Explore Mid Wales

Mountains, coast and forests

discover this undiscovered area – there’s loads to do whatever you’re into.

Beaches
Bird watching
Cycling & cycle hire
Mountain biking
Mine exploring
Golf  
Sailing / windsurfing / watersports
Local independent shops
Surf school
Swimming – wild, sea and leisure pools
Steam heritage railways
Walking – coastal paths, woodland & mountains
Clay pigeon shooting

Machynlleth, nestled in the stunning Dyfi Valley of Mid Wales, offers visitors a delightful blend of natural beauty, history, and cultural experiences.

The town itself is steeped in Welsh history as the site of Owain Glyndŵr's Parliament in 1404, now commemorated by the fascinating Owain Glyndŵr Centre. While you’re here, there aplenty of great independent shops, cafés and antique shops too. The town's weekly market, held every Wednesday, provides a taste of local life with stalls selling Welsh produce, crafts, and antiques, making it one of the longest-running markets in Wales.

Art lovers should visit MOMA Machynlleth (Museum of Modern Art), which houses an impressive collection of Welsh art and regularly changing exhibitions.

Just north of town, the Corris Caverns provides an inspiring day out with the excellent Corris Craft Centre, Dyfi Gin distillery, underground exploring of the old slate mines with Corris Mine Explorers, as well as King Arthurs Labyrinth – an underground storytelling adventure of Welsh legends. Also at Corris, Tywyn, Llanfair Caereinion and Aberystwyth, you can experience a gentle journey through the countryside on a steam railway – great fun for visitors of all ages.

The nature and community of the Dyfi valley area forms the Dyfi Biosphere – a UNESCO-designated area of significance globally. For nature lovers it offers exceptional walking and cycling routes through ancient woodlands, along with opportunities for bird watching at the RSPB Ynys-hir Reserve, where ospreys and other rare species can be spotted seasonally. The nearby Dyfi Osprey Project and Wildlife Centre allows visitors to observe these magnificent birds during their breeding season.

It’s easy to head to the coast, the charming coastal villages of Aberdyfi and Borth are just a short drive away, offering huge sandy beaches perfect for relaxation or water sports. The more adventurous can head to Cadair Idris, one of Wales' most iconic mountains, offering spectacular hikes and breathtaking views across Snowdonia and beyond.

Places to
Eat & Drink

Here's a selection of notable establishments in the area:

Machynlleth

  • Gwen - gwenrestaurant.co.uk - An intimate, modern restaurant and bar offering fine seasonal Welsh produce with a contemporary twist.

  • The Wynnstay Hotel - wynnstay.wales - Historic coaching inn with both traditional dining and casual pub fare featuring local ingredients.

  • Ty Medi - ty-medi.co.uk - Eco-friendly café with excellent vegetarian and vegan options using locally sourced ingredients.

  • The White Lion Hotel - whitelionhotel.co.uk - Traditional pub with hearty Welsh classics and a friendly atmosphere.

Dyfi Valley & Surroundings

  • The Dovey Valley Hotel - doveyvalleyhotel.com - Cemmaes Road, our local Welsh pub/bar offering local ales, drinks and snacks. Occasional events.

  • Ynyshir - ynyshir.co.uk - Michelin-starred destination restaurant offering innovative tasting menus with Japanese influences.

  • Glan yr Afon - riversidepennal.co.uk - Riverside pub in Pennal offering traditional Welsh meals and local ales with outdoor seating.

  • The Brigands Inn (Mallwyd) - brigandsinn.com - Historic 16th-century coaching inn serving quality pub food in a picturesque setting.

  • The Black Lion - blacklion-derwenlas.co.uk - A pub and restaurant in Derwenlas known for its warm welcome and traditional Welsh dining experience.

Note: Please check opening hours and booking requirements before visiting as these may change seasonally.