Local Towns
Our nearest towns are Knighton and Newtown. Knighton is a pretty market town; the only town to be built on the 1200 year old Offa’s Dyke and where you’ll find the Offa’s Dyke Heritage Centre, our local tourist information centre which has an interactive exhibition that allows visitors to explore the Offa’s Dyke. The town lies in the beautiful Teme Valley, cushioned by the green hills of Powys and Shropshire.
A little further afield you will find Clun, a rural gem in the South Shropshire Hills lying in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty close to the border with Wales in what is termed the Middle Welsh Marches. The thriving market town Ludlow with its famous castle and its reputation as a centre forsome of Britain’s best food and drink is not far away.
Presteigne, Llandrindod Wells the victorian spa town, Builth Wells, home of the Royal Welsh showground, are all within a short driveaway and all worth a visit.
Places to visit
The Spaceguard Centre in Knighton is the only organisation in the UK addressing the hazard of Near Earth Objects and the threat of asteroid and comet impacts, the ways in which they can be predicted and dealt with. They bring the wonders of the universe to everyone in a fun and understandable way through regular tours of the observatory.
Aardvark books and Café near Brampton Bryan is a giant bookstore with over 50,000 titles all at great prices and a lovely café serving home-made cakes. Always worth checking out their website for details of events they hold throughout the year.
Discover how the Shropshire landscape evolved at the Secret Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms with 25 acres of walks a simulated hot air balloon flight.
Visit the dams and reservoirs of the Elan Valley estate before going to the Red kite feeding station at Gigrin Farm where you will see breathtaking feats of aerial piracy as red kites compete with buzzards and ravens for choice pickings.
Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre just outside Kington is A magical place to experience animals, birds and owls.- perfect for the children.
Museums & Galleries
Newtown is the largest town in Powys and is situated in what could be called the bellybutton of Wales. Newtown is a classic example of a market town built on the back of the textiles industry and the Industrial Revolution it benefits from a number of museums and educational resources, the Robert Owen Museum, the Textile Museum, the WH Smith Museum and the Oriel Davis Gallery are all in the centre of town. Slightly further afield there is the Theatr Hafren. Other local highlights include the Andrew Logan Museum the celebrated performance artist/sculptor has a museum in nearby Berriew.
The Thomas Shop at Penybont 16 miles away is a delightful victorian village shop to visit … just as it always was, and with The Engine Room Café, (so called because it once housed a steam engine that powered the industrial Laundry for Llandrindod Wells, between 1905 and 1917), It has been refurbished to create a cosy and special atmosphere specialising in light refreshments for people visiting the Shop and Galleries. In good weather teas are served by the river or in one a distinctive living-willow pods.
The National Cycle Collection in Llandrindod Wells houses hundreds of cycles in period settings, including examples from 1819 through to the present day. It also displays rare components and accessories from this period.
Radnorshire’s old Shire Hall in Presteigne, formerly the county court, is now the award-winning Judge’s Lodging Museum where you can step into the 1870s to discover the world of a most unusual household. Explore the ‘upstairs, downstairs’ life of the Victorian Judges, their servants and felonious guests.
Gardens
We are spoilt for choice with local gardens and nurseries to visit. Check out the National Garden Scheme for private gardens open at specific times.
The Whimble Gardens and nursery just 16 miles away are tucked away on the south facing slopes of The Radnor Valley are richly planted gardens forming a subtle tapestry of colour throughout the season.
Bryans Ground also around 16 miles away offers the visitor 3 acres of intimate garden rooms that have been growing since 1913. Furnished with follies and fragrant flowers, towers and topiary, pools and a potager, and paths to five acres of specimen trees on the banks of a river, on the border with Wales.
Hergest Croft Gardens are 20 miles away in Kington and close to
Hergest Ridge – perfect for a walk! There are gorgeous flower borders, An old fashioned Kitchen Garden, stunning Azalea Garden, Maple Grove, and Park Wood and with a Gift Shop and Tearooms the Gardens are the perfect place to explore and relax.
Gregynog Hall Gardens and walks set in 750 acres of grounds containing many different landscapes including Grade 1 listed formal gardens is considered to be one of the most important parks and gardens in Powys, dating from at least 1500s.
Glansevern Hall, with its 25 acres of glorious gardens and host to the rapidly growing Welsh Food Festival.
Activities
Golf
The nearest 18 hole course being Llandrindod Wells Golf Course best described as an “Upland Links” course provides a true test for golfers of all abilities.
Knighton golf course offers one of the best rounds of golf in central Wales. If you enjoy courses that are full of character, that have uphill and downhill lies and offer some of the most spectacular views you are ever likely to see on a golf course.
The 6012-yard course Newtown Golf Course is a challenging par 70 parkland style course which course uses the natural contours of the land to provide a challenging golfing experience rising and falling towards the River Severn.
Riding
Heart of Wales Riding School and Underhill Riding Stables both offer trekking and instruction for beginners and the more experienced.
Clay Pigeon Shooting
The Griffin-Lloyd shooting ground just 11 miles away offers a wide variety of clay target shooting facilities to suit your needs whether you are an expert shot wishing to stay at the top of your game or a complete novice looking to try something new and exciting.
Rally Driving
Phil Price’s Rally School around half an hour away is the UK’s leading rally school – Voted Best UK Rally School by Auto Express magazine for more than a decade!
Birdwatching
The Radnorshire Wildlife Trust has a conservation lease on the Beacon Hill Common, and as such birdlife is abundant. It is predominantly upland heath and retains a wonderful wilderness atmosphere rare in the UK today.
Food and Drink
We love cooking and have a growing menu of tried and tested home cooked recipes for our guests. We source our food locally wherever possible and purchase the freshest ingredients. We cook to order so please do book in advance if you would like to eat in whether you are staying for B&B, Self-catering, or glamping or camping. As we are un-licensed you are welcome to bring with you whatever you would like to drink with your meal. If you prefer to eat out there is a choice of several pubs within the valley and further afield.
Things to do
Cycling
We offer Cycle Friendly Accommodation on the Welsh borders with great XC riding on the doorstep and within easy reach of several world class mountain bike centres with freeride, downhill and uplift facilities.
Walking
No crowds, no hassle, no pressure – that’s walking in Mid-Wales! The opportunities for walking from the Brandy house are endless. Take the long route into the village (about half an hour through ancient oak woods) or spend several days hiking
Events
We host a variety of events at the Brandy House and there is lots going on in the area too.