Welshpool is a picturesque market town in Powys, Wales, situated in the Severn Valley and only four miles from the border with England. The town’s buildings are mostly Georgian, but some are considerably older, going back to Tudor times and beyond. The town makes a great base from which to explore the spectacular countryside around it, and provides an opportunity to learn about the historical and cultural significance of the long-contested, and once heavily fortified, border between England and Wales.
Sport in Welshpool
Like most Welsh towns, Welshpool has its own rugby union club, Welshpool RFC, who play at the Maes y Dre recreation ground. They share the ground with the local soccer team, Welshpool Town FC. The town is also home to Welshpool & District Ladies Hockey Club and Welshpool Cricket Club, and has an excellent golf course at Welshpool Golf Club, with several other courses nearby.
Shopping in Welshpool
Welshpool has an eclectic mix of shops, with a wide variety of independent traders nestling in the quaint passages and busy streets of the attractive town centre, as well as a handful of high street chain stores.
As a traditional market town, Welshpool boasts a number of markets, including an indoor market at the town hall that is open from Mondays to Saturdays, with many stalls selling a broad range of products, a street market in Broad Street on Mondays, a farmers’ market at Coed-y-Dinas held on the first Saturday of each month and a livestock market held each Monday.
Eating and Drinking in Welshpool
There are plenty of restaurants, pubs, cafes and takeaways in Welshpool, offering a wide range of food and drink, from traditional Welsh and British fare to international cuisine from all over the world. There are also a number of charming country pubs and restaurants in the countryside surrounding Welshpool.
Places to Visit In and Around Welshpool
Perhaps Welshpool’s greatest treasure, Powis Castle lies less than a mile from the town centre and is in the care of the National Trust. This stunning medieval castle has an incredibly rich history dating back to around 1200 and is perched on a rock high above its world-renowned garden terraces. The castle contains one of the foremost collections of art and furniture in Wales, including a surprising collection of Indian treasures in the Clive Museum.
The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway is a narrow gauge heritage steam railway that runs between Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion. The line was built in 1903 but finally closed in 1956, until a group of enthusiasts first reopened the line in 1963 and began to develop it into what it is today - a fascinating glimpse into the golden age of steam trains, offering a relaxing journey through beautiful countryside.
You can learn about the rich cultural heritage of Welshpool at the Powysland Museum, which features artefacts from throughout the region’s history, from the time the first neolithic farmers settled in the area to the present day.
