Welshpool

Medieval stones still echo with the clatter of market traders in this Mid Wales border town that refuses to be rushed. Welshpool sits in the Severn Valley with a proper sense of its own importance - it's been the area's main market town for centuries and still feels like it.

Powis Castle and Garden dominates the skyline above town, its red sandstone walls and terraced gardens making most stately homes look rather modest by comparison. The castle's been home to the same family for 400 years, and their art collection includes works that'll make your jaw drop. Down in town, the Powysland Museum tells the story of this corner of Powys through everything from Roman finds to Victorian curiosities.

Canal Wharf marks where the Montgomery Canal once brought goods into the heart of town. These days it's a peaceful spot for a wander, though the waterway still draws narrow boat enthusiasts. The railway station connects to the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway - a proper steam line that puffs through some cracking countryside.

Memorial Gardens provide a quiet retreat when the market square gets busy, while Llyn Coed y Dinas Nature Reserve offers woodland walks just outside town. The reservoir's particularly lovely in autumn when the trees turn.

Getting here's straightforward enough - the A483 runs right past, and it's about 20 miles south of Oswestry. Using one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring both the town and the surrounding Montgomeryshire hills. You're well placed for day trips into Snowdonia or across to Shropshire's quieter corners.