natural wonder
Pen y Garreg Reservoir, Elan Valley
One of the Victorian Elan Valley dams, its overflow curtain of water and island tower forming the classic Elan photograph.
6 km · about 10 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomWales
Rhayader
Wales, United Kingdom · Europe
About Rhayader
Rhayader works well as a base: 20 minutes from Llandrindod Wells, 6km from Pen y Garreg Reservoir, Elan Valley.
Rhayader is in Wales, United Kingdom, with about 1,800 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Llandrindod Wells, about 11 km away.
Rhayader (; Welsh: Rhaeadr Gwy; pronounced [ˈr̥əɪadar ˈɡʊi̯]) is a market town and community in Powys, Wales, within the historic county of Radnorshire. The town is 20 miles (32 km) from the source of the River Wye on Plynlimon, the highest point of the Cambrian Mountains, and is located at the junction of the A470Read more
road and the A44 road 13 miles (21 km) north of Builth Wells and 30 miles (48 km) east of Aberystwyth.
The 2011 census recorded the population at 2,088, with 55% of the community having some form of Welsh identity. The community is the largest in Wales by area, with 137.31 km2 (53.02 sq mi). It includes the Elan Valley.
Rhayader holds the record for the lowest-ever temperature recorded in Wales, -23.3 °C on 21 January 1940.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Rhayader?
Within an hour or so of Rhayader: Pen y Garreg Reservoir, Elan Valley (6 km), Elan Valley (7 km), Elan Valley Mountain Road (Rhayader to Aberystwyth) (8 km), Claerwen Reservoir (12 km).
Are there any good drives near Rhayader?
The nearest famous roads are Elan Valley Mountain Road (Rhayader to Aberystwyth), Cwmystwyth Mountain Road and B4574 Devil's Bridge to Cwmystwyth.
Where is Rhayader?
Rhayader is in Wales, United Kingdom, about 11 km from Llandrindod Wells.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 1,824
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Wales
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 52.3015, -3.5115
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Rhayader
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Elan Valley
Chain of Victorian dams and reservoirs built to supply Birmingham, their stone spillways thundering after rain, linked by a superb driving road through mid-Wales moorland. International Dark Sky Park with red kites overhead.
7 km · about 15 min drive
famous road
Elan Valley Mountain Road (Rhayader to Aberystwyth)
An empty 1930s-built mountain road over the Cambrian desert past Claerwen, with cattle grids and no villages for 20 miles.
8 km · about 15 min drive
natural wonder
Claerwen Reservoir
The largest of the Elan Valley reservoirs, its 1952 dam faced in stone, with an empty mountain road running west into the Cambrians.
12 km · about 25 min drive
famous road
Cwmystwyth Mountain Road
Wild, lonely mountain road from Rhayader to Aberystwyth over the Cambrian Mountains, passing the Elan Valley dams and old lead mines of Cwmystwyth. Often called one of Britain's remotest drives.
17 km · about 20 min drive
famous road
B4574 Devil's Bridge to Cwmystwyth
Rated among Britain's most scenic roads, a narrow climb from the Rheidol gorge onto the Cambrian moors past old lead mines.
18 km · about 20 min drive
mountain pass
Abergwesyn Pass (Devil's Staircase)
Remote 16-mile single-track mountain road from Abergwesyn to Tregaron over the Cambrian Desert, its Devil's Staircase section stacking hairpins at 20%+ gradients. One of the emptiest drives in Britain. No fuel, little signal.
19 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
Llyn Clywedog
A reservoir near Llanidloes held by Britain's tallest concrete dam, with a scenic loop road and views to Plynlimon.
20 km · about 25 min drive
Driving roads near Rhayader
7 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 60km.
- Right hereElan Valley Mountain Road (Rhayader to Aberystwyth)An empty 1930s-built mountain road over the Cambrian desert past Claerwen, with cattle grids and no villages for 20 miles.
- 17 kmCwmystwyth Mountain RoadWild, lonely mountain road from Rhayader to Aberystwyth over the Cambrian Mountains, passing the Elan Valley dams and old lead mines of Cwmystwyth. Often called one of Britain's remotest drives.
- 18 kmB4574 Devil's Bridge to CwmystwythRated among Britain's most scenic roads, a narrow climb from the Rheidol gorge onto the Cambrian moors past old lead mines.
- 19 kmAbergwesyn Pass (Devil's Staircase)Remote 16-mile single-track mountain road from Abergwesyn to Tregaron over the Cambrian Desert, its Devil's Staircase section stacking hairpins at 20%+ gradients. One of the emptiest drives in Britain. No fuel, little signal.
- 42 kmGospel PassThe highest road pass in Wales at 549m, a narrow single-track lane over the Black Mountains between Hay-on-Wye and Llanthony, with vast views across the Wye Valley from beneath Hay Bluff.
- 45 kmWaun FachThe highest point of the Black Mountains at 811m, a broad peaty summit above the Vale of Ewyas and the Gospel Pass.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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