Welcome to Llandrindod Wells

Browse this page to discover the
many attractions to be found in
and around Llandrindod Wells.

Llandrindod Wells
Is a fascinating Spa Town with so much to see and do, including welcoming restaurants, hotels and shops.  The town is distinguished by fine Victorian and Edwardian buildings laid out along wide streets, which also define the several open spaces, including Temple Gardens in the town Centre.

Within a few minutes stroll of the town Centre...

The Rock Park
The bridge carrying Spa Road East over the railway leads to the 'Rock Park,' the grounds of the former Rock Park Hotel where Victorian visitors drank the waters from the Chaylebete Spring, given in 1878 by Lord Gibson Watt.  

The Rock Park Spa Centre
The Rock Spa Centre for Alternative Physical and Spiritual Healing has been established in the Rock Spa Pavilion, there is also a restaurant and a small historical display.  

The Radnorshire Museum
Exhibits include relics of Castell Collen Roman Fort and a Victorian collection telling the story of Llandrindod's more recent past.

Llandrindod Wells Signal Box Museum
Located on the  the southbound (Swansea) platform, on the site of a smaller box that once existed here, the Signal Box Museum is open at certain times from Easter through to September and contains items relating to the Age of Steam Railways.  The present box of London & North Western Railway design, is a reconstruction of the box that originally controlled the Brooklands Road level crossing to the north of  the station . 

The Automobile Palace
The 'Tom Norton Building' known as the Automobile Palace, is a Grade II listed building and is an example of an early motor showroom dating from 1909. Recently magnificently restored
and converted to provide  several retail outlets, it compliments the other shops and cafes on the opposite side of the road.  

The National Cycle Exhibition
Automobile Palace, Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells, Powys Tel: (01597) 825531 Recently established in the restored Automobile Palace, the National Cycle Exhibition houses many interesting machines, principally comprising the Tom Norton collection of historic bicycles.  View archive material, memorabilia, discover sporting personalities and learn the history of cycling on video.  The exhibition features exciting displays showing typical Victorian and Edwardian cycle shops and a lamp collection.

Princes Avenue and Llandrindod Lake
Leading from the Automobile Palace to Llandrindod Lake, Princes Avenue is the location of an 18 hole putting course with crazy golf facility and Llandrindod Premier Play Park that offers something for children of all ages.  Visit the Lakeside Restaurant or just enjoy walking around the lake itself, on which can be seen its resident swans and many other kinds of waterfowl.  Coarse fishing is available on the Lake. A little further a field...

Cefnllys Castle, St Michael's Church and Shaky Bridge 2.5 miles (5 miles round trip)
May be reached on foot from the Lakeside on well sign posted and waymarked footpaths over moderately steep terrain with many magnificent views.  A Llandrindod Wells - Cefnllys Circular Walk Leaflet is available from the Tourist Information Centre.  A picnic site is situated at 'Shaky Bridge'.  Across the river Ithon is the 13th Century St Michael's Church and Cefnllys Castle Bank.  They may be reached via the bridge (1940), that replaced the original 'Shaky Bridge.'

Llandrindod Old Parish Church to Howey Village 2 miles (4 miles round trip)
May also be reached on foot from the Lake up hill following the Golf Links Road past Hall Farm to the Old Parish Church of Llandrindod.  From this  point the route follows a well signposted and waymarked footpath, southwards along the eastern flank of the hills  towards Providence Baptist Chapel Howey and the village itself.  Refreshments may be had at the Drovers' Arms and Bridge End Inn in the village.  To return to the Lake, retrace your steps along Church Road and then follow the footpath that is signposted opposite the farm.

Cors-Y- Llyn National Nature Reserve (near Newbridge-on -Wye 5 miles)
Cors-Y-Llyn National Nature Reserve is just off the A470 south of Newbridge-on-Wye, and is home to a number of rare species of plant, being the remnant of a melt-water pool dating from the last Ice Age.

Builth Wells and Area
Seven miles south of Llandrindod Wells, the market town of Builth Wells possesses a Monday market and has a range of family shops where you receive a level of friendly personal service that you will long remember.  Visit the Wyeside Arts Centre and stroll down the Groe Park along the riverside.

Wyeside Arts Centre
This unique Centre incorporates a theatre and cinema and, as well as the latest films, has a variety of live entertainment covering theatre, music, dance and children's shows.  There is also a gallery showing works by local artists and craftspeople.

Builth Castle
The original Norman castle was built in 1098 and exchanged hands many times in the battles with the Welsh.  King Edward 1st had a large castle built on the site in the 13th Century but now only the earthworks remain.

Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells
On the opposite side of the river Wye from Builth Wells, lies the showground when during the 3rd week of July the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society holds its annual show.  It has other events throughout the year.

The Llewelyn Memorial, Cilmery
A few miles south-west of Builth Wells along the A483 at Cilmery, stands the memorial to Prince Llewelyn, the last native Prince of Wales, killed in a skirmish with the English in 1282 at the site.

Rhayader and the Elan Valley
Rhayader is the gateway to the Elan Valley lying alongside the upper Wye.  Friendly shops and cafes surround the clock tower and the many pubs and hotels provide a warm welcome to the visitor. 
Visit the Welsh Royal Crystal factory to watch the craftsmen at work, take the Gigrin Farm Trail or visit the Kite feeding centre.

Welsh Royal Crystal
5 Bynberth Industrial Estate, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5EN
Tel: (01597) 811005
The Principality's foremost manufacturer of hand crafted lead crystal tableware and gift items.  Visitors enjoy a tour (admission charge) of the manufacturing process which features glass blowing, cutting and decoration of the glass shape and final polishing.  Afterwards visitors can browse in the shop stocked with Welsh Royal Crystal products at very affordable prices.  Facilities include ample parking space for cars and coaches, disabled access and a cafe serving refreshments.  Open 9.00am-12.30 and 1.30pm-4.30pm all the year round.

Marston Pottery Showroom
Lower Cefn Faes, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5LT
Tel: (01597) 810875
Phil Rogers has been a potter for 20 years and is a fellow and former chairman of the Craft Potters Association of Great Britain.  His pots are hand thrown on a potters wheel and are intended to be used in the home.  The pots are glazed at 1300 °c using local stone dusts, clays and also common salt in the glazes.  In the pottery showroom you will find kitchen and tableware in the form of jugs, teapots, casseroles and the like, along side bottles and vases where function is combined with a more decorative and contemplative feel.

Elan Valley
Located south-west of Rhayader along the B4518, the Elan Valley offers 70 square miles of superb walking and birdwatching country with a Countryside Ranger Service.  Walking guides may be obtained from Tourist Information Centres and Welsh Water's Visitor Centre.  The area comprises woodlands, moorland, rivers and spectacular dams, nature trail and picnic areas beside the River

Elan Valley Visitor Centre
Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5HP Tel: (01597) 810880 Rangers Office, 810899 Cafe, 810898 Information Office.
The Elan Valley Visitor Centre is located 3 miles south-west of Rhayader off the B4518, and is open 7 days a week during the summer season. 
Admission is free and features a water and wildlife exhibition, audiovisual show, information office, shop, cafe, toilets and large picnic area.  The centre is fully accessible for wheelchairs and there is easy parking.  The Rangers Office offers a programme of walking events throughout the year, these are usually free but, suitable waterproof clothing and boots are required.  Freshly made packed lunches may be ordered from the cafe.

Gigrin Farm Red Kite Feeding Station
South Street, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BL Tel: (01597) 810243 At Gigrin Farm learn about and observe local wildlife by visiting the Nature Trail and Bird Reserve.  The Red Kite Feeding Station is in operation 12 months a year, where these beautiful birds of prey are fed daily together with Ravens, Buzzards and other Carrion birds.  Feeding takes place 2pm GMT (= 3pm in summer), Hides are suitable for wheelchair access and viewing.  Other facilities include picnic site and childrens play area. Click here to visit the gigrin farm website

Gilfach Farm Longhouse and Nature Reserve
St. Harmon, Rhayader, Powys Tel: (01597) 870301
A lovingly restored Welsh longhouse in the centre of a 418 acre nature reserve, with tumbling upland river, sessile oak woodland, meadows and upland moorland, owned and managed by the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust Ltd, a Registered Charity.  You can either book a special guided visit to the reserve, available on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings in the summer season (Easter to the last Sunday in September), or take a free walk around the longhouse, where you can watch live action from the reserve and learn about Gilfach's wildlife and history.  For disabled visitors there is special parking and access to the centre, with adapted toilet facilities.