About Powys

Powys is a county in Wales. It borders England to the east, Shropshire to the south-east, Cheshire to the south, Flintshire to the south-west, Wrexham to the west, Denbighshire to the north-west, and Conwy to the north. The northernmost and southernmost points of Wales are within Powys. Powys has a population of 121,000, making it the fifth most populous county in Wales. The principal towns are Newtown, Ystradgynlais, Brecon, Llandrindod Wells, Welshpool and Knighton.

The county is named after the Kingdom of Powys which was a Welsh kingdom that existed from the 5th to the 13th centuries. The name is first recorded in a Latin document from 1175 as Pouesia. It is thought that the name derives from Latin pagus 'country district' and Old English -sæte 'settlement', although an alternative derivation from Old English *pōh 'headland, promontory' has also been suggested.

The county town is Newtown. The county has two mountain ranges: the Brecon Beacons and the Radnorshire Hills. The Brecon Beacons are a National Park while the Radnorshire Hills are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The River Severn forms the eastern border of Powys with England. The River Wye forms part of the western border with England and also flows through Powys. The River Usk flows through Powys before forming part of the border with England.

Powys has a number of castles, including castles at Brecon, Builth Wells, Hay-on-Wye, Knighton, Montgomery, Newtown and Welshpool. There are also a number of hillforts, such as those at Garth Hill near Llangynidr and Y Pigwn near Llanidloes.

Powys is home to a number of notable buildings including St David's Church in Brecon, which is the oldest church in Wales; St Mary's Church in Welshpool, which has the tallest spire in Wales; and Llandrindod Wells Town Hall, which is one of the largest Edwardian public buildings in Britain.

The county has a number of museums including Powis Castle near Welshpool, which is home to one of the finest collections of furniture in Britain; The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway near Welshpool; and The National Cycle Museum in Llandrindod Wells.

Powys is also home to a number of stately homes including Powis Castle near Welshpool, which is one of the most important castles in Wales; Gregynog Hall near Newtown; and Nanteos Mansion near Aberystwyth.