On the occasional day when its raining too hard to enjoy the usual outdoor pleasures of mid-Wales, there is still plenty to do. You could just spend all day eating & drinking in the many brilliant cafes, pubs & restaurants – but if you want to be a bit more adventurous than that, here are some suggestions. And of course it doesn’t have to be raining to enjoy any of these attractions/activities:
1. GO DOWN A MINE
Reflecting the rich history of mining in the area, you could actually visit 3 different types of mine in one day – slate, silver & gold.
a) Corris Mine Explorers (nr. Machynlleth) – experience an old slate mine first-hand www.corrismineexplorers.co.uk
b) Silver Mountain Experience (nr Aberystwyth) – take a tour of an old silver mine www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk
c) Dolaucothi Gold Mine (nr. Lampeter) – underground tours of an old gold mine www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dolaucothi-gold-mines
2. VISIT A MUSEUM
There are many opportunities for delving into Welsh heritage and culture through the ages.
a) Ceredigion Museum (Aberystwyth) – excellent little museum of Welsh life housed in a beautiful Edwardian theatre www.ceredigionmuseum.wales
b) National Library of Wales (Aberystwyth) – housed in an impressive building above “Aber”, the national library puts on exhibitions and art displays as well as specializing in providing material for tracing your Welsh family/property history https://www.library.wales/
c) National Cycle Museum (Llandrindod Wells) – a quirky little museum with an extraordinary number of bicycles (from the oldest to the newest) very well presented http://www.cyclemuseum.org.uk/
d) National Wool Museum (nr. Newcastle Emlyn) – learn about the history of the woollen industry in Wales with demonstrations on original machinery https://museum.wales/wool/
3. VISIT A STATELY HOME
Experience life for the landed gentry in mid-Wales in the past. You can visit 3 well-preserved stately homes in the area – the first is owned by the National Trust and the other two are converted into country hotels, where you can enjoy a meal or a decadent afternoon tea and appreciate the architecture and ambiance.
a) Llanerchaeron (nr. Aberaeron) – an elegant Georgian villa set in the wooded Aeron valley, fully furnished – where you can see how the owners and their staff lived & worked https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/llanerchaeron
b) Nanteos Mansion (nr. Aberystwyth) – a magnificent Georgian mansion now converted into a hotel, retaining all the architectural features. The afternoon teas are highly recommended http://www.nanteos.com
c) The Falcondale (nr. Lampeter) – an Italian-style villa in extensive grounds – now a hotel. Enjoy lunch or tea on the covered veranda https://www.thefalcondale.co.uk/
4. VISIT A CASTLE
Mid-Wales is not over-endowed with castles compared to north and south Wales, but there are a couple worth a visit.
a) Cardigan Castle (Cardigan) – an 11th century castle in the heart of Cardigan, recently restored https://www.cardigancastle.com/
b) Powys Castle (Welshpool) – a magnificent medieval castle in extensive grounds https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle-and-garden
5. SHOP FOR WELSH ART & CRAFTS
You’ll definitely want to take home some distinctly Welsh art and/or crafts from your trip, and there are several places where you can browse a large selection of good quality products.
a) Rhiannon (Tregaron) – http://www.rhiannon.co.uk/
b) Pennau Crafts (Bow Street, nr. Borth) – http://www.craftshopwales.co.uk/
c) Corris Craft Centre (nr. Machynlleth) – 9 craft studios https://www.corriscraftcentre.co.uk/
d) Pendre Art Gallery (Cardigan)
6. RIDE A STEAM TRAIN
Two steam railways which were built to transport slate to the coast have been restored and now carry tourists. They are probably better on a sunny day for the views, but its something fun to do in the rain to keep dry.
a) Vale of Rheidol (Aberystwyth) – runs between Aberystwyth and Devil’s Bridge https://www.rheidolrailway.co.uk/
b) Tal-y-Llyn (nr. Aberdovey/Aberdyfi) – runs inland from Twywn Wharf https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/
7. SEE LOCAL PRODUCTS BEING MADE
The making of traditional local products like wool and cheese can be viewed, and a new addition is gin tasting.
a) Teifi Cheese (nr. Llandysul) – watch the cheese-making process http://www.teificheese.co.uk/
b) Curlew Weavers Woollen Mill (nr. Llandysul) – working woollen mill and large shop selling woollen products
c) Dyfi Distillery (nr. Machynlleth) – situated in Corris Craft Centre – Distillery tours and gin tasting https://www.dyfidistillery.com/
8. BROWSE ANTIQUES
Its always worth browsing through local antique shops when you’re on holiday – you never know what you might find. These are large centres where you can spend a fair amount of time.
a) Trecastle Antique Centre (between Llandovery & Brecon)
b) Emlyn Antiques Centre (Newcastle Emlyn)
9. GO TO A MATINEE
There are very good cinema and theatre complexes in Aberystwyth and Cardigan.
a) Aberystwyth Arts Centre (Aberystwyth) – https://www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/
b) Mwldan Theatre (Cardigan) – https://www.mwldan.co.uk/
c) …or stay in and watch past episodes of Hinterland, the “noir” detective series which was filmed in locations around mid-Wales!
10. VISIT AN INDOOR GARDEN
The National Botanic Gardens of Wales (nr. Carmarthen) has the largest dome greenhouse in the world (covering 3,500 sq. meters) containing a huge collection of Mediterranean and Southern Hemisphere plants https://botanicgarden.wales/