Touring through Machynlleth – Powys, Wales

If you’d like to see a small part of what’s billed as “the ancient capital of Wales,” then touring through Machynlleth in Powys Wales should just about cover everything. At one time, this market town was the seat of the Welsh Parliament, in 1404, and for most of its history up until 1974 was a part of historic Montgomeryshire County, which the Welsh call “Sir Drefaldwyn.”

The area of Machynlleth is known to have long historical origins, being home to Bronze Age settlements as far back as 2800 years ago. Naturally, as a part of the Roman province of Britannia, it played host to the odd Roman fort or defensive outpost.

Machynlleth itself, as a name, is first noted in 1291, when the English king Edward I granted a royal charter to Owen de la Pole, who was Lord of Powys, the current “preserved county” in which today’s town sits. Today, it retains its strong Welsh character by ensuring that the old language of Welsh is taught and spoken alongside the modern English of the rest of the England.

Machynlleth itself is largely reliant on tourism as its main industry. It has several notable mountain biking trails scattered around the area, and there’s also a weekly large outdoor Market, which is normally held on Wednesdays. Additionally, the Wales Museum of Modern Art calls Machynlleth home.

Recently, the town has also established itself as a base for renewable energy development and education, which holds the potential for much success, especially given the state of diminishing petroleum reserves in much of the world.

Powys as a preserved county is home to some one-hundred and thirty thousand people. It descends from the Welsh/British kingdom of Powys. Both the town and the county proudly claim the Welsh Prince Owain Glyndwr, who led an uprising against England during the reign of Henry IV and established the 1404 Pariliament.

Machynlleth is full of Welsh history and atmosphere. Powys and the wider Wales, along with the town, all make for an attractive tourist destination.

Check here for a wide selection of Machynlleth hotels

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