Places to Visit

There are many interesting small towns and other places of interest in this part of Mid Wales within easy reach of Kilsby Cottage in Llanwrtyd Wells.

Llandovery on the River Tywi is 11 miles away.

Builth Wells, a small market town on the river Wye is 13 miles away.

Delightful Hay-on-Wye on the England/Wales border, and well known for its book and antique shops, is 32 miles away.

Carmarthen, with the new National Botanic Garden of Wales is just 35 miles away. The Garden's centrepiece is the Great Glasshouse. Inside the amazing tilted glass dome is a Mediterranean landscape dominated by a six-metre deep ravine. Rock terraces and sheer faces are cut by streams and waterfalls. A lake provides a humid habitat at the foot of the chasm. Visitors are able to experience the aftermath of an Australian bush fire, pause in a Spanish olive grove or wander through collections of fuschias from Chile. There's something for everyone at the Garden of Wales, from the peaceful surroundings of the Japanese Garden, its stream, teahouse and cherry trees, and the lakeside walks and prairie walks to an opportunity to see the development of the unique Double Walled Garden.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales (gardenofwales.org.uk)

Aberglasney, “A garden lost in time”. The mysteries of this garden are still being unravelled. Its origins date back to Henry VII. Visit Aberglasney and experience an exceptional survival of Jacobean garden structures that have all but disappeared elsewhere. Explore the ancient formal gardens with its pools, parapets, arcades and arches, and then discover the rare and exciting plants that are turning the woodland areas into a plantsman's paradise. It's worth going there just for lunch!!

Aberglasney - A Garden Lost in Time (aberglasney.org)

Dinefwr Castle, towering above the Tywi Valley, is situated in a park of great beauty and Welsh historical importance.

Powis Castle and Garden. The world famous Garden, overhung with enormous clipped yew trees, shelters rare and tender plants in colourful herbaceous borders. Perched on a rock above the garden terraces, the medieval Castle contains one of the finest collections of paintings and furniture in Wales. There is a lovely National Trust Shop and Coffee Shop.

The Brecon Beacons National Park, the Elan Valley with its spectacular scenery and the West Coast with its beautiful beaches are all within easy reach.

The spectacular Royal Welsh Show Ground at Llanelwedd near Builth Wells is the venue for the Royal Welsh Garden Festival and Smallholders Weekend which takes place in May, and the popular Winter Fair which takes place in early December. The Internationally acclaimed Royal Welsh Agricultural Show is held for four days in July.

Other Suggestions:

Carreg Cennen Castle
Centre for Alternative Technology
Dan Yr Ogof National Show Caves
Dolaucothi Gold Mines
Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre (owlcentre.com)