Machynlleth was the seat of Owain Glyndŵr's Welsh Parliament in 1404 and is often cited as the "ancient capital of Wales".
Affectionately known as "Mach" to locals, this historic market town is the gateway to southern Snowdonia.
It's well known for its popular comedy festival and boutique shopping, due to its impressive number of independent retailers, you won't find a Starbucks or Superdrug here.
There's plenty to do and see in Mach, from outdoor pursuits right down to technology, arts and culture and there are also some marvellous places for eating out where you can feast on local produce.
Read more:The beautiful area of Snowdonia where you will beat the crowds
The town has the accolade of being one of only two UNESCO Biosphere Reserve sites in the UK. The Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth has been hugely proactive in promoting ecological technology and lobbying for environmental policy both in the UK and internationally.
We've rounded up some of the best things to do in Machynlleth along with lush places to eat and stay, so you can plan your weekend away in mid-Wales.
What to do in Machynlleth
Whilst the town is quite compact, there's plenty of shopping options, independent cafes and nearby attractions.
Wander the understated high street to find a good variety of junk shops, a bespoke shoe shop, an apothecary, cafes and MOMA – the Museum of Modern Art, one of only three in the world.
Machynlleth lies in the heart of the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere and sustainability initiatives can be seen all over town, everything from seedling swaps, clothing repairs and even 'pick your own herbs' in the local car park.
Further afield, you'll find hiking, biking and foraging and the beautiful Snowdonia National park, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Have a laugh
The town is probably best known for the popular Machynlleth Comedy Festival that it has grown year on year into one of the major events on the UK comedy circuit – and put Machynlleth on the entertainment map.
Thousands of people have flocked to Machynlleth for the three-day event, which some of Britain’s most recognisable comedians use to try out much of their new material.
Previous performers have included Aisling Bea, Jon Richardson, Stewart Lee, David O’Doherty, Mark Watson and Josh Widdicombe.
Browse the independent shops and boutiques
With a dressmaker and bespoke shoe shop, Machynlleth is the ideal place to update your wardrobe and seek out a new style. The town is home to the Original Shandals Co. and RED (Ruth Emily Davey) Shoes which is known for their carefully crafted footwear.
Ruth's charming shoe shop is located on the main high street and is there you can by the world-famous 'Shandals', designed by Alan James Raddon in 1992. these unique shoes are the result of a creative collaboration between Alan and his former apprentice Ruth, who now owns her own brand RED shoes
These special shoes have been designed to last and be repairable after years of wear and tear and also come in a range of vibrant colours.
Nearby you'll find Anderson apparel, which specialises in custom apparel, clothing designs and pattern cutting services. It's a small, quantity clothing design and manufacture company run by Christine Anderson, an award-winning qualified Designer and Pattern Cutter.
They have a made-to-measure service for private clients that's by appointment only. So you can spoil yourself with custom made clothes when on a shopping trip to Machynlleth.
Elsewhere in town, there's a range of independent book stores, junk shops and high-end antique dealers, if you are looking to furnish your home with vintage items or classic pieces, this is the town to visit.
Ayurveda Apothecary is also located on the high street, selling a range of organic face & body natural beauty products.
Discover Modern Welsh Art at MoMA Machynlleth
Home to contemporary Welsh art and culture, Machynlleth’s MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), is a must-visit attraction. The museum is housed inside a converted chapel and includes seven galleries and a concert venue.
It hosts a range of events throughout the year including Machynlleth Festival events– with recitals for children, jazz concerts and musical renditions.
Throughout the year MoMA exhibits an impressive array of Modern Welsh Art, featuring leading artists from Wales, works from the growing Tabernacle Collection and selected entries from the Tabernacle Art Competition.
Walk from Machynlleth to Aberhosan on the Glyndwr’s Way National Trail
The long-distance Glyndwr's Way trail can be broken up into smaller sections for a lovely day hike if you don't want to attempt the 135-mile tour through Mid Wales! This trail is an opportunity to celebrate Welsh cultural and natural history in the footsteps of Owain Glyndŵr.
The Machynlleth to Aberhosan 10-13 section is around nine and a half miles long and is a new section of the trail. It's an ideal one day hike in Wales for a mini adventure and isn't too challenging if you are new to hiking.
Highlights include walking through woodland on Ffridd Rhiwlwyfen and Cefn Modfedd , a broad grassy ridge with countryside views.
Go biking at Dyfi Bike Park
World-class biking can be found on the forested trails of nearby Dyfi Bike Park. This impressive bike park is the result of years of hard work by the Atherton family and the local community to create diverse and challenging trails that cut through the Esgair Forest.
Riders can buy an uplift pass from £43 and use the uplift from 10 am to 4 pm to explore long descents over varied terrain. Make sure to swing by their on-site cafe for a home-cooked lunch and a rater excellent cup of gourmet coffee.
Attempt the Cader Idris summit at sunrise
At 893 m (2,930 ft), Cader Idris is one of the highest mountains in southern Snowdonia and is a challenging trek for keen hikers who have based themselves in Machynlleth
Trek up the distinctive peak of Cader Idris in Southern Snowdonia just before dawn and watch as the Snowdonia National park becomes bathed in the golden sunlight of dawn.
There are three recommended routes to conquer Cader and they are all pretty strenuous routes. so make sure you are adequately prepared to take on these rather serious hikes through the dramatic ridges.
If you are relatively new to hiking, why not take a guided walk up Cader Idris with adventure experts Wild Trails Wales and navigate the mountain safely.
Go gin tasting at Dyfi Gin
Corris Craft Centre is a unique collection of nine individual craft studios where visitors can purchase food, drink, crafts and gifts from talented producers and designers.
It's also home to Dyfi Distillery, which creates premium Welsh gins - Dyfi Gin. The multi-award-winning gins are perfectly crafted with wild Welsh foraged botanicals. Pollination Gin is one of the few gins in the world produced from mostly foraged botanical ingredients and has a very reasonable price point.
Near to the craft centre, you'll find the former slate village of the same name, as well as the Centre for Alternative Technology, King Arthur’s Labyrinth and the narrow-gauge Corris Railway and Museum.
Forage for Samphire at nearby Ynyslas Beach
Machynlleth is in a prime location near the Dyfi Estuary, with the expansive and golden sands of Ynyslas Beach at the estuary’s mouth located a short drive away. The River Dyfi catchment area is unique in Wales having been designated a Biosphere by the United Nations ‘Man and Biosphere’ programme.
In the spring, the salt marshes are awash with sea pink whilst marsh samphire and sea aster can also be seen in summer.
It's a beautiful place for a spot of wild foraging for wild marsh samphire, that has a crisp texture and salty taste works that well with seafood and pasta dishes.
To forage the samphire, pinch or use scissors to snip the tips of the stems, leaving the tough, yellow lower stalks intact.
Experience the impressive tasting menu at Ynyshir
Ynyshir comprises accommodation and a destination Michelin star restaurant, located near Machynlleth. Chef Patron Gareth Ward serves a bold, and self-proclaimed ‘ingredient led and flavour driven’ tasting menu, using high-quality Welsh and British produce. It has just been awarded best restaurant in Wales in the 2021 National Restaurant Awards.
The restaurant is run by chef and owner Gareth Ward - who has appeared on cooking programmes, such as ITV's James Martin's Saturday Kitchen - and his partner Amelia. You can read more about life behind the scenes here.
It promises diners 'an ingredient-led and flavour-driven' tasting menu, which is £300 per person and includes around 30 courses. It's interactive as you can touch and ask about the ingredients while watching them being cooked over the fire.
It’s priced at £300 per person and advance booking is a must.
Learn more about sustainability at the Centre for Alternative Technology
The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is an eco-centre in Machynlleth that's dedicated to demonstrating and teaching sustainable development.
CAT is Europe’s leading eco-centre, a labour of love built into the ruins of an abandoned slate quarry. The result is inspirational. The 40-acre site is entirely dedicated to working examples of wind, water and solar power, energy conservation and organic production.
It's a thought-provoking place to visit and features many working examples of renewable energy, that gives visitors a unique insight into how we could become more eco-minded.
There's also organic gardens, experimental green buildings and sustainably managed woodland habitats to keep the whole family engaged and entertained.
Where to stay
In terms of accommodation, Machynlleth and the surrounding area has a pretty decent selection of places to stay for short breaks and holidays. You'll find a range of historic inns, hotels, self-catering accommodation and campsites to choose from.
For serene countryside views, you can stay in this train carriage on a hill, that overlooks the area, and it costs £33 per night.
You can also stay at this riverside bolthole with its own sauna for £70 per night and this shepherd's hut for £42 per night.
If you're visiting on a weekend, make sure to stay at the traditional coaching Inn, The Wynnstay and take full advantage of their superb Sunday lunch. Head Chef Gareth Johns uses local, Welsh produce where possible, including superb, cym dyfi lamb with capers and parsley sauce.
The Wynnstay is a rather charming and expansive coaching inn, with open fireplaces, country-style furnishing and antiques and the kind of eclectic decor you might expect from a historic Welsh inn.
The food and wine is the stand out feature of the Wynnstay, you can expect local produce including lamb, beef, samphire, wild sea bass, crab and lobster. Their high-quality wines are imported from Italy and you can also have a more local taste with their range of Welsh ales and ciders.
If you want to camp in the area, the Gwerniago Campsite is a rural campsite that's situated 3 miles from Machynlleth on the A493 on the coast road to Aberdovey. It's an ideal base for beaches, mountains and countryside exploring in the area.
There are also several hotel options in the area, including Plas Dolguog, a historic house that has been converted into a country house hotel, comprising of a comfortable bar, lounge, restaurant and 7 well-appointed ensuite bedrooms.
What to eat
Mid-Wales has an impressive range of local food and drink producers, supplying restaurants, pubs, bars, inns and cafés with lots of high-quality produce.
In and around Machynlleth, you'll find craft gin with locally foraged botanicals, hand made chocolates, samphire infused seafood dishes, local game and salt marsh lamb. There's plenty of places to eat including inns, cafes and even a Michelin star restaurant.
For a truly memorable dining experience in Machynlleth, head to the award-winning Ynyshir and feast on their excellent tasting menu. Make sure you are ravenous when you dine as the tasting menu is roughly 30 courses in length and four hours in duration. It’s a truly memorable dining experience and is highly critically acclaimed.
Local dining options in town include Sunday lunch at the Wynnstay, pub classics at the Black Lion Inn and contemporary dining at Number 21.
There's also plenty of cafes and coffee shops in the area. In town, you'll find the best flat whites and bacon bagels at Caffi Alys and delicious cakes at Y Gegin Fach.
Further afield at the Corris Craft Centre, Y Crochan Cafe serves the freshest local produce from across Snowdonia and Mid Wales in their seasonal dishes.
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