Swoop, dive and ride
Watch red kites swoop and dive for dinner at Gigrin Farm and stick around for the mountain-bike trails. Cycle the Rheidol Trail from Devil’s Bridge to Aberystwyth. Brave King Arthur’s Labyrinth, enjoy cuddle heaven at Fantasy Farm Park, ride the Rheidol Railway and find a petrified forest on Borth beach.
Country kids
Brave King Arthur’s Labyrinth, a mythical world filled with dragons, giants, fierce battles and the legendary King Arthur. Guided by a hooded Dark-Age boatman, you’ll watch ancient legends unfold with dramatic scenes, lights and sounds. Or go on an atmospheric journey through the mists of time at the Silver Mountain Experience.
Enjoy countryside hacks on small, quiet ponies with Rheidol Riding Centre. Head out for cuddle heaven at Fantasy Farm Park, with its petting zoo, rodeo, heated indoor play area for toddlers, and lake pedal boats. Or ride the Rheidol Railway from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge and watch out for buzzards and red kites.
Observe more red kites plus dippers and pied flycatchers at Gilfach Nature Reserve. Experience the conditions of the Roman, Victorian and 1930s underground workings at the Dolaucothi gold mines. Or meet Welsh Black cattle, Llanwenog sheep, rare Welsh pigs, chickens, geese and doves at Llanerchaeron, a self-sufficient villa.
On your way to find the petrified forest on Borth beach, stop off at Borth Animalarium, home of domestic and farm animals that you can pet and feed. Paint your own pots at Blue Island Ceramics. Take a boat trip from New Quay to spot seals and stare at the contents of lobster pots. Wrap up with lovely fish and chips at The Lime Crab.
For the grown ups
Enjoying the odd sighting of a majestic red kite from the terrace or hot tub? How about visiting a feeding station to watch hundreds of them swoop and dive for their dinner at the same time every day? Get down to Gigrin Farm at Rhayader for 2pm every day, and stick around for the café and the mountain-bike trails.
Walkers will love the falls at Devil’s Bridge, with vertiginous views through the Rheidol Valley and plenty of charming folklore. Bring your bike for the 15-mile Rheidol Cycle Trail that takes you to Aberystwyth. And stick with the nature theme for the Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall, one of the Seven Wonders of Wales.
Head out to lovely nature reserves at Pwll Penarth, Llanmerewig and Llyn Mawr. Come in the summer for the Newtown Walking Festival. Visit the coast for blustery walks on beautiful beaches such as New Quay, Llangrannog, Penbryn and Mwnt. Watch out for the submerged petrified forest at Borth beach.
Watch history come alive at Powys Castle, a medieval marvel with glorious gardens and high yews, or climb way above the town to Montgomery Castle, for wonderful views in all directions. Or jump straight into the future at the Centre for Alternative Technology, with its examples of renewable energy and sustainable woodlands.
Happy Hens (and stags)
Hens (and stags) love a little bit of luxury and a fully renovated former rectory that sleeps 19 should do the trick nicely. That’s before you get onto the fun stuff. You’ve oodles to do on site, including swimming in the 15-metre heated indoor pool, watching movies in the cinema room and chilling in the hot tub beneath dark skies.
Head out for evening fun to Newtown, to The Kerry Lamb or The Waggon and Horses. Also in town, you’ll find bowling, a golf simulator and laser shooting at U-Strike, the Hafren Theatre and an art gallery. Be the hero of your own story at Beyond Breakout escape rooms. Or enjoy swim, gym and fitness classes at Maldwyn Leisure Centre.
Pop over to Mid-Wales Off Road, for karting and much more – like digger-driving, Land Rovers, paintballing and even horse-whispering. Stick around for the on-site barbecues. Or take a leisurely self-guided paddle down the Severn with Kingfisher Kayak and Canoe Hire.
Nip over the border for a little pampering at the Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel golf and spa in Whitchurch or the Lion Quays in Oswestry. Enjoy a civilised afternoon tea at The Metropole Hotel and Spa in Llandrindod Wells. Or head further north to Zip World, to whizz through the mountains at 100mph with a great view of Blaenau Ffestiniog.
