Hay-on-Wye (20 mins / 8 miles) Venture down to Hay-on-Wye "The Town of Books" where a wonderful selection of over 40 unique shops, antique shops and very many book shops await. Have an sheep's milk ice cream in Sheperds Parlour, visit The Fudge Shop, stock up on gifts of jewellery, crystals, candles and fairies in Satori - and with many more unique shops you'll be spoilt for choice! You can even book Guided tours of Hay-on-Wye. When you've had your fill of exploring, take a walk along the River Wye - head up-river and you'll reach The Warren which is a great picnic spot and a place for a summer paddle in the river, or cross over the bridge and find the down river section of the Wye Valley Walk. There is also a Co-Operative supermarket if you need to stock up on supplies (or use the town centre shops), and selection of pubs and cafe's for a spot of lunch (all listed in our places to eat guide in your Welcome Folder). Why not check out what's on at The Globe? Or elsewhere in Hay? Or travel back to the campsite via The Old Railwayline Garden Centre (the best garden centre in the UK 2018!). And if you're staying on a Thursday, don't miss the Hay-on-Wye market.
Rhyader & The Elan Valley (45 mins / 25 miles) Take a trip to the Elan Valley with a drive or walk around the dams that supply the West Midlands with their drinking water, then have lunch in Rhyader, followed by the afternoon at the Red Kite Feeding Station at Gigrin Farm. Or for a later start, stock up on a picnic lunch at Builth Wells before heading for the kite feeding and then take a late afternoon drive around the dams, with a stroll in the sunshine if the weather is fine. In July and August Wye Lavender will also be open to visitors while the lavender is in fragrant flower, so you might be able to squeeze in a peek there too. There is a Co-Operative supermarket in Rhyader or Builth Wells if you need to stock up on supplies - or visit their local shops.
Leominster (45 mins / 25 miles) Stop at Monkland Cheese Dairy on the way to Leominster with lunch in their cafe, followed by an afternoon in the Leominster shops. You could stop off at Westonbury Mill Water Gardens (where there's also a cafe) on your way or on way back - and a drive through the black and white village of Pembridge (part of The Black and White Village Trail) would also be worth your while to see a bit of true Herefordshire. There is a Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl and a Co-operative supermarket in Leominster if you need to stock up on supplies - or try the town centre shops.
Brecon(45 mins / 25 miles) Have a wander though Brecon town centre, visit the Cathedral, stop for a coffee then have a stroll along the Brecon & Monmouthshire Canal or visit The Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh. You could also head on to the Brecon Beacon's Visitor Centre (15 mins drive from Brecon) for lunch in their cafe, take a walk from there, or climb Pen-y-Fan from Storey Arms (15 mins drive from Brecon; allow 3-5 hours for the walk). Or head on to the National Showcave Centre for Wales (30 mins drive from Brecon). If the weather is not on your side why not see what's on at Theatre Brycheiniog or Coliseum Cinema? Brecon also has a Co-Operative supermarket, a Morrisons and an Aldi if you need to stock up on supplies - if you haven't already done so in the town centre.
Llandrindod Wells (45 mins / 20 miles) Llandrindod Wells, a Victorian spa town, is bit different to other towns in the area. Take a drink from the natural mineral spa, pop into the Cycle Museum, visit the Lake for lunch or take a day trip on the spectacular Heart of Wales Railway which runs between Shrewsbury and Swansea - you could even go to the seaside! Stock up on supplies at the supermarkets (Co-operative, Aldi & Tesco), or in the selection of town centre shops.
Builth Wells - a selection of high street shops with easy access for a walk along the River Wye. Why not check out what's on in Wyeside Cinema? And you could stop off at Erwood Station Gallery (& river walk) on the way back to the campsite.