Our 5 Historic Powys Towns To Visit

 

Take some time away from the glorious countryside and discover 5 historic Powys towns to visit while you’re in the area. From medieval castles to 19th-century spa towns, there’s a lot of history to discover in Mid Wales. 

Many of these towns lie close to the England–Wales border and could be visited on a day trip from large cities like Birmingham. But, if you want to make the most of this Welsh region, find a campsite to pitch up at and you’ll be able to explore more of the historic towns in Powys.

Welshpool

The gateway to the region

Just six miles from the border with Shropshire, Welshpool is often called the Gateway to Mid Wales and it’s the first pick for historic towns in Powys. Wander through the centre of town to see the Georgian brick buildings and go to Powis Castle – where even the garden has history. 

The medieval castle has a collection of paintings and antique furniture that has been added to over the past 400 years, and the gardens are laid out in French and Italian style. This is a place where you can take a stroll through the ancient yew trees or relax on one of the terraces. 

Back in town, look out for the rare 18th-century cock-fighting ring just behind Broad Street. You can learn more about the history of the town at the small but interesting Powysland Museum.

Pitch up at the best campsites in Powys.

Presteigne

Walkable and packed with attractions

Set in some of the most scenic countryside in Wales, Presteigne (or Llanandras in Welsh) has a lot of historic attractions packed into a fairly small town. The first stop for most visitors is the award-winning museum at the Judge’s Lodgings, where you can get an insight into 19th-century crime and punishment and the lives of judges and their families. 

Visit the 13th-century St Andrew’s Church and find the most famous headstone in the graveyard – that of Mary Morgan, a young servant who was hanged for murder and whose case intrigued the locals. 

Just pottering along Broad Street you’ll walk past significant buildings like the oldest inn in town and a pretty 19th-century cottage. It's worth stopping for a drink in the 17th-century Radnorshire Arms, a half-timbered former manor house that has been serving patrons since the late 1700s. 

Find campsites to stay at near Presteigne.

Builth Wells

A 19th-century spa town

Builth had a brief but prosperous heyday in the 19th century as a spa town and much of what you see here was built during that period. See the neoclassical Strand Hall and St Mary's Church, which both date back to that period, and take a walk in The Groe, a public park that runs along the river. The Wyeside Arts Centre, built as a rival to Strand Hall in the same period, is now a place to watch concerts, plays and many other performances in town.

You can go much further back in time here though. Builth was the site of the Battle of Irfon Bridge where the last Welsh Prince of Wales, Llewelyn the Great, fought his last battle. You can go to this site and the nearby 14th-century inn, The Fountain. 

Fancy going fishing in one of the many rivers? Take a look at places to go fishing in Powys.

Crickhowell

Ancient sites in the Usk Valley

On the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, Crickhowell sits in the Usk Valley, backed by the Black Mountains that form the border with England. Climb up to Crug Hywel, the mountain overlooking the town, to see the remains of the Iron Age fort. 

Move forward in time to visit the ruins of the 13th-century castle, which was almost wholly destroyed after an attack in 1403. And don’t miss the unusual 17th-century stone bridge over the River Usk, which has 13 arches on one side and 12 on the other, plus a seat built into its walls. 

Looking for more ways to get outside? Try these 7 walks in Powys.

Newtown

Visit museums in Newtown

Take advantage of Newtown’s relatively large size (it's the biggest town in Powys) and visit some of the excellent museums here. Go to the Robert Owen Memorial Museum to learn about the life of Newtown’s most famous son, and then visit his tomb just outside the old churchyard. 

The Newtown Textile Museum shows the history of weaving in the area in the mid-19th century and the WH Smith Museum has been restored to show what the store looked like when it opened in 1927, complete with Victorian skylights and 1920s light fixtures. 

Leaving the museums behind, walk past the timbered and thatched Tudor Bank Cottages and see the restored exterior of the Victorian market hall. By the river, there’s a pleasant park that's home to the now-abandoned medieval St Mary’s Church.  

Discover more museums and things to do in Powys here.

Been inspired to spend more time in Powys? Check out our Mid Wales Camping Guide to find places to stay for your next visit.