Llanidloes Cottages with Hot Tubs

Get More From Your Llanidloes Hot Tub Cottage Break

Sightseeing

Llanidloes packs a punch for a small town. The timber-framed Old Market Hall (1612) stands proudly in the centre - it's free to view and worth a photo. The town's museum (4/5 TripAdvisor) on Great Oak Street houses local artifacts and tells the story of the Chartist uprising - open Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am-4pm, Saturdays 10am-1pm.

Llyn Clywedog Reservoir (SY18 6NN, 4.5/5 TripAdvisor) sits just 5 miles northwest of town. The dam itself is impressive at 72m high and the views across the water are fantastic. The circular walk takes about 3 hours and I'd rate it medium difficulty - wear proper boots!

Hafren Forest (SY18 6NN, 4/5 TripAdvisor) offers multiple walking routes including the source of the River Severn. The car park (£3 all day) has toilets and picnic areas. We recommend the 3-mile Cascades walk to see the waterfalls - even better after rainfall.

For rainy days, St Idloes Church has stunning hammer-beam roof timbers salvaged from Abbey Cwmhir during the dissolution of the monasteries. It's open daily 9am-5pm and entry is free (donations welcome).

Pet Friendly

Dogs will love a Llanidloes holiday! The Hafren Forest has miles of paths where they can run off-lead in many areas. The riverside walk in town is perfect for morning and evening strolls - it starts behind the main car park and follows the Severn for about a mile.

Most pubs welcome dogs, including The Trewythen Hotel on High Street which offers water bowls and treats. The Red Lion (4.5/5 TripAdvisor) has a dog-friendly beer garden and allows pets in the bar area but not the restaurant section.

For supplies, Woosnam & Davies (SY18 6BN) is a traditional pet-friendly hardware store that stocks emergency dog food and basic supplies. The town's vet practice is on China Street (SY18 6AB) - worth noting their number (01686 412113) just in case.

After muddy walks, many cottages provide outdoor taps for cleaning paws before jumping in the hot tub yourself!

Top 3 attractions you have to see in Llanidloes

The Clywedog Dam and Reservoir is my top pick. This massive concrete dam stands 72m tall and holds back 50,000 million litres of water. The viewpoint at the top offers panoramic views across the water and mountains. There's a small exhibition centre (open weekends April-September, 11am-4pm) explaining the dam's construction and the valley's flooding. Visitors call it "breathtaking" and "worth the drive" on TripAdvisor.

The Old Market Hall sits at the crossroads in town centre. This black and white timber-framed building from 1612 is the only surviving example of its type in Wales. The ground floor was originally open with markets held beneath, while the upper floor served as a meeting room. It's now home to a small exhibition space with rotating displays. One recent visitor wrote: "Fascinating building with so much history - the heart of this lovely town."

The Source of the River Severn walk starts from Hafren Forest car park. The 8-mile round trip takes you to the actual spring where Britain's longest river begins. It's well-marked but can be boggy in places. The satisfaction of reaching the source (marked by a wooden post) is worth the effort. A TripAdvisor reviewer noted: "Magical to see such a mighty river start as a trickle - wear good boots and take a picnic!"

Is Llanidloes good for shopping?

Yes, but think independent rather than high street chains. Great Oak Street and Long Bridge Street have antique shops, craft stores and galleries. The weekly market (Saturdays) sells local produce and The Great Oak Bookshop is excellent for holiday reading. Don't miss Spencer's Bakery for Welsh cakes!

Where's the best place to eat in Llanidloes?

The Old Mill (SY18 6BW, 4.5/5 TripAdvisor) serves excellent locally-sourced food in a converted mill building. For pub grub, The Angel (SY18 6BN) offers hearty portions and good beer. Vegetarians love The Granary Café on Great Oak Street for its homemade soups and cakes.

Can I get around without a car?

It's challenging but possible. The T12 bus connects to Newtown (for train station) hourly Monday-Saturday. Local taxis are available but book ahead. Most attractions require transport, so a car makes things much easier. Many cottages have parking for 2+ cars.

What's the best time to visit?

May-September offers the best weather for enjoying your hot tub. The Llanidloes Fancy Dress Festival (late April) and Llanidloes Victorian Festival (November) are highlights. October brings stunning autumn colours to Hafren Forest.

Is there anywhere to swim besides my hot tub?

Llanidloes has a small community pool on Newtown Road (SY18 6LP) open weekdays 7am-9pm, weekends 9am-4pm. For wild swimming, locals use the River Severn at Glan-yr-afon bridge (2 miles east) but be extremely careful of currents.

What's mobile reception like?

Patchy! O2 and EE have reasonable coverage in town but expect dead spots in valleys. Most cottages offer WiFi, but it's worth downloading maps and information before arriving in more remote properties.

1. Visit Mid Wales - Llanidloes Information
2. Natural Resources Wales - Hafren Forest Guide
3. Llanidloes Community Website