Towns and Markets of Powys and Shropshire

The ancient market town of Newtown is located 3.5 miles away in the heart of the magnificent Montgomeryshire countryside on the banks of the River Severn. The town is steeped in history dating back to 1279 and offers the following places of interest:               

• Hafren Theatre: performances throughout the year

• Davies Gallery: Public art gallery and exhibitions

• Textile Museum: 19th century weaving shop

• Robert Owen Memorial Museum: Dedicated to his life and works

• Maldwyn Leisure Centre: Swimming pool, sauna, fitness suite

• WHS Museum - above WHS store - this was the first in the UK

Newtown covered market and a street market every Tuesday

This bustling market town is surrounded by the rolling hills of Montgomeryshire and the glorious unspoilt countryside in Mid Wales. Traditionally an agricultural service centre, Welshpool possesses the largest sheep market in Europe and the feeling of a traditional hard working market town still remains today.

Welshpool has a long and colourful past and many buildings of historical value remain, some of which are highlighted on the Towns Heritage Trail.  Welshpool has an indoor market on the first Friday of each month

Montgomery is an historically important town, situated deep in the Welsh Marches.  It's an attractive town, with a strong architectural heritage complete with medieval castle and well-preserved Georgian square. Situated close to the Offa's Dyke path, Montgomery is an excellent stopping off point providing a wealth of places to eat and drink.

Groups are welcome to organise a tour of Monty's Brewery.

Llanidloes is a small market town, famous for its timber-framed buildings and its annual fancy dress party. There are over thirty separate routes around the town which link Llanidloes with the smaller surrounding villages of Llangurig, Llandinam and Trefeglwys and range from just a few miles to a good day's walk. The national trails of Glyndwr's Way and the Severn Way also pass through Llanidloes.

Nearby the lake of Llyn Clywdog provides wonderful walking and scenery.

Bishop's Castle is a small town built on a south-facing hill, with a population of around 1500. Centred on the High and Church streets, which climb from the parish Church. You can admire the Town Hall and many other historic buildings and the unusual Elizabethan House on Crutches, which is supported by wooden posts over a cobbled alley.

Bishop's Castle was once a drovers town - a watering hole for both them and their cattle on their way to market. With two breweries, many eating places and a lively events calendar - people keep coming back.

Shrewsbury has been called 'England's finest Tudor town' with good reason, black and white properties are everywhere and with over 660 listed buildings all linked by ancient shuts or passageways. Charles Darwin, perhaps the town's greatest son, would still recognise much of modern Shrewsbury.

The high streets of other towns may be bland and predictable, but not so Shrewsbury's. Hats, Japanese groceries, tobacconists, ironmongers, art deco, handmade soap, organic food, Shropshire cheese, award winning wine merchants, contemporary art, designer clothes, ski and surf, Victorian prints, antiques and other collectables. Shrewsbury has a market on Sundays.

Oswestry is an ancient market town and still retains its vital function as a market and shopping centre. The narrow passageways link streets whose names conjure up images of the past: English Walls, Welsh Walls, The Bailey and the Horsemarket. It is a locally important shopping and agricultural centre and still retains the intimacy of a rural town serving local people and home to a number of specialist and independent shops.

The Horse Market & Bailey Head is every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

Ludlow is a thriving market town - an architectural gem with a lively community feel. It bustles with events throughout the year.
 
 In recent years, Ludlow and the surrounding area has acquired an international reputation for the quality of its food and drink. Food in Ludlow. Some of the best restaurants in Britain can be found here, encouraged by the area's abundance of top-quality food and drink producers and suppliers. The impressive ruins of Ludlow castle occupy the oldest part of Ludlow.

Aberystwyth nestles between three hills and two beaches, and hosts some castle ruins, a pier and a harbour. The surrounding hills hold the visible remains of a iron age fort and also a monument to Wellington and once climbed offer stunning views of Cardigan Bay. The seafront hosts Victorian / Edwardian buildings mostly 4/5 stories high.

Aberystwyth is a University town with some seven thousand students, ensuring it a vibrant throughout the year and not just during summertime. Incidentally, there are now ‘only’ fifty pubs left in Aberystwyth!

Chester is an historic city, with a delightful mix of exclusive stores, accommodation, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife, mixed with graceful architecture, has lots to offer both local residents and visitors alike.

In every corner of the city you are confronted with history, from the Roman amphitheatre to the medieval half-timbered buildings. Chester Cathedral has the finest Medieval quire stalls in the UK with some of Europe's finest carvings