Following in the footsteps of Owain Glyndwr, this trail comes within a few miles of Rhayader.
Things To Do
Glyndwr's Way
family-friendly
pets-welcome
rainy-day-activity
suitable-for-walking
This 132 mile (213km) National Trail is set in the heart of Mid Wales’ breathtaking countryside, and is dedicated to the 15th century Welsh Warrior and self proclaimed Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndwr. The trail starts in Knighton, on the English border where it links with the Offa’s Dyke Path. Running in a giant horse-shoe, it passes through the market towns of mid Wales on route to Machynlleth, and back again across Wales to Welshpool, close to the border with England.
Willow Globe Open-air Theatre
family-friendly
parking-on-site
pets-welcome
rainy-day-activity
suitable-for-walking
wheelchair-accessible
Willow Globe, open-air theatre Penlanole, Llanwrthwl, Powys, LD1 6NU
The Willow Globe is planted from living willow rods and powered entirely from green electricity; almost certainly the first venture ever of its kind.
Opening Times: See Website
Contact: Susanna Best and Philip Bowen
Tel: 01597 811487
Email: admin@willowglobe.co.uk
We have high quality professional and community productions on offer from April to September as well as our workshops, fun days and festivals. We have a new Shakespearean art and nature trail around our organic farm which hosts workshops and performances, a barn which acts as our wet weather performance and workshop space, an extensive costume store, a conference space and camping and B&B available. Please see our website for full details of events + booking.
Distance from town centre: 5
Gigrin Farm Kite Centre
family-friendly
parking-at-start-point
parking-on-site
rainy-day-activity
Gigrin Farm, South Street, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BL
We are famous for our Red Kite feeding and 100s of red kites descend on the centre every day. We warmly invite you to enjoy this breathtaking experience which takes place daily. We have hides close to the action, and specialist photographic hides for those with larger lenses. We are a 200 acre family-run working farm, set in the heart of Mid Wales, overlooking both the Wye and Elan valleys.
Everyone is welcome. We cater for families, specialist photographers, film-makers, schools trips and coaches.
Opening Times: Feeding 2pm (clocks back) & 3pm (clocks forward)
Entry Cost: £5 Adults, £4 OAPs, £3 Children under 13 (extra charges for specialist hides)
Contact: Chris Powell
Tel: 01597 810243
Email: chris@gigrin.co.uk
Wild Red Kites are fed at Gigrin Farm every day of the year. With breathtaking feats of aerial piracy red kites compete with buzzards and ravens for choice pickings. Feeding takes place at 2pm (last weekend in October onwards)
Feeding will be at 3pm ( from the last weekend in March.
Well, no-one tells the kites that the clocks change twice a year!
The crows are first to turn up in trees around the feeding area and make it quite a noisy affair with the calls of jackdaws and carrion crows and the deep ‘cronking’ of ravens. Buzzards and red kites circle overhead; buzzards are far more vocal than kites, their powerful ‘mewing’ carrying a long way. As soon as the meat has been put out the crow family start emerging from the surrounding trees. As the first crows land amongst the meat the kites go on the offensive. Kites watch and wait their chance to furl their wings and dive in, skimming the ground to snatch a scrap before rising suddenly to escape the beaks of the angry crows.
Distance from town centre: 1
36 mile Gwastedyn Church Trail
family-friendly
parking-at-start-point
pets-welcome
rainy-day-activity
This circular 36 mile trail over an established pilgrimage route begins and ends in Rhayader and Cwmdeuddwr. Linking seven historic churches, the route uses mountain paths, lanes and old railway lines to guide you into the heart of our magnificent mountain, river and lake country. To follow the Trail takes you into a world of history and literature derived from the world of the Celtic Saints, the Romans and Romano British, the Normans, the Welsh princes, the medieval monks through to the romantic poets and the Victorians.
Mae’r llwybr hwn, sy’n dilyn llwybr pererindod sefydledig, yn 36 milltir o hyd ac yn dechrau a diweddu yn Rhaeadr a Chwmdeuddwr. Mae’r llwybr sy’n cysylltu saith o eglwysi hanesyddol, yn eich tywys drwy ardal odidog mynyddoedd yr Elenydd gyda’i hafonydd a’i llynnoedd, dros lwybrau mynyddig ac ar hyd ffyrdd a hen reilffyrdd gwledig. Mae dilyn y Llwybr yn eich cyflwyno i fyd hanes a llenyddiaeth o gyfnod y Seintiau Celtaidd, y Rhufeiniaid, y Brythoniaid Rhufeinig, y Normaniaid, y Tywysogion Cymreig, mynachod y canol oesoedd, hyd at y beirdd rhamantaidd ac oes Fictoria.
Route Name: Gwastedyn Church Trail
Length of Route: 36 miles
Walking Difficulty: Strenuous
Start Location: St Clement's Church
Route Map: Gwastedyn Church Trail Overview.pdf
This trail is divided into more manageable six sections - see our Walking and Cycling page.
The Gwastedyn Trail is funded by the Community Welcome Scheme, which is managed by Powys County Council Tourism Section and is one of sixteen Rural Development Plan projects, which aims to assist local communities with small scale community based tourism projects.
Elan Valley Visitor Centre
family-friendly
parking-at-start-point
parking-on-site
pets-welcome
rainy-day-activity
suitable-for-cycling
suitable-for-moutain-biking
suitable-for-walking
wheelchair-accessible
Elan Valley Visitors Centre, Elan Valley, Rhayader, Powys LD6 5HP
The Elan Valley Visitor Centre is operated by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and is set in a fantastic location against a spectacular backdrop of a Victorian stone dam.
It is the perfect starting point for your visit to the area. There's something for everyone; Information Desk; Shop; Cafe; Easy disabled access; Toilets; Large car park and coach parking area; Children's play area; Large picnic area; Easy parking; Education and interactive learning play an important role in the design of our centre and a Free exhibition.
Entrance to the Visitor Centre is free, and the £2 parking charge covers you for the whole of the Estate's car parks, all day.
Season tickets for car parking are also available, please ask at the Information Desk. They cost £15 and last for 12 months.
Opening Times: 10.00am - 4.00pm (except Christmas day)
Entry Cost: £2 Parking fee
Contact: Elan Rangers
Tel: 01597 810880
Email: elanrangers@dwrcymru.com
A visit to Elan Valley never fails to delight and inspire. We are custodians of a beautiful area stretching 72 square miles with historic landscapes and thriving wildlife. The dams and reservoirs, the working legacy of remarkable Victorian engineering, add to the captivating and ever changing scenery. You can stroll, picnic or hike; cycle or mountain bike; bird watch, fish or safari!
We operate as 'not-for-profit' so the team who work here can concentrate on safeguarding this special place and ensuring you make the most of your visit. As we say in these parts, Croeso! We look forward to welcoming you to Elan Valley.
Distance from town centre: 3
