Wales is roughly divided into South Wales, West Wales, North Wales and Mid Wales. There are no official boundaries between these regions, and largely where one region ends and the next beings will depend on who you are speaking too, and more importantly where they are from. For us Mid Wales is anywhere north of the A40, east of Cardiff but south of Machynlleth. Essentially, if it is in Wales, but isn’t in North, South or West, it is Mid Wales
Some parts of Mid Wales can be included on a Long Day (up to 10 Hour) Tour from Cardiff, but some parts would require at least a 2 day Multi-day Tour. However, due to the distances and driving time involved, we would recommended a minimum of 2 days for any tours including Mid Wales.
Mid Wales is both the largest region, and least populated region of Wales, with much of mid Wales having a population density of less then 20 people per square mile, and large areas being totally uninhabited. There are still a handful of towns and villages in the region though
- Aberystwyth – The largest town in Mid Wales on the West Wales Coast. Home to the first University in Wales, the Wales National Library and the UK’s 2nd longest Funicular cliff railway
- Rhyader – Almost the cross roads of Wales located almost exactly in the geographic centre of Wales
- Elan Village – Small village that lends its name to the Elan Valley, an picturesque part of Wales with numerous woods and reservoirs
- Llanidloes – First town on the River Severn, the longest river in the UK
- Cardigan – Location of the first National Eisteddfod, Europe’s oldest, and one of the largest annual Cultural Festival in 1167
- Hay-on-Wye – More bookstores per square mile than any where in the world, and home of the worlds largest Literary Festival, the Hay Festival
Largely due to its topography, there are relatively few Castles in Mid Wales still standing, but there are a few that can be visited
- Powis Castle – Impressive 13th Century Castle, also impressive 16th Century Gardens
- Aberystwyth Castle – Ruins of a Norman Castle on the West Wales coast built to defend against Irish Invasion. Largely destroyed by war, and weather
- Cardigan Castle – 13th Century Native Welsh Castle built on the banks of the River Teifi
- Strata Florida – One of Early Medieval Wales’ most important Abbeys and burial place of a number of Welsh Princes
The Cambria Mountains Dominate Mid Wales, with much of the area between the Cambria Mountains and the border with England being woods and forests, and farmland. Particularly pasture for sheep. The best views and scenery are located in the Cambria Mountains. We are mystified about how the Cambria Mountains are not even a designated and protected National Landscape. We firmly believe it is National Park worthy, and equally as beautiful as National Parks such as Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and Bannau Brycheiniog. Here are some of the best places in Mid Wales for views and scenery
- Devils Bridge – Waterfalls fall through the woods, near three bridges built one over the other. Legend tells us that this is the last place the Devil appeared in Wales, after being humiliated by a local farmer
- Elan Valley – A series of reservoirs and woods and forests make Elan Valley a special place for beautiful scenery
- West Wales Coast Road – This is one of our favourite roads in all of Wales, particularly the stretch between Aberaeron and Aberystwyth, driving along the cliff tops with the Irish Sea on one side, and the Cambria Mountains on the other
- Clywedog Reservoir – Picturesque views across the reservoir and down into the Valley
- Foel Fadian – At 563m, it is the most northern tall mountain in the Cambria Mountains, with the road reaching around 540m above sea level it is possible to drive almost all the way to the summit and have spectacular views to the north west
- Nant-y-Moch Reservoir – Breath taking views near Pumlumon Fawr, the highest peak in the Cambria Mountains
- Llyn Brianne – In the Southern Cambria Mountains, a large reservoir with amazing views down the valley from the 91me high Dam
There are a couple of Steam and Heritage Railways in Mid Wales.
- Vale of Rhiedol Railway – Running between Aberystwyth and Devils Bridge, this railway takes you deep into the Cambria Mountains
- Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway – Narrow gauge steam railway running between Welshpool & Llanfair on a 16 mile journey through Mid Wales
There are a couple of places in Mid Wales where you can go to see wildlife in its natural habitat
- New Quay Dolphin Cruises – Dolphin Spotting boat trips from New Quay around Cardigan Bay
- Gilgrin Farm, Rhyader – Watch the rare Red Kite’s, Buzzards and Kestrels feed, as fresh meat is laid out for them every day at feeding time