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Essential Hotels > Wales > Powys
Powys is the largest principal area in Wales. It covers a quarter of the landmass of the country, sharing its eastern border with the English Midlands. Despite its size, the approximate population of Powys is only a third of that of Cardiff. For a county renowned for its rural beauty, Powys has a surprisingly turbulent history. Like many other areas of Wales, Powys was subject to Roman occupation, but for a great deal of the Dark Ages the county was home to a succession of Welsh kings. However, Powys’s proximity to what was then known as Mercia (now the Midlands) meant that the nobility suffered many years of hostilities from the Anglo-Saxons wishing to extend their borders.
Following the Norman Conquest Wales was shared out amongst Norman aristocrats, which led to years more unrest where the Welsh royals attempted to reclaim their kingdom. As a result, Powys was divided into two smaller counties. The northern province remained allied towards an independent Wales, but the southern district chose to side with the English, which directly contributed to the eventual surrender of Powys to the English lords and the deconstruction of the county into smaller boroughs. It wasn’t until 1974 that Breconshire, Radnorshire, Montgomeryshire and the southernmost tip of Denbighshire were again combined into the county of Powys.
Powys escaped the degree of industrialisation seen in the southern Welsh valleys, remaining a largely agricultural area. The primary exports from Powys during the industrial boom of the 19th century were metal ore and woollen/sheepskin products, both of which left minimal traces on the area. Powys is still largely agricultural and best known for its natural beauty, in particular the Brecon Beacons National Park. The area as a whole is commonly regarded as a relaxing destination. One of its most popular visitor attractions is the Offa's Dyke Centre, which details the history of the earthwork border separating East Wales from the Midlands. The market town of Welshpool and particularly the settlement of Knighton are great for exploring Offa’s Dyke. Other notable towns include the former spa areas of Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells, famous for the annual Royal Welsh Show.
Following the Norman Conquest Wales was shared out amongst Norman aristocrats, which led to years more unrest where the Welsh royals attempted to reclaim their kingdom. As a result, Powys was divided into two smaller counties. The northern province remained allied towards an independent Wales, but the southern district chose to side with the English, which directly contributed to the eventual surrender of Powys to the English lords and the deconstruction of the county into smaller boroughs. It wasn’t until 1974 that Breconshire, Radnorshire, Montgomeryshire and the southernmost tip of Denbighshire were again combined into the county of Powys.
Powys escaped the degree of industrialisation seen in the southern Welsh valleys, remaining a largely agricultural area. The primary exports from Powys during the industrial boom of the 19th century were metal ore and woollen/sheepskin products, both of which left minimal traces on the area. Powys is still largely agricultural and best known for its natural beauty, in particular the Brecon Beacons National Park. The area as a whole is commonly regarded as a relaxing destination. One of its most popular visitor attractions is the Offa's Dyke Centre, which details the history of the earthwork border separating East Wales from the Midlands. The market town of Welshpool and particularly the settlement of Knighton are great for exploring Offa’s Dyke. Other notable towns include the former spa areas of Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells, famous for the annual Royal Welsh Show.