The 10 Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Powys, Wales

December 14, 2021 Elouise Mccaul

Wales' spectacular scenic rural heartland, and the site of Brecon Beacons National Park, Powys is a lush land of verdant mountain valleys, craggy caves and quirky towns. The staunchly nationalistic area offers appealing outdoors opportunities. Canter on horseback through the rugged Brecon Beacons mountain range. Walk or cycle the charming valleys. Other draws are commanding Powis Castle near Welshpool and the Centre for Alternative Technology, a sustainable development center, near Machynlleth.
Restaurants in Powys

1. The Judge's Lodging Museum

Shirehall Broad Street, Presteigne LD8 2AD Wales +44 1544 260650 [email protected] http://www.judgeslodging.org.uk/
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 206 reviews

The Judge's Lodging Museum

Reviewed By michaelpO879FI

What an absolute gem this place is! The audio tour was superb, and the entire building has been restored beautifully - I can’t get over the use of paraffin lamps and non-mantled gas jet lighting, which all adds to the feel of what it was like ‘upstairs/downstairs’ and in the cells/Shire Hall courtroom. We spent almost two hours exploring the building where you can sit, touch, dress up and really get hands on with the heritage. Really can’t praise this place enough!

2. The Hall at Abbey-Cwm-Hir

The Hall Abbey-Cwm-Hir, Llandrindod Wells LD1 6PH Wales +44 1597 851727 [email protected] http://www.abbeycwmhir.com
Excellent
89%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 567 reviews

The Hall at Abbey-Cwm-Hir

The Hall is a 52 roomed, Grade 11* Gothic Revival mansion, standing in 12 acres of gardens near Llandrindod Wells in Mid Wales. The Hall offers tours to the public. The tours combine outstanding architecture, stunning interiors, thousands of collectable items and beautiful grounds. The gardens include a walled garden, woodland walks, a lake and waterfall, lawns, terraces and courtyards. From 1st November each year, all 52 rooms are decorated to individual themes for Christmas.

Reviewed By smh1302 - Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

We were very cordially greted by Paul and his lovely dog which set the tone for a terrific experience. It's a family home which is beautifully decorated for Christmas; all of the 52 rooms are open to the tours and each has it's own theme & Xmas decs, it's often a mish-mash of styles which only adds to its origionality but the overall effect is stunning as is the decor and furnishings. If you are expecting a traditionally furnished period property you maybe disappointed (visit a NT house instead!) but it's a quirky one-off which is very refreshing - Art Deco was once "different". It's very obvious that Paul & Victoria are emensly proud of their home and all the work they've put into it and rightly so, they were extremely genial hosts who went out of their way to make us and our son very welcome going above & beyond to make our experience so positive. Credit must also go to Karen who showed us around, she was fab & so knowledgeable, the time simply flew by.

Brook Street, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5BQ Wales +44 1497 821070 [email protected] http://www.brookstreetpottery.co.uk/
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 23 reviews

Brook Street Pottery & Gallery

Beautiful pottery shop and gallery exhibiting a carefully curated range of British contemporary ceramics . The gallery also has jewellery and prints for sale. In the upper floor gallery space there are changing exhibitions of applied arts. The 300 year old building also houses a working pottery making frostproof hand thrown studio terracotta for the garden. Owner and potter Simon Hulbert makes original and functional garden pots and fellow potter Bill Parkes makes a range of standard useful garden pots like Half pans and Long Toms. Simon has also recently been to China and now makes collection of small porcelain vessels including vases , dishes, espresso cups and lidded boxes.

Reviewed By jojo1essex2019 - Newport, United Kingdom

Lovely gallery and lots of pottery for sale with a good range of prices. Definitely worth a look. There was an exhibition on when I visited. Very reasonably priced earthenware for the garden too.

4. Newtown Textile Museum

5-7 Commercial Street, Newtown SY16 2BL Wales +44 1686 622024 [email protected] http://www.newtowntextilemuseum.co.uk
Excellent
79%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 34 reviews

Newtown Textile Museum

Museum is now closed for the winter but will reopen on 25 May. depending, of course, on the regulations at the time. When opening is possible we will continue to offer visitors the opportunity to book timed-entry visits, as well as being able to come in without pre-booking if the numbers in the Museum at the time permit it. Bookings are now available on Eventbrite. As you would expect, safe-distance requirements and all the other Covid-safe measures will be in place. The Museum gives a great insight into the woollen industry, its boom and bust cycles and the effect on the development and growth of Newtown during the 1800s. It covers the story of wool from fleece to flannel, and tells the story of the families who lived and worked in this rare building from that period. It opens during the summer months.

Reviewed By nicolamC3562BE - Newtown, United Kingdom

A really interesting building, which has much improved since being taken over from the local council. Every room was informative, with displays and artefacts, and the volunteer staff were friendly and happy to answer questions. A pity that some of the more interactive activities were not available, due to the Covid restrictions, but that cannot be helped in the current circumstances, and it didn't spoil our visit. Well worth a visit!!

5. Llanwrtyd Wells Heritage and Arts Centre

Ffos Rd, Llanwrtyd Wells LD5 4RG Wales +44 1591 610067 http://history-arts-wales.org.uk/about/
Excellent
95%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 38 reviews

Llanwrtyd Wells Heritage and Arts Centre

6. Welshpool 1940's Weekend

8 Dolyfelin, Welshpool SY21 7NB Wales +44 7782 166342 [email protected] http://welshpool1940sweekend.co.uk/
Excellent
85%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 13 reviews

Welshpool 1940's Weekend

Get yourselves ready to transport yourself back to the 1940s and imagine you are in a small town were evacuated children are arriving from the major industrial towns of the North West, soldiers are going back to barracks after being on leave, aircrew are heading off to airfields of Shropshire. So in the words of the song “Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag, and smile, smile, smile.”

Reviewed By mandy4691 - Loughborough, United Kingdom

Interesting weekend, lots to do, cars people dressed up music very enjoyable time. Stalls, bric a brac all sorts to do with the 40s a well thought out wkd well worth a visit

7. The National Showcaves Centre for Wales

Dan-Yr-Ogof Showcaves Brecon Road Near Swansea/Brecon, Pen-y-cae SA9 1GJ Wales +44 1639 730284 [email protected] http://www.showcaves.co.uk
Excellent
54%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,424 reviews

The National Showcaves Centre for Wales

Voted Britain’s Finest Natural Wonder, and the winner of all major environmental and tourism awards.There are three exceptional caves to experience - Dan-yr-Ogof, Cathedral Cave and Bone Cave. Each cave offers a unique underground adventure. In Dan-yr-Ogof you walk through beautifully decorated passageways for just under 1 kilometre; in Cathedral Cave you walk through enormous caverns, carved out millions of years ago. At the end of this cave you will walk behind 40 feet high waterfalls that cascade around you in the ‘Dome of St Paul’s’, an exceptional end to a truly breathtaking cave. In Bone Cave learn why 42 human skeletons are buried there, and why our ancestors used caves all those years ago.On site we also have one of the world’s largest collections of life-sized dinosaur models. Ranging from the ever popular Tyrannosaurus Rex and Brachiosaurs, to the lesser-known Tsintaosaurus. There are over 220 models to see – you are bound to find your favourite dinosaur! The Shire Horse Centre offers the excitement of two indoor children’s play areas. We also have the farm experience. Why not make friends with the gentle giants – our Shire horses are waiting to say hello. Include the Iron Age village, museum, stone circles, and you have plenty to see and do for all ages. As we are situated in a National Park, you might like to consider staying on our Caravan/Tenting site for your visit to the caves?For those who may want a break, there is our Coffee shop, and finally the Rock and Dinosaur shop to enjoy.

Reviewed By 656lily

For the caves: It was absolutely fantastic. Beautiful caves and very informative audio guides as you go round. I went during the Covid-19 pandemic and the friendly staff made it very clear how to negotiate the caves while still staying safe which was very much appreciated, since one of my close family members is high risk- plus there were many hand sanitizer stations. One of the three caves was shut (the ‘bone cave’) but it didn’t matter at all or take away from the experience. Kids would absolutely love the dinosaurs, with cool scenes set up and moving creatures! Adults and teens would be awestruck by the beautiful caves with cascading waterfalls and wonderful rock formations. The site is very dog friendly and I saw many happy dogs enjoying their day. The gift shop was excellent, selling fossils and crystals, as well as toy dinosaurs and fun ‘welsh love spoons’. There is a farm with very friendly sheep, goats, llamas, shire horses and pigs and you could sit stroking the sheep for hours!! Overall a great experience and I’m coming back next year!!! For camping: Gorgeous location, with the rolling hills and pretty forests- there is even a little stream behind the campsite where you can explore and swim in the deep bits. The staff are again very friendly and welcoming and if you hear otherwise then I’m sure it is the reviewer that is bitter-natured rather than the staff. The toilet block is really clean with nice hot showers and big mirrors. Would very much recommend this picturesque, calm getaway!

8. The National Cycle Museum

The Automobile Palace Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells LD1 5DL Wales +44 1597 825531 [email protected] http://www.cyclemuseum.org.uk/
Excellent
63%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 68 reviews

The National Cycle Museum

The foremost cycle collection in the UK. Cycles of all ages and types.Lots of memorabilia and special exhibitions. Guaranteed to bring back memories. Situated in the famous Automobile Palace- an Art Deco Styled building

Reviewed By efcraig

Visited with my 9 year old granddaughter during half-term. Beforehand not sure if we would both be happy. Fears completely allayed. We both loved it. There were some quirky machines to keep her happy. History spans from hobby horse to modern carbon racing bikes. All great names of British bike history on display and brought back fantastic memories of the near recent times when everyone cycled. Also reminds us of the time when the UK particularly Coventry, was at the absolute cutting edge of design and manufacture of cycles. Curator really friendly and well laid out with ample explanations. A really pleasant way to spend an hour or so, with very reasonable entrance fee.

9. Red Kite Feeding Station & Rehabilitation Centre

Gigrin Farm South Street, Rhayader LD6 5BL Wales +44 1597 810243 http://gigrin.co.uk/index.php
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 805 reviews

Red Kite Feeding Station & Rehabilitation Centre

Reviewed By MikeLinda23 - Llandudno, United Kingdom

Long day trip from Llandudno, and easy to find. Nice cafe and very good welcome/service. Enjoyable walk around the farm trail and then the kites!! Absolutely fantastic spectacle, whether you are a twitcher or not!! Beautiful birds, and, as they say, must have been 300 plus there as well as the odd buzzard. Excellent.

Llandeilo Graban, Builth Wells LD2 3SJ Wales +44 1982 560674 [email protected] http://www.erwoodstation.com
Excellent
69%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 158 reviews

Erwood Station Gallery

Welcome to Erwood Station Gallery ,nestled between Brecon and Builth Wells in the picturesque Wye Valley, this beautifully restored 19th century railway station and carriages shows the very best in contemporary craft paintings and sculpture. The tea room is temporarily closed but self service cold drinks and pre wrapped cakes are available. Please check our website for opening times in Winter.

Reviewed By Moff1966

Tucked away in an old railway station is this middle to high end art gallery with a self-service café... Wide range of ceramics, pictures and jewellery to admire and desire! Quality range of teas to choose from and amazing cakes. The walk down to the River Wye well worth it to work off the calories!

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