Discover Llanidloes: A Day of History, Nature, and Charm

Llanidloes, almost dead-center in Wales, is a town rich with character, straddling the lush border country and the mountainous 'Wild Wales'. This unique location has shaped Llanidloes into a town with a diverse heritage and a vibrant present. Our itinerary will guide you through a day filled with exploration, history, nature, and local culture in this picturesque gem of Mid Wales.

This itinerary will guide you through a day of exploration, history, nature, and local culture in this picturesque town.

Morning

Market Hall

Start your day at the historic timber-framed Market Hall, a striking black-and-white building dating from the early 17th century. It’s the only one of its kind surviving in Wales. This ‘magpie-style’ structure once served as a marketplace and courthouse and still stands as a proud symbol of Llanidloes’s rich heritage. A stone in the old marketplace commemorates visits by evangelist John Wesley, who preached here in the 18th century.

Town Hall and Llanidloes Museum

Next, head to the Grade II listed Town Hall, a fine example of Arts and Crafts architecture. The Llanidloes Museum, located within, offers a fascinating glimpse into the town's past with exhibits on the textile and mining industries, the Chartist Movement, and everyday Victorian life. Don’t miss the free town walks starting from the Town Hall, led by local experts, available from June to September.

The Trewythen

Opposite the Town Hall, this hotel has historic associations with the Chartist Movement. A plaque marks the site of a Chartist outbreak in 1839 when townsfolk released three men arrested for their political activities. The hotel’s restaurant, named after the Chartists, is a great place to enjoy a morning coffee or brunch.

Afternoon

Minerva Arts Centre

Head to the Minerva Arts Centre, a spacious shop and exhibition space displaying local art and crafts. Managed by the Quilt Association, it often features exhibitions of antique and vintage Welsh quilts, linking back to Llanidloes’s historic textile industry.

Great Oak Street and High Street

Take a leisurely stroll along Great Oak Street leading to High Street. This area boasts an eclectic range of small independent shops selling everything from bikes and antiques to crafts, books, organic food, and Welsh quilts. Stop by the Great Oak Café for a tasty lunch of salads, soups, and vegan goodies. If the weather is nice, enjoy your meal in the lovely courtyard with an attached wildlife garden.

The Mount Inn

This cosy inn and B&B stands on the site of Llanidloes’s first stronghold, a Norman motte-and-bailey castle. The Mount Inn is one of the many characterful alehouses that once served the town’s industrial population. It’s a perfect spot for a mid-afternoon refreshment.

Evening

Bridgend Factory

Visit the Bridgend Factory, built in 1834, one of the many flannel mills in the area, now converted into flats. This large, handsome building is a testament to the town’s industrial past. Originally water-powered, it still retains much of its industrial character.

Church of St Idloes

End your day at the Church of St Idloes, occupying a site founded by a 7th-century Celtic saint. The church is noteworthy for its medieval origin, massive 14th-century stone tower, and late-medieval hammer-beam roof. The early 13th-century arcade of five stone bays, rescued from the Cistercian Abbey Cwmhir, adds to its historic charm.

Curiosities and Surprises

The Long and the Short of It:

 Navigate Llanidloes with ease. Walk down Long Bridge Street to the Long Bridge over the River Severn or take Short Bridge Street to its namesake bridge.

Message in a Bottle:

 Local folklore speaks of a bottle under the Short Bridge containing the spirit of Lady Jeffries, who will be freed when the ivy at either side of the bridge joins and reaches the parapet.

What's in a Name?:

 The Royal Head on Short Bridge Street, an amalgamation of the Royal Oak and King’s Head, is now known as the Whistling Badger at the Royal Head or simply the Whistling Badger.

From Little Acorns: 

 Llanidloes was home to the first shop opened by Laura Ashley, whose fashion company grew into an international brand.

Two Heads Are Better Than One:

  Llanidloes Museum houses a quirky exhibit – a stuffed lamb with two heads.

The Magnificent Severn:

 Llanidloes is the first town on the Severn, Britain’s longest river. Follow the Severn Way footpath to its source in the Plynlimon Mountains, a challenging 15-mile hike.