A large amount of Powys is mountainous, being home to the Brecon Beacons. The majority of the remainder of the county is made up of lots of small towns and villages, with Brecon itself being one of the largest towns.
Parts of the county have historically been associated with the mining industry, although this has significantly diminished in recent decades. Today, the county is mostly known for its service, agriculture and manufacturing industries, as well as tourism.
Due to the mountainous terrain, some areas are served by a limited number of roads. However, good links are still available with breathtaking scenery as an added benefit. The railway network also connects many of the more populous towns such as Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells.
Notable locations & attractions
The Brecon Beacons National Park includes Wales’ highest mountain, Pen y Fan and the park itself stretches across a huge area. The area is a very popular tourist destination for walkers, cyclists, campers, cavers and rock climbers due to the vast array of terrain. A long-distance cycling route, the Taff Trail, winds its way through the Beacons from Brecon all the way to Cardiff in the south – a distance of some 100 miles.
Further to the north, Llandrindod Wells is the administrative headquarters of the county and also the venue for an increasingly popular drama festival.
Of course, the rural landscape would not be complete without a number of lakes, reservoirs and even waterfalls as well as renowned walking routes, including the Wye Valley walk, which stretches over 120 miles from Chepstow to Rhayader.
The county has a number of museums celebrating Welsh history, as well as the ruins of several centuries-old castles. The National Park is complimented by several surrounding areas of natural beauty, providing the perfect scenery for a quieter life.
