What can I do here?

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Rose Cottage is well situated on the mid-Wales border with Shropshire and Herefordshire. There are many, many visitor attractions both close by, or within a short drive, bus or train ride (or by bicycle, horse or on foot)

Whether you want to walk or cycle, ride a horse or quad bike, explore a mine, beach comb, visit an interactive museum or just enjoy local Welsh delicacies in one of our tea shops, there will be something for you.

We have listed just a few events and ideas with the seasons here. The list is not exhaustive and our visitors seem to find lots more to do than we can think of!

Keep an eye on our blog for regular updates!

Walks, Wildlife, Cycling, Horse riding, Train rides, Bus excursions, Eating out, Local food and crafts, Local shopping and sightseeing.

This area of Wales is less well known but equally as beautiful. The gentle rhythm of life in the Teme valley attracts wildlife and there is much to see, whether from the comfort of the cottage or by putting on walking boots or cycling shorts! Taking a train or driving through spectacular countryside.

There are many tourist attractions within the area (www.exploremidwales.com). The benefit of staying on the border in Mid Wales is that both North and South Wales are within easy travelling distance; as is Shropshire, Herefordshire and the coast.                               

Walks                            

The cottage holds comprehensive guides and maps of local cycling routes and walks from the cottage. (See also www.powystrails.org.uk) The Ramblers’ Association’s local group arrange walks every Wednesday and Saturday throughout the year which visitors are able to join. Also, take a peek at http://www.leapingstiles.co.uk for more mid-Wales walking ideas.

Wildlife

We provide bird food for the birds and information about what you may expect to see from the cottage and surrounding area. The river below the cottage is a Site of Scientific Interest and is home to crayfish, otters, dippers and kingfishers as well as the fish and frogs. There are frequent surveys and some lectures about our wildlife. (See http://www.rwtwales.org) Kites are now often seen in the valley but close observation reveals the more unusual such as Merlins and Hen Harriers. Polecats, Weasels, Stoats, Badgers and Foxes are also about. We encourage wildlife in to the garden with nesting boxes, bat boxes and insect retreats. If there is an opportunity to sit quietly in the garden near the river you may be surprised to see the creatures that visit!! There are nature reserves all around this area including Beacon Hill which is directly opposite the cottage. The cottage has information and maps indicating what you may see. The reserves vary from bog land and water sites to rocky and woodland sites. There are also events to look out for with the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust. (See http://www.rwtwales.org)

There are other dedicated sites of interest to the nature lover including the Shropshire hills Discovery centre (www.shropshirehillsdiscoverycentre.co.uk)  The Elan valley, the Stiperstones, the Red Kite feeding centre and nature reserve at Gigrin farm, Rhayader, to name but just a few!

Cycling

There is room to bring your bicycle and we provide a comprehensive list of local cycle routes including locally guided mountain biking routes. (See also link above) Cycle hire is available in some particularly beautiful areas a short drive away. For the real enthusiast the National Cycle Museum is not far away at Llandrindod Wells.

Horse riding

Guided horse trekking and adventures are available to experienced riders using local ponies and horses, on request.

Train rides

Information including bus and train timetables is available in the cottage. The Heart of Wales line has a station 3 miles down the valley at Knucklas; (See http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/Heart_of_Wales.aspx) this travels through spectacular hills and valleys down to the Gower coastline. In this part of the world there are some tiny stations where you stand on the platform and hold your hand out for the train, just like a bus!

Alternatively the Cambrian line from Newtown carries the traveller along the beautiful river valleys of the Severn and the Dovey, and then meanders around the coast next to the sea before reaching Aberystwyth. (See www.thecambrianline.co.uk) There are connections for the Cambrian coastline trip as well; up through Barmouth and on to Pwllheli, should you be that adventurous!

Light railway enthusiasts will find a brilliant excursion on the Welshpool and Llanfair light railway that runs throughout the summer months (See www.wllr.org.uk/) which is just 20 miles from the cottage. Fun for children as well as adults and you can even learn to drive the train!

Bus excursions

There are local bus timetables in the cottage. There is a bus which stops on request near Rose Cottage and travels up and down the valley but it is not a frequent service. (See www.powysbus.info) However there are buses from Knucklas, Knighton and Newtown, which can take visitors to many places from Ludlow and Shrewsbury, to Llandrindod and Cardiff, Machynlleth and on to the coast of mid-Wales. Buses run special services during Eisteddfods and to events at the Royal Welsh showground. 

Eating out

There are several restaurants and pubs not too far from Rose Cottage. The nearest two, both within the walking distance of about 2 miles, are the Lloyney Inn, in Lloyney, on the way to Knighton. In the other direction is the Radnorshire Arms (left), in Beguildy. Further along towards Knighton, in Knucklas, is the Castle Inn. All offer a warm welcome, some good food, company and beer. It is advisable to book both, especially the Radnorshire Arms, for food, as they are very popular with the locals!

The Waterdine at Llandfair Waterdine just a mile from the cottage has a national reputation for good food and wine.

In Knighton itself can be found an excellent Indian restaurant and take-away, a fish and chip shop, a Chinese takeaway and a kebab house. Three cafes, including JD's (for a great breakfast), friendly Prince and Pugh's, or the Tower Gallery where you can view the pictures and local crafts as you eat.

Local food and crafts

The post office in Beguildy (1.5m) stocks local and organic meat, local vegetables, Traidcraft goods and some local craft, as well as other essentials.

There is a Farmer’s Market in Knighton Community centre on the 2^nd and 4^th Saturday of every month which sells local produce and crafts.

Andrew Pugh our butcher sells excellent very local meat from Harry Tuffin’s in Knighton. Fish can be obtained from Simon the fish man, every Wednesday from the old market car park; and local vegetables and plants can be obtained in the same place on Thursdays. There are three grocery shops in Knighton and a local baker. Harry Tuffin’s supermarkets are local to the area and an experience like no other in what is sold!

Apart from Ludlow, which is famous for its local culinary delights, there are locally made ice creams (www.dairydreams.co.uk) a cheese making dairy, café and farm shop (www.mousetrapcheese.co.uk) and a vineyard (www.penarthvineyard.co.uk) all within half an hour of the cottage.  

The area is home to many artists and crafts people. The Tower Gallery displays and sells some of this and has enough equipment for most hobbies including jewellery making and silk screen painting.

Further up ‘the Narrows’ is First for Yarns (www.first4yarns.co.uk) a specialist craft and knitting shop where you may enjoy a cup of coffee and a chat as well as technical advice on Thursday mornings with your knitting or crochet. They also meet on Monday nights at the George and Dragon in Knighton- when less knitting gets done owed to the dropping of stitches!

Local Shopping and sightseeing  

Knighton is a small market town, the main market day is Thursday when the local farmers gather and visitors are able to watch the stock auctioned.

There are a variety of shops such as could be seen many years ago in most local towns, stocking everything from clothes and hardware, to food, crafts, gifts and bridal gowns.