6 Places to Choose for a Lovely Holiday in Knighton

With restrictions being lifted, more and more venues are getting opened to accept tourists and visitors from all around the world. In the UK, you finally have a chance to spend your holiday the way you want, going sightseeing and exploring nature. 

For your holiday destination in the UK, you may opt for a seaside town like Torquay or Skegness, or you may choose somewhere away from the sea, for instance, in Powys County. Knighton is a small market town in the Powys Country of Wales. In spite of its size, it provides abundant sights to enjoy. Here are some of the places that will give you a chance to have a wonderful holiday in Knighton.

Offa's Dyke

Offa’s Dyke, called Clawdd Offa in Welsh, is an earthwork, following the border between England and Wales. The origin of the earthwork is not for certain, although it is attributed to Offa, King of Mercia who ruled from 757 to 796.

Its debated history aside, the place is now a national heritage site and a British landmark. It provides around 176 miles of walking trail along the border of England and Wales, suitable for hikers and lovers of history and nature. There is a variety of moorlands, farmlands and hills that form an astonishing scenery, great for a countryside view.

Offa’s Dyke has a visitor’s association which is free to go in. Inside it, there is a small café where you can have some tea and cake. Free parking is about one mile from the Offa’s Dyke, at the Forestry Commission car park. In case you have a dog to bring, make sure they are kept on a leash since the fields are at times full of livestock.

Glyndwr's Way

Apart from Offa’s Dyke, Glyndwr’s Way is another important national trail in Knighton. It provides around 135 miles of Hiking trail, starting in Knighton and ending in Welshpool. On the English border, it is linked with Offa’s Dyke, and it passes through some fascinating landscapes.  Some of the sites you will encounter along the trail are:

•         Felindre, a historical village, described as “a hamlet in Glasbury parish” by John Marius Wilson, in 1870.
•         Abbeycwmhir, which contains the village church of St. Mary; rebuilt around 1866.
•         Dylife, a mining settlement of old; and now a community with its own church, school, and inns.
•         Meifod, another village, home to Dyffryn Hall, a Georgian manor house, which was formerly occupied by the Welsh politician, Clement Davies.
•         Added to these are woodlands of sessile oak and small market towns like Llanidloes

Along the route, there are several accommodations, inns, and campsites you may book and rest in. It is well considering that for many hikers, the route takes at least 10 days to finish. Overall, it guarantees a peaceful walk but you need to beware of some challenging hills and climbs.

The Spaceguard Centre & Observatory

If you are interested in astronomy, the Spaceguard Centre is the place for you. Located in Llanshay Lane, it is a working observatory and holds its position as the main source of information concerning near Earth objects in the UK.

Being open from Wednesday to Sunday, it is certainly well worth a visit. It has a telescope and a number of amateur instruments. There is also a planetarium which has seating for up to 25 people, and a shop with plenty of astronomical gifts to purchase.

The group of staff and their director provide excellent technical knowledge and outstanding support on astronomical matters. In short, it is a fascinating place where you can have an informative talk and have a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside.

Knighton Museum

Located on Broad Street, Knighton Museum is an excellent visit for any visitor, couple, or family. It is a free community-run museum, reliant on donations. The exhibits are a reflection of the local social life of the area and are either lent or donated by the locals.

An interesting point about this museum is that there isn’t any do-not-touch policy in place. So, you are allowed to touch and handle many of the artefacts on display. Among the fascinating artefacts are Elizabethan scullery and kitchen as well as elements of a 1950’s schoolroom.

The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and children are welcome to visit. And as for facilities nearby, there is parking within a few yards of the museum.

Croft Castle and Parkland

Among the places in and around Knighton, we should not forget to mention historical castles and halls. As an example, Croft Castle in Yarpole is a must-see for any traveller. Built around the 11th Century, its country house has been the house of the Croft family. 

A tour of its cellar and the attic is extremely fruitful and educational. It also contains a medieval church, an enchanting park, and a garden. The church, dating back to the 13th century, is a sight of wonder for anyone interested in medieval art and architecture.

There are Spanish chestnut trees planted in its walled garden. Its beauty is enhanced by fragrant flower beds, and deckchairs under a variety of apple trees; in short, a lot to behold and even plenty of ideas to learn for your own personal garden.

With regards to facilities, there is plenty of car park available, as well as tea rooms with a great selection of food to choose from. Moreover, its friendly staff and helpful volunteers make it worth a visit during your holiday.

Berrington Hall

Not far from Croft Castle, Berrington Hall is a neoclassical mansion completed in 1781. Part of the National Trust, it is home to art and heritage collections such as Elmar Digby furniture, and various paintings.

A contemporary art exhibition, on the ground floor of the mansion, presents you with large-scale drawings that will captivate your senses with the themes of perfection and ideal beauty.

The walled garden is full of flowers and herbs to discover, and its well-gravelled footpaths make it ideal for a pleasant stroll. Its curved structure is very eye-catching and is very well maintained thanks to its hard-working volunteers. There is no better time to visit than the summer when the flowers are in full bloom.

The surrounding landscape is spectacular and provides a great walking trail from the lakeside and back to the hall.

Where to stay: The Knighton Hotel

Dating back to 1867, located at the heart of Knighton, the Knighton Hotel, is itself a significant landmark for Knighton and the United Kingdom. The three-storey building offers a variety of accommodation options for all types of holiday-goers.

The hotel is very close to Knighton Museum, and the Spaceguard Centre. If you are wary of the tour all around Knighton, there isn’t any better place to rest the night than the Knighton Hotel. Reserving a room of your preference is just a click away.