Our 5 Historic Powys Towns To Visit
The Mid Wales countryside is glorious to visit, but that’s not its only attraction – there are also some lovely towns to explore 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, so to help you find your way we’ve put together this list of five historic towns in Powys to visit.
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, it’s really worth staying for a couple of days or more. If that takes your fancy, take a look at Pitchup’s range of campsites and glampsites – it’s full of great options for all budgets.
Welshpool
The gateway to the region
Just six miles from the border with Shropshire, Welshpool is often called the ‘gateway to Mid Wales’ – so it was an obvious first pick for our list of the best historic towns in Powys.
Start your town tour with a wander through the centre of town to see the Georgian brick buildings, then go to Powis Castle & Garden, a place packed with 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.
Presteigne
Walkable and packed with attractions
Set in some of the most scenic countryside in Wales, Presteigne (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 Lodging, 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’s been serving patrons since the late 1700s.
If you’re here in the summer, look out for the classical concerts and other events run by Presteigne Festival in venues around the town.
Builth Wells
A 19th-century spa town
Builth Wells had a brief but prosperous heyday as a spa town in the 19th century, 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 Wells was the site of the Battle of Irfon Bridge where the last Welsh Prince of Wales, Llewelyn the Great, fought his last battle. A visit to this site now ties in nicely with a drink or bite to eat in the nearby 14th-century Fountain Inn.
Crickhowell
Ancient sites in the Usk Valley
On the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog (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 13th-century Crickhowell 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.
Newtown
Powys' largest town
Newtown is the biggest town in Powys, and it’s also home to a couple of excellent museums. Start by going to the Robert Owen Museum to learn about the life of Newtown’s most famous son, then visit his tomb just outside the old churchyard. Nearby, the Newtown Textile Museum shows the history of weaving in the area in the mid-19th century.
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.
To make the most of your trip to Powys, mix up your town visits with some time in the gorgeous countryside – perhaps finding a place to go fishing, or trying out the best walks in Powys. Staying at a campsite or glampsite is also a great way to soak up some of the scenery – take a look at Pitchup’s full range to find something that suits your needs.