MWT Cymru
  • Home
    • About Us
      • Our Members
      • Our Partners
      • Visit Wales
  • Why Join?
    • Mid Wales Businesses
      • Mid Wales Accommodation
      • Mid Wales Attraction, Activity & Event Membership
      • Mid Wales Restaurant & Retail
    • North Wales Businesses
    • South Wales Businesses
      • South Wales Accommodation
      • South Wales Attraction & Activity Membership
      • South Wales Restaurant & Retail
    • Community Tourism Groups
    • National & Commercial
    • Supplier Membership
    • Representation
    • Membership Fees
    • FAQ's
    • Testimonials
  • IMI Wales
  • Marketing
    • Visit Mid Wales
    • The Importance of Destination Marketing
    • Bedroom Browser Advertising 2026/27
    • Mid Wales Visitor Guide Advertising 2025/26
    • TXGB
  • Resource Hub
    • 1. MEMBERS AREA
      • Information & Support
        • GDPR
        • TV and Copyright Licences
        • Setting up Google My Business
        • Book keeping & Payroll
        • Business Review
      • Press & PR Support
        • Mid Wales Media Hub
      • Member to Member
        • Menu Request
        • Brochure Request
        • Attractions & Activities Pass
        • FREE Browsers / Maps
      • Suppliers
    • Image Gallery
    • Trade Events
    • Press Releases
    • Current Projects
    • Suppliers
  • Contact
Join Now

Latest Press Releases

Industry News

Scenic drives to enjoy when visiting Mid Wales this summer

13/7/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
With stunning scenery around every bend, Mid Wales has some of the most scenic drives in the UK where visitors can take their time and enjoy the views.
 
Many of the fantastic routes are set against panoramic and breathtaking backdrops. Here are a few suggestions to whet the appetite of motorists who love to explore places off the beaten track.
 
For those seeking to build a holiday or short break around these scenic routes, visit - https://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/accommodation/ - to view the range of quality accommodation available across Mid Wales.
 
Our scenic drives begin with Abergwesyn Pass from Llanwrtyd Wells - famous for bog snorkelling, the man versus horse race and the Alternative Olympic Games - to Tregaron.
 
This single track runs through an almost brutally wild landscape of moors, escarpment, pine forest and scurrying streams. In the middle, there’s a steep series of hairpins called the Devil’s Staircase.
 
It’s not built for speed, which means its 20 odd miles can seem much further, especially when you might not pass a single soul for the entire trip, other than the occasional sheep.
 
Along the route, drivers will see Soar y Mynydd, the most remote chapel in Wales, which is well worth a short diversion. Further south, past Llyn Brianne reservoir, is the RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas reserve.
 
The mountain road from Aberystwyth to Rhayader crosses the spine of the spectacular Cambrian Mountains. 
 
Head out of Aberystwyth on the A4120 to Devil’s Bridge, follow the B4574 to Cwmystwyth, then pick up the tremendous mountain road that soars through the mountains, past the northernmost of the Elan Valley reservoirs before eventually dropping down into Rhayader.
 
On the way, drivers can check out the university town of Aberystwyth, take a steam train journey up to Devil’s Bridge on the Vale of Rheidol Railway and explore the Devil’s Bridge Falls.
 
There are also the Elan Valley reservoirs, conceived by Victorians to supply water to the industrial English Midlands and now a tranquil paradise for walkers and wildlife. Be sure to check out the valley for stars on a clear night, as it’s a Dark Sky reserve.
 
Other scenic routes to explore include the mountain road from Llanidloes to Machynlleth, via Clywedog Reservoir. The views are wonderful and take in the former lead mining community of Dylife and the Dylife Gorge and Wynford Vaughan-Thomas viewing points which afford panoramic views over the surrounding area.
 
The breathtaking routes continue with the Bwlch y Groes Pass, a route that lies on minor roads linking Dinas Mawddwy, Llanuwchllyn and Lake Vyrnwy,  with views across the Dyfi Valley and Cadair Idris.

This is part of the pilgrim's route from North West Wales to St David's in South Wales. A cross, which can be found just below the summit at the junction of the roads from Vyrnwy and from Dinas Mawddwy, was placed on the route as a symbol of faith and strength comforting travellers since medieval times.

Bwlch y Groes was used between and after the wars by the Austin Motor Company and the Standard Triumph Motor Company to test prototype cars and their performance during hillclimbing.
Picture
Picture
Another must is the route that takes drivers along A487 from Machynlleth via Corris towards Dolgellau and before turning off on the B4405 to Tywyn via the picturesque Talyllyn lake at the foot of Cadair Idris mountain.
 
In the seaside resort of Tywyn, you can swap your car, motorhome, motorbike or bicycle for a different form of transport – Talyllyn Railway, the world’s first preserved railway.
 
For those drivers who enjoy sea views, try out the coastal route from Portmeirion in the north to Cardigan in the south west of Mid Wales.
 
Portmeirion is a magical place, an exquisite Italianate village designed by Clough Williams-Ellis tucked neatly into a headland overlooking the River Dwyryd. The village was the surreal location for cult 1960s TV series The Prisoner and it’s a hugely popular day-trip.
 
On the journey south along the A496, check out Harlech Castle, a World Heritage Site, which was built in the late 1200s and now looks slightly marooned on its rocky plinth. A new bridge has made access easy and connected the castle with a new visitor centre that has five luxury apartments for hire.
 
The famous song ‘Men of Harlech’ commemorates an epic siege in the 1460s, when the castle held out for seven years, the longest siege in British history.
 
Barmouth was a hard-working, ship-building, slate-exporting port until 19th century tourists took a shine to its mountains-meet-sea charms. Nowadays it’s Southern Snowdonia’s most popular resort, with big beaches and splendid views up the Mawddach Estuary.
 
Take the toll bridge across the estuary at Penmaenpool to join up with the A493 coastal route and be sure to also check out Aberdyfi, a small seaside village in southern Snowdonia. where the River Dyfi meets the green-blue waters of Cardigan Bay.
 
Aberdyfi is the subject of a popular Welsh folk song, ‘Clychau Aberdyfi’ or ‘The Bells of Aberdyfi’, which refers to the legend of Cantre’r Gwaelod, a submerged kingdom beneath Cardigan Bay.
 
Drive inland to the ancient capital of Wales at Machynlleth to crossing the River Dyfi before continuing on the A487 to Aberystwyth, a pier-and-prom Georgian/Victorian resort, is well worth a visit.
 
There’s lots to see and do in the town, including the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway up Constitution Hill, the priceless treasures of the National Library of Wales and the Ceredigion Museum.
 
Next stop driving south is the busy little town of Aberaeron, which has a fine set of colourful Regency buildings along its harbour.

This stretch of the Welsh coastline is incredibly rich in wildlife, with Britain’s biggest pod of dolphins spending the summer in Cardigan Bay, centred around New Quay, once an important fishing and shipbuilding town that is now a popular holiday resort.
 
Our journey ends in Cardigan, an old fishing port with impeccable Welsh roots. In 1176, the first eisteddfod was held in Cardigan Castle and there’s still a traditional Welsh feel to the town.
 
View the scenic drives https://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/scenicdrives or watch a YouTube video about driving in the Cambrian Mountains at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CZMxKZ_ZrU .
 
Picture captions:
 
The spectacular Aberystwyth to Rhayader route through the Cambrian Mountains.
 
The Abergwesyn Pass on the route from Llanwrtyd Wells to Tregaron.
© Crown copyright (2021) Cymru Wales
 
The Llanidloes to Machynlleth scenic drive at Dylife.
© Crown copyright (2021) Cymru Wales
 
The Talyllyn Pass and lake.
Image: Barbara Fuller
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 April 2020 March 2020 November 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 January 2018 November 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017

    Categories

    All Coronavirus (COVID 19) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Events Industry News/Changes Marketing Member 2 Member MWT Meeting MWT Members MWT Membership Benefit MWT Project MWT Representation MWT Suppliers #RealCeredigion #RealMidWales Scam Warning Technology Visit Britain Visit Wales Wales Tourism Alliance

    RSS Feed

Find out More
Join Now
Call Now

MWT Cymru
The Station
Machynlleth
​SY20 8TG

Tel: 01654 702653
​Email: [email protected]


Company Number: 2612356





​

Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy | Membership Terms & Conditions

Contact Us.

Press enquiries: [email protected] 
>> See our Media & Press page here

​MWT Membership Helpline 01654 702653

Opening Hours:

Monday - Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4.30pm

Closed Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays


Industry: @mwtcymru.co.uk | 
www.facebook.com/mwtcymru
​
Visitor: @visitmidwales | 
@showmewales 
| 
​
www.facebook.com/visitmidwales
​www.instagram.com/visitmidwales

Picture
MWT Cymru works closely with Visit Wales, the tourism team of Welsh Government.

​>> Top tips for working with Visit Wales


Picture
MWT Cymru are proud members of the Wales Tourism Alliance.

           >> Find out more about The WTA 

MWT Cymru
The Station | Machynlleth | Powys
01654 702653
Privacy Policy | Contact Us
©MWTCymru 2016 all rights reserved 
Company Registration Number: 2612356
 VAT Registration Number: 549824502
  • Home
    • About Us
      • Our Members
      • Our Partners
      • Visit Wales
  • Why Join?
    • Mid Wales Businesses
      • Mid Wales Accommodation
      • Mid Wales Attraction, Activity & Event Membership
      • Mid Wales Restaurant & Retail
    • North Wales Businesses
    • South Wales Businesses
      • South Wales Accommodation
      • South Wales Attraction & Activity Membership
      • South Wales Restaurant & Retail
    • Community Tourism Groups
    • National & Commercial
    • Supplier Membership
    • Representation
    • Membership Fees
    • FAQ's
    • Testimonials
  • IMI Wales
  • Marketing
    • Visit Mid Wales
    • The Importance of Destination Marketing
    • Bedroom Browser Advertising 2026/27
    • Mid Wales Visitor Guide Advertising 2025/26
    • TXGB
  • Resource Hub
    • 1. MEMBERS AREA
      • Information & Support
        • GDPR
        • TV and Copyright Licences
        • Setting up Google My Business
        • Book keeping & Payroll
        • Business Review
      • Press & PR Support
        • Mid Wales Media Hub
      • Member to Member
        • Menu Request
        • Brochure Request
        • Attractions & Activities Pass
        • FREE Browsers / Maps
      • Suppliers
    • Image Gallery
    • Trade Events
    • Press Releases
    • Current Projects
    • Suppliers
  • Contact
Members Area
Join Now