Machynlleth

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Machynlleth is a town in Mid Wales.

[edit] Understand

Machynlleth Town Clock
Machynlleth Town Clock

This small market town was the seat of Owain Glyndŵr's Welsh Parliament in 1404, and so there are claims that it was the "ancient capital of Wales". However, this has never received official recognition.

Since the founding of the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in 1973, the town has acted as a magnet for people interested in an alternative lifestyle. Consequently, it has developed a thriving Bohemian community and is at the center of a network of organic farming settlements.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By train

[edit] By bus

[edit] By car

  • M4 to end (near Swansea), A48 to Carmarthen, A484 to Cardigan and A487 to Aberystwyth and Machynlleth.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

  • The Centre for Alternative Technology Tel:+44 1645 705-950 [2] - an internationally well known center for the development of alternative technology - there is a frequent bus service from the clock tower (in Machynlleth) to the center.
  • Royal House and Parliament buildings [3] - located in the the centre of town, these historic buildings are believed to be built on the site first Welsh parliament and related buildings of that period.
  • Y Tabernacl, Heol Penrallt. Tel:+44 1645 703-335 [4] - a small museum of modern art - worth having a quick peak if you're in town. Open: Mon-Sat 10AM-4PM. Admission free.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Mountain biking

There are a number of marked trails[5] in the Dyfi Valley, centred around Machynlleth, including the purpose-built CliMachx route.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit] Handicrafts

  • Sarah Janes Willis Studio Pottery, 21 Maengwyn Street. Tel:+44 1654 700116 [6] - all pottery is made on the premises. Open:Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM
  • Kelvin Jenkins Jeweller[7], 19 Maengwyn Street. 01654 703370. Sells gold and silver jewellery, handmade in the workshop onsite, as well as items from other manufacturers. One of the few jewellers working in Welsh gold, though these pieces can be very expensive.
  • Spectrum Gallery[8], Maengwyn Street. 01654 702877. Eclectic selection of glassware, jewellery, ceramics, original paintings and prints. Well worth a browse.

There are also a number of craft shops in the nearby village of Corris

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • Wynnstay Hotel, Maengwyn Street. Tel:+44 1645 702-941 [9] - serves fantastic food (in the restaurant or bar) that would out-compete many a top London restaurant, and the bar is also friendly toward people with well behaved dogs. It has an excellent list of unusual wines and great beers. If you can't stretch to the restaurant price tag (about £12 for a main course) then they have an excellent pizzeria at the back (the oven for which was imported from Italy!!!).

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Get out

The popular seaside resort of Aberdyfi, with it's yacht harbour and championship golf links, is just 10 miles to the west, accessible by the A493 road or by Cambrian Line trains.

Only 4 miles beyond Aberdyfi is Tywyn, home of the Talyllyn Railway. If you are travelling by car then on the return journey to Machynlleth, take a left turn off the road just 1 mile south of Tywyn, to pass through the picturesque Happy Valley. The road rejoins the A493 at the village of Cwrt.

Corris, just a few miles away on the Dolgellau road, is a pretty former slate-mining village and a focus for arts and crafts. There is a pottery in the village itself, and a variety of different shops and workshops at the purpose built Corris Craft Centre[10], next to the main road on the hillside overlooking the village, which has ample car parking. The interactive visitor attractions of King Arthur's Labyrinth and the Bards Quest are accessed from the Craft Centre site. Corris is also home to the narrow-gauge Corris Railway[11] and museum.

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