Heart of wales recommendations

[Ianmel1969]

Going to have a little break at Cynghordy in a couple of months time. I realise that trains are limited here but does anyone who knows the Heart of Wales line area have any recommendations as to where to visit along this line? We have pencilled in Llandrindod Wells already, looks a nice place.

 

[Greenback]

I think most of the towns along the route are attractive. I like Knighton, Llandovery and Llandeilo as well as Llandrindod Wells. Llanwrtyd Wells is very popular with those that enjoy outdoor activities, there are nice walks to be had form everywhere, though.

 

[Gathursty]

I was on the Heart of Wales line last week. The Cynghordy and Knucklas areas are very scenic. As for where to go, I went straight through as I didn't fancy stopping anywhere on a line with such a scant service, however saying that, Llandrindod Wells, Knighton, Builth Wells, Llangammarch Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells are the main and noteworthy stops to look at. Also, Dolau station is definitely worth more than a cursory glance thanks to the dedication of local volunteers.

 

[Techniquest]

The Heart of Wales is one of my closest lines, Knighton the closest station to me but a right royal pain to use thanks to poor bus links and poor choice of trains. Hence my very infrequent use of the HoW (so infrequent I can't actually remember when I last used it, maybe 2008?), which is a shame.

Knighton's an alright little town, but personally I wouldn't say that there was much to do at all here. The most interesting thing, to me at least, is that you can step off the train in England but once you leave the station you're in Wales.

Llandrindod, another town with little to do but you do have it better there now you've got things like Tesco in town now. Took long enough that's for sure! There's a nice park in town, around 20-25 minutes walk from the station I would imagine. The ticket office here, at least used to, has a collection of all manners of things railway related on display.

Dolau does indeed have a nice little station, but that is it. There's nothing around for miles and miles and miles. Random fact about it is that the Royal Train came here a few years back.

In all honesty, I can't think of much to stop off and visit really! I'm trying to think of stuff but I'm struggling. In my view, the Heart of Wales is best for a scenic journey but not really much to make a holiday off unless you enjoy walking. I suppose you could always get off at Sugar Loaf Halt and have a walk up to Sugar Loaf, from what I can remember of it from many years ago the views are quite stunning on a nice day.

 

[Greenback]

There's a lot of sense there, Techniquest. though I struggle to see Tesco as a reason to visit a town!

Seriously though, there isn't much to do in any of the towns along the route. But they are all nice enough for a wander around. You can get some fantastic coffee in the middle of Llandovery, there's gorgeous chocolate, ice cream and cakes in Llandeilo, and the station at Llandod is very interesting. The latter also has some nice old buildings to look at.

But the real attractions of the area lie away from the towns and village sand in the countryside. Near Llandeilo is the stunning Carreg Cennen Castle, one of my favourites, the Elan Valley is an easy drive from Llandod, and so on.

 

[Waldgrun]

I note with interest, Greenback's use of the word Llandod, after moving to Powys about 5 years ago, I kept hearing that name, and our local county councillor, kept on stating that he was going to meetings there. Which I thought strange because I could never, find it on any maps. Then I found out locals never say, Llandrindod Wells, they shorten the name to Llandod.
Techniquest in his write up on Knighton, hasn't mentioned Tuffins Supermarket which was once the towns cinema, (very confusing store layout) and boasts of the only multi-storey car part in Mid Wales!
I also agree with Greenback the Elan Valley is outstanding, the Visitor centre, is the old Railway workshops, most of the route of the old railway, is now a cycle path. A great shame the scheme to lay a 15 inch gauge line never came to be. (I wonder if sustrans where involved?)

 

[Greenback]

Llandrindod Wells is far too much of a pain to constantly say and type in full

 

[Waldgrun]

But not so much of as a mouthful as, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

 

[Greenback]

I wouldn't even attempt to sat that, Llanfair PG is sufficient!

 

[GatwickDepress]

The views from Cynghordy viaduct are absolutely stunning, and I have to echo Carreg Cennen Castle. Beautifully magnificent.

I've always thought a few hours rambling around the Welsh countryside would be a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

I wouldn't even attempt to sat that, Llanfair PG is sufficient!

Isn't that a brand of Welsh tea?

 

[Greenback]

Possibly, I always preferred Glengettie

 

[Ianmel1969]

Alas not having a car makes the castle out of reach i'm afraid, and I can't find any bus service that gets close.

Many thanks to all that replied

 

[Techniquest]

I didn't intend to mean Tesco as a reason to visit Llandod, just that it means the town has finally reached the point where a big shop is in town!

Aye we call it Llandod here in the shire too, has always been the case and I don't know the reason.

 

[PHILIPE]

But not so much of as a mouthful as, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

I appreciate your patience in typing the name in full

 

[Greenback]

I didn't intend to mean Tesco as a reason to visit Llandod, just that it means the town has finally reached the point where a big shop is in town!

I know, I forgot to put a smiley in, sorry!

 

[Waldgrun]

I appreciate your patience in typing the name in full

I didn't! Cut & Paste is wonderful!

 

[Techniquest]

I didn't intend to mean Tesco as a reason to visit Llandod, just that it means the town has finally reached the point where a big shop is in town!

I know, I forgot to put a smiley in, sorry!

Nay drama, I wasn't moaning in my post, just clarifying. Should have used a smiley in too

 

[bb21]

I will have around three hours to kill. I gather that Llandeilo (5-8) or Llandovery (4.30-7.30) would be the best places to visit? I wouldn't want to walk far from the station and would ideally like to have a place to charge my batteries for about an hour.

Any recommendations as to which one or whether there are other places of interest?