Ceredigion · Coast
Aberystwyth
A university seaside town with promenade, castle ruins and a strong cultural identity.
Explore Aberystwyth →Reservoirs, mountain roads and market towns with space between them
Explore Aberystwyth on the west coast, head inland through Machynlleth and the Cambrian Mountains, discover the Elan Valley and slow down around the market towns of the Wye and upper Severn.
The quiet middle of WalesBig landscapes, small towns and roads where the journey mattersMid Wales is about space and pace rather than collecting attractions.
Explore Mid Wales
Choose somewhere to begin
Use the map to explore mountain landscapes, reservoirs, market towns and the west-coast edge of Mid Wales.
Featured places
Where to go in Mid Wales
Choose the west coast, Elan Valley or one inland market-town route and let the roads set the pace.
Powys · Landscape
Elan Valley
A dramatic landscape of reservoirs, dams, open hills and winding roads.
Explore Elan Valley →Dyfi · Town
Machynlleth
A historic market town and useful gateway between the coast, mountains and southern Eryri.
Explore Machynlleth →Powys · Town
Llandrindod Wells
A Victorian spa town in the heart of rural Mid Wales.
Explore Llandrindod Wells →Wye Valley · Town
Builth Wells
A small market town beside the River Wye with easy access to rolling countryside.
Explore Builth Wells →Ceredigion · Heritage
Devil's Bridge
A famous gorge, waterfalls and historic bridges inland from Aberystwyth.
Explore Devil's Bridge →Powys · Landscape
Lake Vyrnwy
A scenic reservoir surrounded by wooded hills and quiet roads.
Explore Lake Vyrnwy →Severn Valley · Town
Newtown
A practical Mid Wales town on the River Severn with strong textile heritage.
Explore Newtown →Mid Wales · Landscape
Cambrian Mountains
Remote upland country of open moorland, valleys and long views.
Explore Cambrian Mountains →Choose your kind of day
What is Mid Wales best for?
Elan, Vyrnwy & the WyeReservoirs & Rivers
Cambrian uplands & open countryMountain Roads
Slow travel through rural WalesMarket Towns
Aberystwyth and the westCoast & Culture
Easy combinations
Places that work well together
Mid Wales rewards unhurried loops rather than ambitious cross-country days.
Aberystwyth & Devil's Bridge
A coast-to-uplands combination.
- Aberystwyth for promenade and town
- Follow the valley inland
- Devil's Bridge for gorge and waterfalls
Elan Valley & Rhayader
A classic reservoir-and-hills day.
- Rhayader for the local base
- Elan Valley dams and viewpoints
- Allow time for slow scenic roads
Builth & Llandrindod
A relaxed central-Mid-Wales route.
- Builth for the Wye
- Llandrindod for spa-town character
- Add a countryside detour rather than another distant town
Do less mileage and see more of Mid Wales
The roads are part of the experience. One landscape area plus one town usually makes a better day than crossing the region.
For a dayChoose west coast, Elan Valley or central Powys.
For a weekendCombine one coast day with one inland landscape day.
By railUseful on selected east-west and north-south routes.
By carBest for reservoirs and remote upland roads.
When you know where you are going
Stay · Do · Explore
Choose the landscape you want to explore first, then find the nearest practical base.
Keep exploring
Continue towards Eryri, Pembrokeshire or Bannau Brycheiniog
North Wales & Eryri, Pembrokeshire & West Wales and Bannau Brycheiniog are the natural next regional journeys.