St Mary's Church Gladestry

The church sits quietly on a rise above Gladestry village, a small stone building that's been watching over this corner of Powys for centuries. Walk through the lychgate and you're into proper Welsh countryside - the kind where you can hear sheep and little else.

Inside, it's all exposed stone and worn flagstones, with a modest nave that speaks more through silence than decoration. The church dates back to medieval times, though what you see now is largely Victorian restoration. There's something rather moving about a place this small having survived so long without fuss or fanfare.

This isn't a showstopper attraction - be honest, you'll spend twenty minutes here, half an hour if you're taking photos. But if you're touring the quieter parts of Mid Wales around Presteigne, it's absolutely worth the detour. The surrounding countryside is lovely for walking, and the village itself is the kind of place where time moves differently.

It works well as part of a broader Powys holiday, especially if you're staying at Presteigne Holiday Park or one of the nearby glamping spots. Pair it with walks along the Wye valley or visits to larger market towns - St Mary's works best as a slow discovery rather than a planned stop. There's no admission fee that we can find, and no set hours to worry about, though the building may occasionally be locked. Spring and autumn are best - you'll have the light without summer crowds, though honestly, crowds aren't an issue here.