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In the town itself are a variety of really good independent
shops, including a bike shop, an ethnic furniture/clothing emporium,
three art galleries, a good vegetarian café, craft shops, a jeweller,
a porcelain shop, a shoe shop, several cafes and seven pubs. As
well as this there is a large street market on Wednesday.
Also in the town is a leisure centre with a climbing
wall, squash courts and a swimming pool. Y
Tabernacl (also known as the Museum of Modern Art, Wales)
is also in town and has a wonderful permanent art collection,
as well as hosting many exhibitions and concerts throughout the
year.
Just outside Machynlleth is the Centre
for Alternative Technology, a permanent exhibition of wind,
sun and waterpower, organic gardening, and all things green. It
has a water-powered railway and an excellent café.
Not far away is the coast, to the north the attractive
village of Abverdovey, with sandy beaches and great fireworks
on August Bank Holiday. To the south is Aberystwyth, a busy university
town on the coast, and the sandy beaches at Yns Las.
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For walkers there are great walks from the house
at Talbontdrain, but it isn’t far to southern Snowdonia and
Cader Idris. Hilary has lots of ideas for walkers and a drying
room should it be wet. Glyndwr’s Way, a varied and wonderful
long distance path (soon to be declared a National Trail) passes
through the yard of Talbontdrain on its way from the border with
England to Machynlleth and back.
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Lately mountain biking has really taken off in the
area. Right on the doorstep are Mach 1,2 and 3, beautiful and
breathtakingly exciting off road rides, one of which goes past
our door and all of which start within a few miles of the house.
It is only about half an hour’s drive to Coed
y Brenin near Dollgellau, which also has exciting
off road rides. Sustrans
Route 8 passes through Forge at the bottom of our
road, and the alternative route even nearer. Talbontdrain has
safe storage space for bikes and a drying room.
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There are places to visit by car….Castell y
Bere which was a stronghold of Welsh princes against the English
and Harlech Castle which was built by the English to keep the
Welsh subdued, are within reasonable distance of the house.Powis
Castle, the home of Clive of India is near Welshpool
and has famous gardens, as does Bodnant in North Wales. Portmeirion
an Italianate village built by Clough Ellis and used to film the
sixties cult TV series ‘The Prisoner’ is reachable for
a day trip.
There is more, but why not come and stay and explore
for yourselves, you will be assured of a warm welcome.
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