OUT & ABOUT
We want every one of our guests to connect with the beauty of Mid Wales from the moment they arrive. That’s why we’re the perfect base for you to explore the stunning surrounding Welsh countryside. Whether you’re after a quick amble through the neighbouring hills or access to something more vigorous, our role at The Royston is to immerse you in the best Wales has to offer – so you’ll come back again and again to a guest house you’ll want to keep to yourself.
If you are planning to visit a specific venue while you’re here, please remember to check opening times before visiting.
There is so much to see and do throughout Mid & West Coast Wales – castles, historic houses and heritage attractions; wildlife and nature reserves; theatres and arts centres; adventure activities; walking; cycling; sport & leisure activities or just relax and explore the many market towns, National Parks, stunning Mid Wales coastline and our Mid Wales lakes and mountains.
NEARBY TOWNS
Machynlleth hosts a market every Wednesday, which has been going for 700 years. You’ll find a broad selection of independent shops, which makes a refreshing change from the typical high street chains found everywhere else.
Dolgellau is steeped in history and a great base to explore Snowdonia. Many of the prettiest walks are only a few minutes’ drive away including Torrent Walk & Precipice Walk.
Montgomery is a historic county town with a history that stretches back to Roman occupation. Visitors are charmed by the Georgian town square and market hall with the 13th century Montgomery Castle dominating the skyline. Located nearby is Monty’s Brewery & visitor centre.
Aberdyfi is a thriving little harbour resort set within the Snowdonia National Park, where the river Dyfi meets the blue waters of Cardigan Bay. It boasts some of the finest beaches in Britain with four miles of golden sand-dune backed shoreline running north to Tywyn.
Welshpool has much to offer the visitor from historic buildings such as Powis Castle to quaint shops and many eateries. From historic buildings to canal trips, you will find it here!
Llanidloes is the first town on the River Severn and the gateway to the Cambrian Mountains of Mid Wales. It has a variety of shops; whether you’re looking for vintage clothing, walking boots, old and new books, fair-trade food, or furniture; there’s something for everyone.
Portmeirion Village is home to a cluster of historic cottages, iconic architecture, a spa, stylish shops, award-winning restaurants, casual cafes, an Italian ice cream parlour, exotic gardens and sandy beaches.
ATTRACTIONS
Powis Castle is a medieval castle rising dramatically above the celebrated garden. Take a stroll round the garden and see the shapes of the topiary and intricately trained fruit trees and admire unparalleled view across the Severn Valley and Breidden Hills from the Top Terrace.
Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre sits at the head of a dramatic valley and has commanding views of Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains. It is well-known for its long established tradition of daily feeding of red kites, Wales’s National Bird of Prey. There is a range of trails for walkers, mountain bikers, and runners which are waymarked from the visitor centre.
Devil’s Bridge Falls is a world famous tourist attraction 12 miles from Aberystwyth. These unique waterfalls have attracted thousands of visitors since the 18th century. The Falls Nature Trail provides a unique opportunity to see this great natural feature in the Rheidol Gorge.
Sit back and zip away as you and your friends fly down Europe’s largest zipping zone! Take flight on 3 exhilarating zip lines and soak up the amazing quarry views during the experience of a lifetime.
Do you dare to try Caverns? Fly, climb and traverse your way through their unique underground course in a slate mine disused for the past 200 years; if you’re up to the challenge that is!
In 2011, for the first time in over 400 years Ospreys bred in the Dyfi valley on the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve site, which is the home of the Dyfi Osprey Project.The Visitor centre has four screens displaying live pictures from the resident Osprey nest. The 360 Observatory is the centrepiece of the Dyfi Osprey Project and provides superb bird viewing opportunities as well as 360° panoramic views of the Dyfi Valley.
MOMA WALES (Museum Of Modern Art, Wales) flourishes in seven beautiful galleries alongside The Tabernacle, a former Wesleyan chapel which opened as a centre for the performing arts in 1986. The Tabernacle was converted from a Wesleyan chapel into a centre for the performing arts.
Cambrian Safaris provide excursions deep into the Cambrian Mountains in a Land Rover Discovery. They provide flexible tours so you can experience spectacular landscapes, views, scenery, local history and wildlife, all at your own pace.
Forrest experience are a genuine Full Rally Test Stage set in 900 acres of Welsh Forest with 7 miles of twisting, turning, hilly forest roads!! There is no other rally venue open to the public quite like it. All of the driving is done in the Forest making use of our 2 mile forest loop and spectator bowl area where you get to grips with the car and various rally driving techniques such as handbrake turns and fast corner exit. If you stay for the full day you will also experience our longer forest rally stages with fresh challenges including hills and hairpins.
Walks start with an introductory talk, where you will meet the alpacas. Once everyone has made friends you’ll start a leisurely walk around the farm which has a variety of landscapes, from natural bog, ancient oak woodlands, and traditional grazing land. While on the walk you’ll meet with other farm animals, such as, free range pedigree pigs, pedigree Dexter cattle, Rheas, pheasants, ducks and various sheep breeds – all who are very friendly and love attention!
Spike qualified as a blacksmith in 2001 and has been teaching blacksmithing since 2004. She runs really fun courses from her studio which is only a 10 minute walk from The Royston. The courses last from half a day to a full week. The courses begins with an introduction of her workshop, after which you go straight into forging where you will learn fire management skills and start your first blacksmithing project. After making a few hooks and a poker, if you feel confident enough, you can proceed to working on a personal project (time dependant).
Dyfi Mountain Biking runs a community trail called Climach-X. It’s a 15km round trip, with 9km of built single track with compressions and whoops, rock slab drop offs and some beautiful flowing turns.
Go on a 2-wheeled journey through some of the most beautiful scenery in Wales. Rides are tailored for every ability, from novice riders and first-time off road trail riders, to epic multi day journeys across Wales for the seasoned rider.
As the UK’s first & largest dedicated mountain bike trail centre, Coed y Brenin has miles of exceptional tracks for experienced and expert riders and intermediate trails for all abilities.
Get swept by a boat through the magical veil of an underground waterfall into a mythical world filled with dragons, giants, fierce battles and the legendary King Arthur. Ancient legends from Wales unfold as you’re guided through the underground labyrinth by a hooded Dark Age Boatman.
Surf Snowdonia – a world-first inland surf lagoon and the only guaranteed surf break in the UK. In the heart of beautiful North Wales, Surf Snowdonia is set against a backdrop of the forests and mountains of Snowdonia.
A rare opportunity to adventure underground into the abandoned and forgotten world of the slate miner. Tucked away in the hillsides of Corris in Mid Wales you will feel the dark, damp mine workings come expert Guide shares its stories.
Over the past 30 years, Bettws Hall has developed a number of exclusive sporting estates across Mid Wales. They provide challenging game shooting in beautiful countryside, specialising in pheasant and partridge days that will never be forgotten.
This family-run Clay Pigeon Shooting Centre based a few miles from Newtown, is situated in over 300 acres of some of the finest and most beautiful countryside the Wales has to offer.
High above the Dovey Valley in Central Wales, 350 acres provide the ideal setting for an exhilarating shoot with a wide range of targets which simulate the birds in truly realistic conditions.
Andrew Cartwright Game Angling is situated in the upper river Severn valley at Caersws . Andrew been fly fishing for about 30 years and is passionate about trout and grayling fishing in the rivers of Wales. He has a passion for teaching both children and adults in all forms of fly casting, tying, game angling, spinning and bait casting.
Powys is a mountainous region and the largest county by land area in Mid Wales.
Fishing is predominantly for trout but coarse, carp, pike and salmon fishing is available. A number of commercial fisheries and reservoirs offer coarse fishing for carp, pike, perch, tench, bream, roach, rudd, chub and other silver fish. Depending on the time of year, most reservoirs, rivers, lakes and streams in Powys provide good sport for fly fishing anglers looking for wild brown trout, rainbow trout, grayling and salmon fishing in Wales.
Welcome to the wonderful world of wild mushroom hunting, conducted in the spectacular scenery of Mid Wales. Led by experienced guide, Daniel Butler, these breaks seek to de-mystify fungi: to guide the novice through the good, the bad and the ugly to the genuinely delicious.
Gets hands on with some birds of prey. Fly and handle Lakota, the bald eagle or Moggie the white faced owl. Tailor-made experiences for raptor lovers.
Kingfisher Kayak & Canoe hire is idyllically located. Kayaks & canoes can be hired from March to October, so you can take a leisurely self-guided paddle down the River Severn or along the Montgomery Canal.
Exciting scenic canal boat trips through some of the most beautiful Welsh countryside.
Machynlleth Golf Club is a much loved nine hole heathland golf course surrounded by wonderful mountain scenery. In spring and early summer, the course is at its best with colour from the gorse and rhododendrons and the occasional red kite circling overhead. The golf course is challenging, very enjoyable and provides a good test of golf for players of all levels.
A charming nine-hole course situated alongside the River Severn in the heart of Wales. The 6012-yard course is a challenging par 70 parkland style course conveniently situated between the A483 road and the River Severn on the outskirts of the Mid Wales market town of Newtown.
The course is nine holes in beautiful undulating parkland and the total length for eighteen holes is 5,510 yards. Par is 66. The nine holes are full of variety, the slopes and hidden greens require accuracy and course management to achieve a good score. The club has a wonderful friendly atmosphere, which is extended without reservation to visitors.
Situated in the stunning Elan Valley and taking different routes through the valleys, rivers and woodlands Lion Royal Pony Trekking Centre caters for all levels of riding ability from novice to advanced riders.
Newtown Tennis is a well-
NEARBY BEACHES
The popular award-winning beach of perfect sand and the occasional sand dune extends for miles, from Aberdyfi all the way to Tywyn. Aberdyfi was once a fully working port, but nowadays, the sailing craft concentrate on leisure and pleasure – Aberdyfi is a busy sailing and watersports centre, and scenic boat trips run from the harbour. Aberdyfi’s southern shore along the Dyfi Estuary is part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve. This untouched area, a haven for wildlife, is also a Ramsar site (named after the convention that encourages wise use of the world’s exceptional wetlands).
Ynyslas has three stunning miles of golden beach stretching from Borth in the south to the sand dunes in the north. It is a majestic spot for walking, picnics and windsurfing. Ynyslas is also the location of the iconic BBC kite flying ident often used to introduce the BBC News. Ynyslas sand dunes located slightly north of Borth and reaching onto the Dyfi Estuary is part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve and home to many rare plants and animals. Visitors are allowed to drive onto the sands and park near the visitor centre. A boardwalk through the dunes leads to the stunning beaches.
Barmouth is southern Snowdonia’s most popular seaside resort. The town’s beach, Abermaw, is west facing with a mixture of sand and some fine shingle and is ideal for bathing and watersports. There are some breathtaking views of Cardigan Bay and the picturesque harbour. The town can get busy, a land train runs along the promenade and there are traditional donkey rides, swing boats and amusement arcades, but the beach itself is vast and easily big enough to get away from it all. There are several delightful walks of varying distance which start in Barmouth and follow routes into the hills beyond.
LOCAL AREAS OF NATURAL BEAUTY
With wild landscapes and villages steeped in history, Snowdonia National Park is a breathtaking destination for activity holidays and days out with family and friends. It’s best known for hiking, but there’s plenty more to enjoy, from waterfalls, lakes and world-class mountain biking to a vintage steam railway that climbs the highest peak in Wales.
Elan Valley are custodians of a beautiful area stretching 72 square miles with historic landscapes and thriving wildlife. The dams and reservoirs add to the captivating and everchanging scenery. Stroll, picnic or hike; cycle or mountain bike; bird watch, fish or safari! We thorouly recommend a visit to the Elan Valley
Llyn Clywedog is a manmade reservoir formed by the construction of the Clywedog Dam between 1963-1967. There is a circular 15-mile drive around the lake and miles of footpaths along its banks. The lake is also home to a popular trout fishery, operated by the Llanidloes and District Angling Association
Glaslyn is Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’s biggest nature reserve, an integral part of the Cambrian Mountains. The large expanse of heather moorland, with its associated boggy areas, surround an exposed upland lake. Spectacular views can be enjoyed from the viewpoint
Coed y Brenin Forest Park covers an area of 9000 acres and is the home to an amazing array of plants, birds and animals. Which, along with the breathtaking scenery, you can view at various speeds using the designated running tracks, mountain bike trails or strolling along the nine wildlife trails.
It’s the very wetness of Llyn Mawr which makes it a special site for lovers of all things aquatic – particularly plants and birds. The lake has a rich variety of plant life, which is why it has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
There’s no point in working against such a strong force as the River Severn, so the Trust is working with the river, to create a harmonious balance of habitat erosion and creation. With meadows, areas of river shingle and margin plants, where invertebrates, birds, otters, dragonflies and damselflies thrive.
Just on the edge of The Snowdonia National Park, Lake Vyrnwy is set amidst the remote and beautiful Berwyn Mountains. Experience the visionary Sculpture Park or walk some of trails through the 24,000 acre RSPB Reserve. Other activities include boating, adventure activities, cycle hire, rough shooting, fly fishing and clay pigeon shooting. There are local craft shops to visit & places to eat. The very best are available too. There is plenty of free car parking.
WALKS
Torrent Walk is a circular path that follows the river Clywedog through its striking gorge, surrounded by highly attractive woodlands. It passes a series of waterfalls along a turbulent stretch of river as it travels to join the River Wnion in the valley below.
The Tal-y-Lyn Valley in Snowdonia National Park takes in a wooded gorge along the Nant Dol-goch stream, a tributary of the River Fathew. A series of three waterfalls tumble down the steep sides of the gorge into pools below, and a popular circular walk links all three waterfalls.The walk is short – about 1-mile round trip – and well signposted.
Precipice Walk is one of the most popular walks in southern Snowdonia, situated about three miles north of Dolgellau. The walk varies between 700-850 feet above sea level and offers panoramic views of the Mawddach River below and on towards the northern mountains.
Glyndŵr’s Way is an 135 mile (217 Km) long National Trail meandering through the open moorland, rolling farmland, woodland and forests of Mid Wales. You don’t have to walk the Trail in one go to enjoy the best it has to offer. You can enjoy is as a series of day walks. The Cemmaes Road to Llanbrynmair section (6.8 miles/10.8 Km) all but pass The Royston’s back door.
Tywyn and the surrounding area provide some of the best and most scenic walking routes within the Snowdonia National Park including being on the Welsh Coastal Path. If you are an experienced walker or just enjoy a stroll, combined with a trip on the railway it makes a wonderful day out.
Many of the prettiest walks are only a few minutes drive away from Dolgellau town centre. Walks include The Nannau deer park walk which takes you through the old Nannau Deer Park, past its north and south entrance lodges to the disused carriage driveway to Nannau & The New Precipice Walk with stunning views of the Mawddach Estuary 800 feet below. These are just 2 of the many walks in the area.
Hafren Forest was planted by the Forestry Commission in the 1930s and named after Afon Hafren (the Welsh name for the River Severn). The River Severn begins quietly in a squelchy peat bog on the slopes of Plynlimon, Mid Wales’ highest mountain. In no time at all it becomes a torrent with falls and cascades plunging headlong through the forest. There are 3 short walks through the woodland to the Severn Break its Neck waterfall, the Blaenhafren Falls and Cascade Falls. Hafren Forest is also the start (or end) point for two long distance walks – The Wye Valley Walk and The Severn Way.
CAR HIRE
M&I car hire – Local car hire firm who offer a pick up service from Caersws train station to collect your car. Caersws is a 20min drive from The Royston.
Easicar – Car hire firm offering a large selection of vehicles in Shrewsbury. They offer a meet & greet service from the train station. Shrewsbury is just over an hours drive from The Royston.
Thrifty – Car hire firm offering a large selection of vehicles in Shrewsbury. They offer a meet & greet service from the train station. Shrewsbury is just over an hours drive from The Royston.