Machynlleth

Machynlleth is a town in Mid Wales, generally referred to locally as "Mach". For visitors, it offers a range of activities such as mountain biking trails, and the visitor centre at the Centre for Alternative Technology.

Understand
This market town 9f 2,200 people (2011) was the seat of Owain Glyndŵr's Welsh Parliament in 1404, and was the "ancient capital of Wales"; there is an exhibition on Owain where the parliament building once stood.

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. It has developed a thriving Bohemian community and is at the centre of a network of organic farming settlements.

By train

 * is connected to Aberystwyth, Birmingham and Shrewsbury by rail, there are, on average, 14 scheduled services per week day.

By bus

 * Bus number 701 connects Aberystwyth with Carmarthen, Swansea and Cardiff.
 * Bus number 702 runs from Aberystwyth to Llandudno and stops in Machynlleth.

By car

 * From South Wales and South-west England. M4 to end (near Swansea), A48 to Carmarthen, A484 to Cardigan and A487 to Aberystwyth and Machynlleth. Alternatively take the A470 from Cardiff to Cemaes Road and then the A489 to Machynlleth.
 * From the English Midlands and North. M54 to end (near Shrewsbury), A458 to Dinas Mawddwy then A470 to Cemaes Road and A489 to Machynlleth.

Buy
Every Wednesday since it was granted a royal charter in 1291 Machynlleth town centre has played host to a street market. Still well worth a browse - even if you don't buy anything the bustling atmosphere is an attraction in itself.

Early Closing day in Machynlleth is Thursday, when most shops do not open after lunchtime.

Handicrafts


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

Go next

 * The popular seaside resort of Aberdyfi, with its yacht harbour and championship golf links, is 10 miles (16 km) 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, and a variety of different shops and workshops at the purpose-built Corris Craft Centre, 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 and museum.