Things To Do Near Newtown Wales
Now a bustling hub of activity, the Newtown you see today is a far cry from its original, Norman roots. Over the centuries, this modest market town expanded, growing with industrial advancements in the woollen trade. In fact, Newtown became the first mail order town in the world when a local draper took full advantage of the introduction of steam power! Its location in Mid Wales also makes it the ideal base for great days out in the surrounding area.
With that in mind, in this post we’ll go through some of the best things to do near Newtown Wales.
Things To Do Near Newtown Wales
Powis Castle and Garden
Elan Valley visitor centre
Red Kite Feeding Station - Gigrin Farm
Llandrindod Wells - spa town
Gregynog Hall
Powis Castle and Garden
Located just 16 miles from Newtown, this striking, 13th Century medieval castle stands proudly above its world famous gardens. In Welsh, it is also known as ‘Y Castell Coch’ (The Red Castle) because of the eye catching colour of the sandstone used in its early construction. Powis Castle started as a border fortress, built by a Welsh Prince, and over the years was developed in to a grand residence which remained the seat of the Herbert and Clive families from the 16th Century.
Today it is owned and managed by the National Trust and makes for a fantastic day out. Inside, the castle is furnished with beautiful fabrics & tapestries, world-class paintings, ornate furniture plus the impressive Clive Collection of South Asian objects. There are also exhibits detailing how the castle was utilised during the world wars.
The famous garden still has many of its original features, including the 17th century Italian inspired terraces, a peaceful woodland and an Edwardian formal garden. Its the perfect place for stroll after grabbing lunch in the onsite cafe, soaking up the views over the Severn Valley.
There is plenty of free parking in the grounds and well behaved dogs are allowed in the gardens between 4 September and 28th February. Admission tickets cost £15 for adults, £7.50 for children. There are even 2 electric vehicle charging points by the welcome cabin which are free to use.
Elan Valley visitor centre
As the Elan Valley trust proudly says on their website - ‘Escape to Elan!’. There is a lot to see and do in the gorgeous setting of the Elan Valley including a selection of walking trails, bike trails, the 4 dams, the estate plus the some awesome stargazing opportunities. Thats why the visitor centre is a great place to start. Just under an hour away from Newtown, here you can find out all the information you need about the area, stop for lunch at the cafe, check out the exhibitions, enjoy a picnic against the backdrop of the Victorian Dam and even hire bikes! Finish off by picking up a souvenir from the gift shop to remember your day.
There is parking at the visitor centre, its £3.00 but entrance to the centre itself is free. The visitor centre is also dog friendly.
Red Kite Feeding Station - Gigrin Farm
Less than an hour away from Newtown, this 160 acre, family-run farm in the heart of mid Wales is now famous as a Red Kite Feeding Centre. Hundreds of Red Kites feed there every day. It truly is a breath-taking spectacle and one you must see for yourself on your trip to mid Wales. The Kites are fed once daily and the centre has general hides for you to watch from, as well as specialist photographic hides, all of which are just a few metres away from where the Red Kites are fed.
There is a car park, coffee shop (that serves cakes, ice-creams, snacks and hot & cold drinks), gift shop, picnic site, and farm trail on site. Pre-booking is highly recommended.
Llandrindod Wells - spa town
50 minutes away from Newtown is the pretty spa town of Llandrindod Wells. It has been rated the happiest place to live in Wales for three years running, as well as fifth happiest on a UK-wide list! This beautiful town has an air of Victorian charm about it, with wide roads and ornate shop fronts. If you follow the Llandrindod Wells Heritage Trail, you’ll be taken on a on a gentle walking tour where you can absorb the architectural heritage of the town. Make sure you take a walk to Rock Park as well to see the sculpture trail, grade 2 listed green space and Victorian spa buildings.
Llandrindod Wells was built for wellness and leisure so no trip here would be complete without a visit to the Rock Spa for the ultimate relaxing experience! If you fancy taking in that fresh, welsh air, this is also a great start point for some beautiful walks and cycle trails plus the nearby Lake Park offers SUP boarding, kayaking and victorian paddle boat hire. There really is so much to see and do in Llandrindod Wells that you might need to spend more than a day here.
Gregynog Hall
Gregynog is a stunning historic house located approx. 20 minutes from Newtown. This beautiful estate, featuring Grade 1 listed gardens, is nestled in the heart of rural Montgomeryshire. This is one of Wales’ premier country estates and is the former home of art collectors and public benefactors Gwendoline and Margaret Davies.
It is definitely one of Wales’s most unexpected hidden treasures. After several hundred years of private ownership, in 1913 a huge estate sale saw Gregynog’s farms, cottages and woodlands sold off. In fact, had the wealthy Davies sisters not purchased it in 1920, Gregynog Hall might have been demolished.
Today, it offers an inspiring setting where people can go to discover the arts and the natural environment. There is a cafe onsite as well as lots of stunning walks and cycle routes, an award winning nature reserve, a magnificent library plus electric vehicle charging is available (contact reception to use).
There is a car park which is £2.50 per car.
Newtown itself has many of its own amazing attractions but is also a fantastic base for exploring the beauty of Mid Wales. If you have visited the area recently, let us know what you thought of this stunning place and feel free to share any suggestions in the comments below.
As always, sharing is caring so make sure to share this guide with your family and friends and inspire them to head off on their own Welsh adventure.
