Powys

Powys is a landlocked county of hills, market towns and river valleys, and its settlements reflect that quiet, inland character. Hay-on-Wye, on the Welsh border, is known for its bookshops and festival crowds, while Brecon serves as a good base for the Brecon Beacons and has a lively market town feel. Crickhowell and Builth Wells offer smaller-scale charm, the latter well known for its agricultural show, and Presteigne to the east is peaceful and largely untouched by tourism.

Further north, Machynlleth and Llanidloes sit closer to the Cambrian Mountains and suit those wanting walking country and slower days, while Newtown and Welshpool are more workaday towns with useful shops and transport links. Caersws makes a convenient stop along the Severn valley, and the villages of Penycae and Penybontfawr are smaller still, better suited to travellers seeking rural quiet over busy attractions.

Powys covers a lot of ground, and its hotels and B&Bs reflect that spread. Brecon makes a natural base for exploring the Beacons, with a good cluster of guest houses and small hotels within walking distance of the town centre, while Hay-on-Wye's bookshop trade supports a run of characterful B&Bs suited to a quieter weekend break.

Further west, Builth Wells and Crickhowell offer their own smaller selections, often farmhouse conversions or period townhouses like College Farm B and B or Llangattock Park House, useful if you want to be near the Wye or the eastern hills rather than the market towns. Machynlleth and Glasbury sit at opposite edges of the county, handy for those splitting a trip between the coast and mid-Wales.

Styles vary widely, from the grandeur of Glandyfi Castle to simpler, homely stays such as Beaconsview B&B or Camden Lodge. Deciding where to stay usually comes down to which part of Powys you plan to explore rather than any shortage of choice.

Powys covers a large stretch of mid Wales, and its attractions reflect that scale: wide open country for walking and riding, plus a scatter of quirky, small-scale outings in the market towns. Around Rhayader, Gigrin Farm's red kite feeding sits alongside outdoor pursuits like Celtic Canoes, while Corris, near Machynlleth, has built a small cluster of underground adventures in Corris Mine Explorers and Corris Caverns.

Elsewhere the appeal is more varied. Llandrindod Wells and Presteigne offer glimpses into local history at places such as The Judges Lodging, Welshpool and Llanfyllin suit those wanting a slower day out, and Caersws makes a good base for tackling the Glyndwr's Way National Trail. Families and groups looking for something more active can try the Heart of Wales Riding School near Builth Wells or an escape room challenge in town.

Because distances between towns can be considerable, it's worth grouping a visit around one base - Brecon, Builth Wells or Machynlleth all work well - rather than trying to cover the whole county in a single trip.

Powys covers a vast stretch of mid Wales, so its eating and drinking spots are spread thinly across market towns, valleys and hillsides rather than clustered in one obvious centre. Brecon and Newtown offer the widest choice, from proper coffee stops like Latte-Da Coffee & Kitchen to café favourites such as The Tabernacle Coffee Shop, while smaller settlements make do with a single well-loved pub or farm café.

Further out, places like Nant Helyg Farm and Dwy Mynydd reflect the county's rural character, and even a stop such as ESS Compass Services shows how varied the listings can be, from motorway services to National Trust tearooms at Powis Castle. Tastes run from Welsh classics to Chang Thai Diner's Thai plates or Tacos Amigos UK's Mexican fare.

With distances between towns often considerable, it is worth deciding whether you want a destination meal in Brecon or Newtown, or a casual stop en route through Glynneath and the surrounding villages.

Powys covers a lot of ground, and its campsites and glamping spots follow the landscape: riverside pitches along the Wye near Builth Wells, hill farm settings around Machynlleth and Llanbrynmair, and quieter spots near Llanrhaeadr and Glynneath for those keen to avoid the busier Brecon Beacons approaches. With over 300 sites listed, options range from simple wild camping pitches, such as those found along the Wye Valley, to fitted-out huts and yurts.

Glamping has taken hold strongly here, with wooden pods, safari-style tents and shepherd's huts turning up at places like Wild Valley Huts, Kite Hill Yurts and Pant Y Crasty Holiday Pods, often on working farms where you can expect a peaceful, low-key stay rather than a resort feel. Sites near Welshpool and Newtown suit those wanting easy access to the border towns, while ones closer to Brecon put the National Park on your doorstep.

Facilities vary considerably between a basic field with a tap and a fully equipped cabin with its own hot tub, so it's worth checking what's included before booking. Names like Gwalia Farm, Dingles Glamping and Touch the Clouds Glamping give a sense of the variety on offer, from family-friendly bases to more secluded couples' retreats.

Powys is Wales's largest county, and self-catering cottages here range from stone farmhouses in the Brecon Beacons to timber lodges tucked into the hills near the Cambrian Mountains. Properties like Ty Glyndwr, Cwmberwyn and Penshenkin Barn suit those wanting a proper base for walking or exploring at their own pace, with kitchens and living space rather than a single hotel room.

Choice often comes down to setting: Sunny Beacons Cottages and similar places near the national park work well for hillwalking and stargazing, while cabins and lodges such as Cerniog Cabin or Mid Wales Lodges' Lime Lodge suit couples or small groups after somewhere quieter and more remote. Larger converted barns and houses in the hills give families or gatherings room to spread out, and with the county's towns spaced well apart, it is worth picking a cottage close to whichever valley or market town you plan to spend most time around.