Llanidloes

A Victorian clock tower watches over the market square like a sentinel from another age. Llanidloes sits snugly in the Severn Valley, where Wales begins to roll into proper hill country - all green folds and rushing streams that make you forget the modern world exists.

The town's timber-framed market hall dates back centuries and still anchors the centre, though most visitors use Llanidloes as their jumping-off point for the surrounding peaks rather than lingering for the shopping. Fair enough, really. The real draw here is what lies beyond: Garth Hill looms to the southeast, while Dinas and Bryn-Y-Fan offer cracking walks for those who don't mind a bit of a slog uphill.

Water Wheel Pit tells the story of the area's industrial past - lead mining once thrived here, though now sheep outnumber miners by several thousand to one. Llyn y Fan provides a proper Welsh tarn experience, all dark water and brooding skies when the weather turns.

Getting here means driving. The nearest train station is probably Caersws, about 12 miles southeast, but honestly you'll want a car for exploring the peaks anyway. From Shrewsbury it's a lovely drive through increasingly wild countryside.

Staying at one of the nearby parks like Red Kite Touring Park or Clywedog Riverside makes perfect sense if you're planning to tackle multiple peaks. Pen Y Banc, Cefn Penarth, and Waun Y Gadair all beckon from different directions, and you'll appreciate having a proper base rather than racing back to distant accommodation after a day on the hills. The countryside here rewards slow exploration - rushing defeats the point entirely.