iKnow Wales
- Abergavenny
- Aberystwyth
- Brecon & North Beacons
- Cambrian Mountains
- Cardigan Bay
- East Beacons
- Welsh Borders
- West Beacons
Mid Wales Accommodation
Pen y Fan - the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons National Park
Rolling Mid-Wales countryside - excellent for walking and horseriding
The stunning Cambrian Mountains
Aberystwyth Beaches, Cliff Railway upto Constitution Hill in Background
Walking around the Ruins of Abergavenny CastleMid Wales Tourist Information: Aberystwyth Powys Welshpool Brecon Beacons Cardigan Bay
Mid Wales contains some gem landscapes indeed, from the popular Brecon Beacons National Park to the remote but just as stunning Cambrian Mountains. Move to the coast on Cardigan Bay and discover the seaside hub and university town of Aberystwyth with it's Victorian Cliff Railway and two glorious beaches.
Head to the historic Welsh border towns of Newton (the birthplace of pioneer co-operator Robert Owen) and Welshpool with it's narrow gauge railway. Plenty of dramatic castles here in Mid Wales, including Powis Castle and perched on the headland Aberystwyth Castle. Mid Wales is prime walking and outdoor leisure territory, with everything from climbing to horse riding on the menu!
The Brecon Beacons National Park
The Brecon Beacons National Park contains the highest mountain peaks in South Wales and celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2007. The National Park stretches from Llandeilo in the west to Hay-on-Wye in the north east covering 520 square miles (1344 square kilometres) of mountains, rolling countryside, woodland, waterfalls and caves.
The western Beacons are dominated by the stark Black Mountain (Mynydd Du) range of hills that includes two glacial lakes at the foot of steep scarp slopes: Llyn y Fan Fach and Llyn y Fan Fawr. This wild upland wilderness contrasts with the rolling green fields below that create a patchwork across the steep sided valleys.
The East Brecon Beacons border England and stretch from Hay-on-Wye in the north to Pontypool in the south. They are dominated by the Black Mountains (Mynyddoedd Duon) which includes their very own Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pen y Fal) in the centre of this part of the National Park. Hillwalking and pony trekking are popular in the east of the Brecon Beacons.
The Brecon Beacons that give the National Park its name are four mountains located in the centre of the National Park south west of Brecon. These are made up of Pen-y-Fan, Corn Du, Cribyn and Waun Rydd. Pen-y-Fan is the most recognisable and at 2,906 ft (886 metres) is the highest peak in South Wales - it dominates the skyline when looking south from Brecon.
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth, or Aber for short, is a hip and swinging student town - Aberystwyth University is here dating back to 1872 when the town was selected as the site for the first University college. The National Library of Wales followed, setting up shop in 1907. Note the Old College near the pier, a gregarious mish mash of Victorian gothic courtesy of John Nash.
This Cardigan Bay seaside hub, the largest town in Ceredigion, boasts a host of attractions including a superb selection of specialist clothes shops, a historic narrow gauge cliff railway, two glorious beaches with adjacent strolling promenade, character prom architecture including historic hotels, the remains of a Welsh castle perched on an elevated area at the end of the prom, and a huge choice of pubs, cafes and restaurants. Aberystwyth's charm and character will win over the fussiest of visitors!
The Cambrian Mountains
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 it's 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.
Welsh Borders -Welshpool & Newtown
Welshpool, once simply called 'Pool' sits on the upper area of the Severn Valley close to the English/Welsh border. Predominantly a market town, Europe's largest sheep market is held here, the town makes a superb base for exploring the many attractions just outside the town, including Powis Castle.
Checkout too the scenic Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, a narrow gauge railway running through the Banwy Valley. You're in canal territory here too! The Montgomery Canal runs for 35 miles from Newtown to Frankton Junction in Shropshire. Just outside Welshpool is the Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture - plenty of humerous artwork on show here including giant handbags!
Newtown has much in common with some of the old Lancashire Mill Town. No surprise then that there's a textile museum here, and it's the birthplace of Robert Owen, creator of the Co-operative movement. A small Robert Owen museum is in the town.
Abergavenny
The Mid Wales base of choice for walkers looking to push into the Brecon Beacons National Park just on Abergavenny's doorstep, the town is a pretty and laidback market town with an annual food festival and arts festival, as well as the magnificent Abergavenny Castle and Museum.
Framed by the three huge hills Skirrid Fawr, Sugar Loaf and Blorenge, the opportunities for walking, climbing and other outdoor leisure activities in the area is numerous. Further from the English border, Abergavenny has a real Welsh feel, marked by Roman forts, religious history and ancient Neolithic sites. The largely untouched Abergavenny Castle and adjacent Abergavenny Museum pulls in the visitors, and the intricate medieval carvings in St Mary's Parish Church built around the same time as the castle in 1090 is well worth a look, particularly the famous Jesse carving.
Cardigan Bay, Ceredigion
Ceredigion combines a spectacular coastline crammed with a selection of Blue Flag beaches with stunning countryside around the Plynlimon mountain range.
This area of Wales attracts a diverse holiday crowd including families (great family holiday attractions here including the Rheidol Railway and a choice of Blue Flag Beaches), surfers, walkers, birdwatchers, Anglers and nature lovers (have you discovered the the Dyfi National Nature Reserve at Ynyslas yet?).
Fishing/Angling is particularly popular on Cardigan Bay and freshwater angling on many of Ceredigion's rivers, especially the Teifi.
Prepare to be wowed by the landscapes here - the AA describes the B4574 drive winding through Cwmystwyth as one of the Top 10 most scenic drives in the World! The Cardigan Bay Heritage Coast is a special area of conservation, a Marine Heritage Coast populated by around 130 bottlenose dolphins, porpoises and grey seals. Dolphin and seal watching boat trips are popular along this Welsh coastline, particularly from holiday mecca New Quay and Cardigan. Blue Flag beaches include Aberporth, Aberystwyth North and South, surfing hotspot Borth to the north near Ynyslas and New Quay and Tresaith. Many other beaches along Cardigan Bay have UK Seaside Awards or Green Coast Awards. The River Teifi is also rather popular for white water rafting, especially around Llandysul!
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