Llandinam

The slate roofs and white-painted cottages of this riverside village look deceptively sleepy from the A470, but Llandinam holds a surprising claim to fame - it was the birthplace of David Davies, the railway magnate who built Barry Docks and made Wales a coal export powerhouse. His legacy still looms large here.

St Llonio Church stands at the village heart, its medieval stones weathered by centuries of Severn Valley winds. The newer Llandinam Presbyterian Church reflects the area's nonconformist traditions. Both are worth a peek if you're into ecclesiastical architecture, though don't expect grand cathedrals - this is rural Wales at its most understated.

What really draws people here is the walking. The surrounding peaks - Allt-Y-Moch, Craig Y Paen, and Pegwyn Mawr among them - offer proper hill country rambles with views across the Severn Valley. None are Snowdon-scale challenges, but they'll get your heart pumping. Llandinam Gravels Nature Reserve provides gentler terrain for wildlife spotting.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the village sits right on the A470 between Newtown and Caersws, making it dead easy to reach from either direction. Newtown, about 7 miles south, is your nearest proper town for supplies and train connections.

Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around the area makes perfect sense for exploring mid-Wales. You're well-placed for day trips to the Brecon Beacons or the coast, while having this peaceful valley as your base. Red Kite Touring Park and Maesmawr Farm Resort are among the local options, though all lack reviews so far - you'd be venturing into uncharted territory.