Places To Visit

There are several narrow gauge railways in this part of Wales including Tal-Y-Llyn, the Fairbourne, Welshpool and Llanfair, Ffestiniog, Llangollen and the Snowdon Mountain Railway.

Powys Castle and grounds at Welshpool, together with the historic castle at Harlech, provides a mixture of culture and local history.

Devils Bridge Falls is a world famous tourist attraction 12 miles from Aberystwyth. These unique waterfalls have attracted many thousands of visitors since the 18th century, including William Wordsworth who wrote about the "Torrent at the Devil's Bridge". Today, the Falls Nature Trail provides a unique opportunity to see this great natural feature in the Rheidol Gorge.

Kids will love King Arthur's Labyrinth, or the Corris Craft Centre which has ten Craft workshops packed with unique hand crafted items for your home, garden and gifts for others. Both are located near Machynlleth.

For those that prefer the coast, Portmeirion (the setting for the 1960's TV series The Prisoner) Porthmadog, Aberdovey and Aberystwyth are all within a leisurely drive from Pennant.

The ancient Capital of Wales, Machynlleth and the mid Wales market towns of Llanidloes and Newtown are nearby. We are sure you will find plenty to see and do when you are in this part of Wales; it is widely rich in mythic tales of long ago and steeped in history in nearly every town.

Around the Pennant area some towns hold markets on most days, I have a list of some of them and the time they start and finish. Markets can be livestock or all things.

Interested in alternative energy? Centre for Alternative Energy (CAT) is open seven days a week. Interactive displays show global issues such as energy generation and transport, and practical, everyday solutions for everyone. www.cat.org.uk

Cycling

There are numerous quiet country roads to be explored in the area, and the Sustrans National Cycle Routes nbr 8 & 81 pass nearby.

For those who do not like hills, there are some flattish routes at Elan Valley, Lake Vyrnwy and Dolgellau.

For those that prefer mountain biking there are numerous forestry tracks close to Pennant, there are also marked trails at Machynleth, (Cl-Machx ), Elan Valley & Rhayader.

A short drive from Pennant there are two mountain bike courses that are going to be used as official training circuits for the 2012 Olympics at Coed Y Brenin (near Dolgellau) and Nant Yr Arian (near Aberystwyth). Bikes are available for hire at Machynleth and Rhayader.

Forest Free Ride offer mountain bike guided rides and skills training. Take advantage of their local knowledge and get to ride the best trails in the Cambrian Mountains. Experience the true wilderness of the area, without getting lost! All abilities catered for.

Other Cycling Links
www.dyfimountainbiking.org.uk
http://www.sustrans.org.uk
http://www.mtb-wales.com

Walking

For walkers there are numerous public footpaths and open access areas, right from the doorstep of The Old School House, so there is no need to take your car once you are at Pennant. Nearby are numerous marked trails including Glyndwrs Way, Source of the Severn and Wye Valley walks, both the River Severn and River Wye have their sources on the Plymlimon Hills. Other waymarked walks can be found at Hafren Forest, Elan Valley
and Nant Yr Arian near Aberystwyth.

For those who want to navigate for themselves Snowdonia National Park, including Cadair Idris and the Cambrian Mountains are a short drive away.

Motocross and Rally

For motocross and rally enthusiasts Pennant is only 4 miles from Hafren Forest and near to the Sweet Lamb Rally Complex where numerous events take place throughout the year.

Bird Watching

There are several RSPB reserves in mid and north Wales. The magnificent Red Kites, together with Buzzards, Herons and Woodpeckers, can regularly be seen flying near to Pennant.

For those wanting to see the Red Kites up closer, they are fed daily at Nant Yr Arian near to Aberystwyth, and at Gigrin Farm at Rhayader.

Rafting, Quad Biking and Fishing

The National White Water Rafting Centre at Bala is less than an hour's drive away, here you can take part in white water rafting and kayaking.

Quad Biking is also available near Machynlleth

For those that enjoy fishing, the nearby Lyn Clywedog Reservoir offers boat and Fly Fishing (permits required).