Our Top 8 Things To Do In Powys
Powys is the largest county in Wales – and one of the most sparsely populated, too. There’s certainly no shortage of things to do though, with something for most tastes and ages.
Taking in large swathes of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (aka the Brecon Beacons) and other scenic spots like the Elan Valley and Lake Vyrnwy, Powys is particularly popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, mountain biking, watersports and wildlife spotting are among the fun things to try out here, and the lack of urban light pollution also means some spectacular stargazing.
Meanwhile, ancient sites galore provide plenty of interest for history buffs, and Hay-on-Wye’s literary connections make it a hive of activity for bookworms. Frankly, whatever sort of break you want, this green region of undulating landscapes ticks all the boxes.
If you’d like to explore all that Powys has to offer, you’ll need somewhere to stay – and what better way to make the most of this glorious scenery than to pick an outdoor break? Pitchup’s Powys range is full of wonderful options, from simple farm pitches to stylish and comfortable glamping sites. Take a look at the full list below to find one that suits your style.
Hay-on-Wye
Literary festival, bookshops and river activities
Sitting on the border between Powys and Herefordshire (with the English county sometimes claiming it as its own), Hay-on-Wye is a small market town with a big reputation.
Maybe it’s because of its somewhat unexpected twinning with the Malian city of Timbuktu. More likely, it’s because of the Hay Festival. This literary event takes place between late May and early June, with author talks, book signings and lectures drawing thousands of visitors.
The town is said to have one bookshop per 100 inhabitants. Some sell all sorts of new and used books, while others, such as Murder & Mayhem, specialise in a particular genre (hint: this one is not romantic novels).
Hay’s literary renown ought not to distract from the ‘on-Wye’ part of its name. Visitors can also take a guided canoe excursion along the river, or have a picnic and a paddle at the pebbly beach of The Warren, a green recreation area where you might spot rabbits and kingfishers.
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Outdoor activities, from cycling to watersports, plus stargazing
A vast mountainous playground for outdoor enthusiasts, the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park has miles of hiking trails, including one along the saddle between Corn Du and Pen y Fan mountains, both topped by Bronze Age cairns. There’s plenty for cyclists too, from family-friendly off-road paths to black-grade routes such as the ominous-sounding Black Mountain Blitz.
The Brecon Beacons’ Dark Sky Reserve status means no light pollution – and that, in turn, means top-quality stargazing. Head out to Hay Bluff, about five miles south of Hay-on-Wye, and you should have no trouble locating the stars that make up the Plough or Orion’s Belt.
There are also watersports on Llangorse Lake and the river Wye, underground walks among unusual rock formations at the National Showcaves Centre for Wales, prime fishing spots along the river Usk… it's safe to say you’re unlikely to run out of things to do around here.
Red Kite Feeding Station
Daily feeding ritual, bird hides and picnic facilities
If you’ve always wanted to witness raptors in a feeding frenzy, head to Gigrin Farm just outside Rhayader, where hundreds of wild red kites will be happy to oblige.
Early in the afternoon, staff at the Red Kite Feeding Station put out meat scraps to supplement the birds’ natural hunting diet, and visitors can watch from hides surrounding the field where the action takes place.
It’s quite a spectacle, with kites deftly grabbing meaty morsels with their talons before fleeing the fray for a mid-air feed. If this aerial feast has got your own stomach rumbling, it’s useful to know there’s a coffee shop on site and picnic areas with views of the countryside – and you might see the farm’s donkeys, too.
Elan Valley
Dams and reservoirs, night skies and birdwatching
In the Cambrian Mountains of Mid Wales, the Elan Valley is known for a number of Victorian dams, including Craig Goch, with its brick arches and elegant valve tower.
Take in views of the reservoir from the top of the dam during the day, keeping an eye out for sandpipers and grebes, or linger until night falls, when the nearby car park draws stargazers looking for constellations and meteor showers.
If you prefer doing rather than watching (whether skies or birds), cycle the Elan Trail, which runs for 18 miles along an old railway line, or follow one of the many hiking trails.
Lake Vyrnwy
Watersports and an RSPB nature reserve
An artificial lake created in the late 19th century to supply drinking water to Liverpool, Lake Vyrnwy is now a hub of outdoor activities, from fishing to watersports.
Bethania Adventure runs kayaking and paddleboarding classes, as well as hiring out equipment for independent excursions on the lake, past the dam and the pointed turrets of the Straining Tower. Despite looking like something out of a fairytale, the tower has quite a mundane job: to filter any large objects from the water before it reaches the aqueduct.
As an RSPB nature reserve, the area is home to peregrine falcons, woodpeckers and kingfishers. If you’re lucky, you might spot these and other bird species while you take a walk or bike ride around the lake.
Pistyll Rhaeadr
Dramatic waterfall and hiking trails in a nature reserve
More trails await at Y Berwyn National Nature Reserve, an area of moorlands and bogs. The highlight here is the 240-foot-high Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall, one of the historic ‘Seven Wonders of Wales’.
A path from the car park leads to the bottom of this dramatic single-drop waterfall thundering down the mountainside amid lush ferns and mosses. The small iron bridge across the stream is a convenient spot for capturing pics (including selfies for the socials, if that’s your vibe).
Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth
Sustainability in action and woodland walks
If you or your kids are keen to make a positive impact on the environment, head to this eco centre on the outskirts of the market town of Machynlleth.
Interactive displays at the Centre for Alternative Technology illustrate the potential of renewable energy from natural sources. Grownups and kids alike can also learn a thing or two about insulating and making their homes more energy efficient, or get inspired to finally start that vegetable patch.
And if your young eco warriors start feeling overwhelmed by the monumental effort involved in saving the planet, a walk through the woodlands, looking for dormice and otters, may well restore their sense of purpose.
Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool
National Trust property with Indian artefacts and terraced gardens
One of the best-known historic sites in Mid Wales, the National Trust-managed Powis Castle was built in the 13th century and later renovated into the stately home you see today.
While you’re here, admire the artworks and tapestries lining its elegant halls, or head to the castle’s Clive Museum for a look at precious Indian artefacts that were looted during colonial times. Politically incorrect? No doubt.
However, if you can move past the dubious means by which the collection was obtained, you’ll see some truly stunning items here. One of the highlights is a gold finial from a sultan’s throne: it’s shaped like a tiger’s head and is studded with emeralds and rubies.
Finish your visit with a stroll through the terraced gardens, taking in the huge cloud-like topiary hedges, colourful flowers and expansive views of the Severn Valley and the mountains beyond.
So there’s your starter pack of the best days out in Powys. Want more? Read our guides to some great Powys walks and places to go fishing, or check out some of the other small towns to visit in this lovely part of Mid Wales.
Making a break of it? Click the link below to check out Pitchup’s fabulous list of Powys camping and glamping sites – with prices starting from just £15 per night, there’s something here for every budget.