Visit Mid Wales Lakes and Mountains

There’s so many reasons why you should visit Mid Wales Lakes and Mountains.

History

The county in Mid Wales is Powys; the biggest county in Wales and the longest in Britain. Running from north to south beside the border, it is sometimes known as the backbone of Wales. Despite only being created in the 1970s to include old Montgomeryshire, Brecknockshire, Radnorshire and a small part of Denbighshire, it is one of the most important areas of Wales.

A lightly scattered population means that the Powys countryside is largely unspoiled. From the tip of southern Snowdonia, the Cambrian Mountains, the Mid Wales Marches, and the Brecon Beacons, there is just so much to see.

Powys is also home to a number of prominent towns with both traditional and alternative communities. Llandrindod Wells is the administrative capital, but Newtown is the largest. Machynlleth is the ancient capital of Wales, whilst Hay on Wye boasts one of the most famous festivals in the world.

Powys is also a stronghold for the Welsh language and despite the fact that many towns significantly expanded during the 19th century it was not an area reliant upon mining, meaning that the ancient heart of the mid-Wales towns remains intact today.

Activities

Acorn Adventure in the Brecon Beacons is a great location to take part in water sports such as sailing, dragon boating, raft building, and kayaking to name a few. It’s not all about the water; you can also take part in activities on dry land just a mile away with great walking and cycling routes.

The Brecon Beacons National Park is in a part of Wales that is well-known for its exceptional natural beauty and historical character. The beautiful hills of the Brecon Beacons provide a huge variety of walks.

Try your hand at some paragliding with Fly West Wales, which boasts a huge choice of flying sites and standards of excellence in paragliding training, tuition and safety which has earned the official recognition of the British Hang-gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA).

Walk along the river Severn and enjoy soaking up the countryside along the way. At 354km in length, the River Severn is the longest in the United Kingdom. Born on the foggy heights of Plynlimon, the Severn seeps slowly from a squelching mossy swamp, but very quickly, picks up speed and strength and is well into its stream stage, enlivened by waterfalls and cascades as it soars through Hafren Forest.

Arts & Culture

Explore Mid Wales further and visit some of the many museums they have displaying information on the history of the surrounding areas. The Brecknock Museum & Art Gallery displays archaeological and natural history. Llanidloes Museum of Local History and Industry, established in 1930 within the town’s old Market Hall, a timber building and the only example surviving on its original site in Wales. Giving all visitors an insight into the history of what is surrounding them.

Brecon Cathedral, set within the only walled cathedral close in Wales, is considered one of the country’s finest buildings. Inside the cathedral is an unusual yet beautiful Celtic font. The Havard Chapel is home to the original colours from the Zulu wars. Founded as a Benedictine priory, it became the parish church of Brecon in 1537. It sits on top of a crest a few hundred yards from the castle which had been established by Bernard Newmarch in 1093. The North transept is also the chapel for the South Wales Borders with their flags and regimental honors on display. All this has led to a lot of historical facts well worth exploring.

Don’t hesitate to visit Mid Wales Lakes and Mountains today!

Photo by Mike Erskine on Unsplash