Aberystwyth & area
Aberaeron - This holiday resort has a
harbour lined with Georgian houses. A trading port and shipbuilding centre in the
19th century, last boat was built in 1994 and its harbour is now filled with holiday
sailors.
Aberdyfi - little harbour resort between the
mountains and the sea. Centre for exportation of local slate in 19th century.
Aberystwyth -Seaside
and University town which claims to be the capital of mid-Wales.
Dolgellau - Market town built in local dark
stone giving it a stern look. Gripped by gold fever in 19th century when high
quality gold was found nearby.
Hay-on-Wye - Famous for having over 25
second hand bookshops it attracts visitors from all over the world. Sits on the approach
to the Black Mountains.
Knighton - its Welsh name, Tref y Clawdd
means town on the Dyke and was the only original settlement on Offas's Dyke.
Llandrindod Wells - Perfect example of a
Victorian town which became a spa resort in the 19th century.
Hay Castle (Hay-on-Wye) 17th century
mansion in the grounds of 13th century castle.
Offa's Dyke Built in 8th century by King
Offa to keep the Welsh out of England.The footpath runs for 285km (177m) along the border
between England and Wales and some of the best preserved sections of the 6m (20ft) high
wall can be seen around Knighton.
Powis Castle (Welshpool) Began life in 13th
century as a fortress but has served as a country mansion for centuries. lavish interior
including 'great staircase' built in late 17th century, elaborately decorated with carved
fruit and flowers. Features ornate plasterwork and fine panelling.
St. Davids Cathedral (St. Davids) Largest in
Wales, features shrine to St. David, one of the founders of the Celtic Christian church.
Powis Castle (NT) (Welshpool) 25 acres
including 18th c Itailian style terraced are, 19th c woodland and 20th c Edwardian formal
area. Noted ofr Topiary and hedges, unusual plants.
Rock park Gardens (Llandrindod Wells)
Victorian inspired gardens with boating lake.
Colby Woodland Garden (NT) ( Nr Narberth,
Pembroke) 24 acres of informal landscape featuring a walled garden and 8 acres of
woodland.
Spa Centre (Llandrindod Wells) 19th
century pump room is focus for summer Victorian Festival when residents dress up in
Victorian costume and cars are banned from the town.
Centre for Alternative Technology (Machynlleth)
Old slate quarry has been turned into a 'village for the future' which shows how to make
the best of the earth's resources. Displays of wind, solar and wave power, low energy
housing snd organic gardening.Approached via water balanced cliff railway.
Clive Museum (Powis Castle) Exhibition concerning
'Clive of India' the general and statesman who helped strengthen British control of India
in the 18th century.
Radnorshire Museum (Llandrindod Wells) Traces
the towns past.
Gwynfynydd Gold Centre and Mine (Dolgellau)
Visitors can pan for gold and keep what they find.
Cader Idris (Dolgellau) 892m (2,927ft)
mountain where, according to legend , anyone who spends a night on the summit will awake
either a poet or a madman or not at all!
Devil's Bridge (Aberystwyth)
Dramatic series of waterfalls plunge through a wooded ravine. Steep trail leads to the
valley floor.
Elan Valley (Powys) A
string of spectacular man made reservoirs surrounded by remote moorlands and woodlands
make this an important habitat for wildlife.
Vale of Rheidol Railway (Aberystwyth) Narrow gauge railway runs 19Km (12m) to Devil's bridge, local tourist attraction.