Llandrindod Wells

Train spotters will love that the Heart of Wales line still stops here, rumbling through some of Wales' most spectacular scenery. This Victorian spa town has kept its therapeutic swagger - wide, tree-lined streets speak of a time when well-heeled visitors came to take the waters. These days it's quieter, but that's exactly the point.

The Radnorshire Museum tells the story properly, housed in a beautiful old building that captures the town's heyday. Just down the road, the National Cycle Museum is a proper treat - vintage bikes that'll make you nostalgic for penny-farthings. Walking through the town centre feels like stepping back decades, with its elegant terraces and grand hotels still standing proud.

Powys countryside surrounds you completely. Rolling hills stretch in every direction, crossed by ancient drove roads that once carried Welsh cattle to English markets. The Bower provides lovely woodland walks when you need to stretch your legs, while Rhiw Gwraidd offers cracking views for those willing to make the climb.

Getting here couldn't be easier - the A483 runs straight through town, connecting you to Builth Wells in the south and Newtown to the north. That Heart of Wales railway line is genuinely one of Britain's most beautiful train journeys, though services are limited.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. You're central enough to explore mid-Wales properly - the Elan Valley reservoirs are a short drive west, while the market town of Builth Wells lies just 15 miles south. Celtic Woodland Holidays and Great House Farm both offer decent bases, though the area has plenty of camping options scattered through the surrounding valleys.