Llanwrtyd Wells is a small town in Powys Mid Wales ...indeed it claims to be the smallest town in Britain! If travelling from Mid Wales to Carmarthenshire in the west of Wales Llanwrtyd is to be found on the A483, between the towns of Builth Wells and Llandovery. Once a popular spa resort the spruce little town is again popular with tourists, holding several festivals and events throughout the year.

Walks, Cycle Trails and Other Activities

Llanwrtyd Wells is ideal as a base for hill walking, mountain biking, pony trekking, bird watching, and is often in the national news for more bizarre activities including the world bog snorkelling championships, the man versus the horse race, and an annual beer drinking festival. I can't confirm that the town holds the record for being the smallest town in Britain but it surely holds the record for the largest number of festivals per head of population!

Geographically Llanwrtyd sits alongside the River Irfon with the hills of Mynydd Eppynt to the south east and the rugged uplands of the Cambrian Mountains to the north. To the north west are Llyn Brianne and the Upper Towy valley. Llyn Brianne has been popular with extreme sport enthusiasts since its association with mountain biking trails, but in 2008 the 300ft tall Llyn Brianne Dam achieved fame, or notoriety, when a video of kayakers hurling themselves down the spillway at speeds of 40mph was posted on Youtube!

Facilities for mountain bikers in Llanwrtyd Wells include the Mynydd Trawsnant Trail, the Irfon Forest Trail, and the Esgair Dafydd Trail, while facilities for bog snorkelers include deep channels of muddy water in wet boggy fields. They love it!

Accommodation and Services

Although Llanwrtyd may have a population of some 600, it can not be said to lack facilities for visitors with accommodation available ranging from self catering in holiday cottages to tourist board graded hotels and bed and breakfast establishments ... with all options available to be booked online here at the www.walesdirectory.co.uk!