adjacent stunning Elan Valley. You can also easily hook into the Wye Valley walk from here too. Checkout the Elan Valley Visitor Centre weblink right. It's a good starting point for exploring the Elan Valley.

A visit to the Red Kite Feeding Station (weblink right) near Rhayader is a must if you're in the area, and just three miles outside of Rhayader sits the Giffach Nature Discovery Centre and Reserve (see the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust weblink right for details on what you can see here!)

The Elan Valley is home to a number of striking dams (many lost their homes as a result of them!). You can find out more about residents in the area ousted by dams at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre. Pick up guides too on the Elan Valley Trail which runs for 8 miles following the route of the old Birmingham Corporation Railway parallel to the River Elan. No traffic here, just cyclists, horse riders and walkers!

Elan Valley Visitor Centre, Elan Valley, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5HP. Tel: 01597 810898. (weblink right for more details)

Lampeter

Wales' oldest university is here in Lampeter just inside Ceredigion. Famous for it's annual food festival, Lampeter is a bustling market town with an attractive specialist shopping highstreet, and an emphasis on organic fresh food.

There's a student vibe here in Lampeter, blended with ancient history and a rebellious past (note the Rebecca Riots detail on the Lampeter Town guide weblink right). Lampeter is the first town in Wales to have an Asian mayor, and Dylan Thomas was rather fond of it - often coming to do readings here. It's a superb base for pushing up to the coast and Aberystwyth and Cardigan Bay, as well as into the Cambrian Mountains and indeed the Brecon Beacons.

Numerous country walks, trails and bridleways branch outu from the town. Pick up a copy of Lampeter Walks from the Lampeter Museum nestled between the Council Office and Library on Market Street.

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