Monumental Whereabouts
History and Heritage in Powys
History in Powys isn't about what happened long ago, It's not about dates and dusty remains. It's about the here and now.
Don't just read about our ancestors in books. See what they saw, touch what they touched, walk a mile in their shoes. Or in the case of Offa's Dyke Path National Trail, you can walk 177 miles. Ride our steam railways, cruise our canals, explore our tram roads and drovers' paths. Stroll the pleasure gardens of our Victorian spa towns, marvel at the great stone dams of Elan Valley and Vyrnwy and the landscapes they created.
And when it comes to museums, here in Powys we're not too keen on the "look but don't touch" approach to history, You won't find museums like this anywhere else in Britain. That's because they're devoted to local heroes like the Robert Owen Memorial Museum in Newtown. They reflect the quirks and eccentricities of true enthusiasts.
Then there are our castles... some of them started life as stark medieval fortresses. They became sumptuous family homes where the rich and powerful could display a love of architecture, gardening and the arts. The Romans, the Mercians and the Normans all came, saw what they liked and built fortresses to stake their claim.
All this means you can spot a castle just about anywhere in Powys, most of our towns have got one. The atmospheric ruins crowning a hill above Montgomery, for instance, or the green "tump" beside the river in Crickhowell.
Walking Through History
Time to strap your boots on and step back in time, These History and Heritage walks have been developed by the Powys War Memorial Officer and partners to help you travel through time minus the need for a DeLorean or a Tardis.
These walks were developed as part of the Powys War Memorials Project to enable people to find out more about war memorials and places or buildings associated with World War 1. To find out more about the Powys War Memorials Project please click here
1. Talgarth World War 1 Walk
Talgarth (near Brecon) is a small market town in Powys, mid-Wales. According to records, Talgarth was the capital of the early medieval Welsh Kingdom of Brycheiniog (Brecknockshire).
The name Talgarth means ‘front of the hill’ and the town is situated at the foot of the Black Mountains.
A circular walk around the town has been produced by the Talgarth Walkers are Welcome Group and the Powys War Memorials Project. The walk enables you to find out how men, women and children from Talgarth were involved in and affected by World War 1.
The walk is just over 1 mile long and has been graded 'easy' because there is little ascent or descent and most of the walk is on pavements.
The English version of the walk leaflet can be downloaded here.
The Welsh version of the walk leaflet can be downloaded here.
There are also QR codes and associated website pages for the Talgarth walk. Here is a direct link to the History Points website page with information about the QR codes:
History Points QR codes for Talgarth World War 1 walk
We would welcome any feedback or comments about the walk.
2. Llandrindod Wells: World War 1 QR code walk
A World War 1 QR code walk around Llandrindod Wells was developed in association with the organisation, History Points.
The 1.5 mile (approximate) walk around the town enables you to find out more about Llandrindod Wells during World War 1.
Here is a direct link to the History Points website page about the walk:
http://historypoints.org/index.php?page=powys-tours
Here is a direct link to a map showing where all the QR codes are located in Llandrindod Wells:
http://historypoints.org/index.php?page=llandrindod-wells-powys-in-world-war-1
Here is some information about what QR codes are and how to use your phone or other device to access QR codes
3. Christ Church Welshpool World War 1 Poppy Trail
Christ Church in Welshpool is a redundant Victorian church that has become the life and love of Karl, Natalie and their three sons. The family have embarked on a lifelong restoration project, to create both a beautiful home and an atmospheric public space so all can share in this unique building and its heritage.
The Powys War Memorials Project has worked with Christ Church in Welshpool to create a World War 1 poppy trail walk around the church and its grounds. The poppy trail walk explores war memorials in the church itself and graves in the church yard.
The English version of the poppy trail walk leaflet can be downloaded here.
The Welsh version of the poppy trail walk leaflet can be downloaded here.
4. Brecon World War 1 Trail
The Powys War Memorials Project worked in collaboration with History Points to create a World War 1 trail around Brecon in Powys.
The trail, just over 1.5 miles long, enables you to explore 14 places of interest associated with World War 1.
5. Llanidloes World War 1 Trail and App
Two local historians have developed an app for a World War 1 trail in Llanidloes.
Llanidloes in the Great War available as PDF here
(Click PDF icon to open)
6. Crickhowell & Llangattock in World War 1
Take our self-guided tours to discover the many ways in which Crickhowell and Llangattock were affected by the war. To start the tour, simply use your mobile to scan the QR codes at any of the featured places (HiPoints).
When you’ve read the text for that location, click “Next” to see the text and map for the next place on the tour. Eventually you’ll return to your starting point.
The tour routes meet at the river bridge, so it’s easy to follow both or one at a time.
To follow the tours virtually, choose a starting location from the boxes on the right.
To view maps showing all HiPoints on these tours, follow the links:
Crickhowell map or Llangattock map.
The tour was created by HistoryPoints in conjunction with the Powys War Memorials Project.
7. Machynlleth in World War 1
Take our self-guided tour to discover the many ways in which Machynlleth was affected by the war.
To start the tour, simply use your mobile to scan the QR codes at any of the featured places (HiPoints). When you’ve read the text for that location, click “Next” to see the text and map for the next place on the tour. Eventually you’ll return to your starting point.
To follow the tour virtually, choose a starting location from the box on the right.
To view a map showing all HiPoints on this tour follow this link.
The tour was created by HistoryPoints in conjunction with the Powys War Memorials Project.
8. Newtown in World War 1
Take our self-guided tour to discover the many ways in which Newtown was affected by the war.
To start the tour, simply use your mobile to scan the QR codes at any of the featured places (HiPoints). When you’ve read the text for that location, click “Next” to see the text and map for the next place on the tour. Eventually you’ll return to your starting point.
To follow the tour virtually, choose a starting location from the box on the right.
To view a map showing all HiPoints on this tour follow this link.
The tour was created by HistoryPoints in conjunction with the Powys War Memorials Project.
9. Welshpool in World War 1
Take our self-guided tour to discover the many ways in which Welshpool was affected by the war.
To start the tour, simply use your mobile to scan the QR codes at any of the featured places (HiPoints). When you’ve read the text for that location, click “Next” to see the text and map for the next place on the tour. Eventually you’ll return to your starting point.
To follow the tour virtually, choose a starting location from the box on the right.
To view a map showing all HiPoints on this tour follow this link.
The tour was created by HistoryPoints in conjunction with the Powys War Memorials Project.
10. Ystradgynlais in World War 1
Take our self-guided tour to discover the many ways in which Ystradgynlais was affected by the war.
To start the tour, simply use your mobile to scan the QR codes at any of the featured places (HiPoints). When you’ve read the text for that location, click “Next” to see the text and map for the next place on the tour. Eventually you’ll return to your starting point.To follow the tour virtually, choose a starting location from the box on the right.
To view a map showing all HiPoints on this tour follow this link.
The tour was created by HistoryPoints in conjunction with the Powys War Memorials Project.
Please contact the Powys War Memorials Project Officer if you would like to help develop a war memorial walk or trail in Powys.