Local Attractions
Kilsby is 1.3 miles from the town of Llanwrtyd Wells yet set on its own overlooking the secluded Irfon valley – a wonderful place for walking, cycling, bird-watching, wild swimming and fishing straight from the house. The town has a population of ~660 people and hosts numerous national and international events throughout the year. It is 12-15 miles from the market towns of Builth Wells and Llandovery.
The Town
Llanwrtyd Wells is served by the Heart of Wales railway line and has 3 pubs, all of which serve food, a restaurant, a cafe and 2 food shops. The petrol station includes a general store, post office and banking facilities. There are also several historic churches, a doctors surgery, chemist and gift shop. The Llanwrtyd & District Heritage and Arts Centre provides tourist information, a permanent exhibition of local history and art gallery. It also hosts live classical, folk and contemporary music events. The Neuadd Arms Hotel is home to The Heart of Wales Brewery.
Walking
Llanwrtyd Wells is a walker’s paradise. Stay with us and you can walk from the doorstep and see spectacular views and a great variety of birds without ever needing to use your car. The 122 mile Heart of Wales Line Trail combines the fun of a train ride with a breath-taking walk. Regular guided walks are organised locally.
Kayaking
Canoeing on the River Wye is available a little further downstream at Glasbury about 40 minutes drive from Kilsby. For sea kayakers the stunning Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion coasts are within 90 minutes.
Fishing
Mid Wales provides excellent fishing. Grayling and Brown Trout on the Rivers Irfon and Wye, Sea-Trout and Salmon on the Towy, Brown Trout on the Elan Valley Lakes and a number of local stillwater Rainbow Trout fisheries are all particularly good.
We offer reduced rate wild trout fishing to our guests for £5 per day / £20 per week on the local upper Irfon beat within walking distance of the House as part of the Wye & Usk Foundation’s Passport scheme.
Excellent coarse fishing is available at Llyngwyn nr. Rhayader, Llyn Alarch at Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells Lake and on the River Wye at Builth Wells. The River Wye at Builth Wells can be fished on a reasonably-priced day permit – see the GPIAC club website for more detail.
Cycling
There are many miles of on and off-road routes, including part of Route 8 of the National Cycle Network. Come and try the exciting single-track trails in the nearby Trallwm Forest. Drover Holidays offer organised cycling breaks and bike hire in the locality.
Events
Llanwrtyd Wells famous for hosting the World Bog Snorkelling Championship, the epic Man Vs. Horse Race, the mid-Wales Beer Festival and a host of other events, many of which are organised by ‘Green Events’. We are in ideal horse riding country. Man v Horse in June attracts hundreds of runners who fancy their chances of beating a horse and rider over 23 gruelling miles of the Cambrian Mountains. In November the Real Ale Festival is combined with the Wobble and the Ramble, providing marshalled cycling and walking events for all skill levels.
Further afield
Kilsby is an ideal location for the annual Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in Builth Wells and it is only 50 minutes from Hay-on-Wye, its annual Book Festival and its wealth of individual bookshops, galleries, small restaurants, shops and cafes. There are 3 excellent 18-hole courses with very reasonable green fees at Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells and Cradoc all within 45 minutes driving time and set in breathtaking scenery. Tennis and swimming facilities are also available in Builth Wells and there are spa facilities at the Lake Country House a few miles away in neighbouring Llangamarch, including a 20m swimming pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub, tennis courts and gym. Wild swimming in the local rivers is an increasingly popular past-time. Ask us for more information on any activity.
