30 great reasons to visit Mid Wales this summer – everything you need to know

Mid Wales could be considered as one of the world’s hidden gems.

Despite its beautiful countryside, wonderful market town and peacefulness and slow pace of life – many would not consider it alongside some of the globe’s greatest holiday destinations.

But maybe it’s time to think again, to escape the world’s madness and to find something altogether more authentic- deeply rooted in history, culture and nature.

On the surface the area looks quiet and peaceful but a closer look will reveal a packed summer calendar of activities and events for all the family giving everyone 30 great reasons to visit Mid Wales this year.

The fun and excitement starts in May and stretches throughout what will hopefully be a stunning summer of dry, warm sunny days until the end of September.

Starting the season in the finest tradition will be Radnorshire’s first agricultural show of the season at Llanbister on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26.

In store will be lots of sheep, horses, pigs and a dog show alongside craft, produce, and photography competitions, plus live music and family attractions.

Into June there is an abundance of events including the 50th anniversary of Kington’s zany Wheelbarrow Race which attracts contestants from all over Britain in a variety of unexpected ‘wheelbarrows’. It takes place on Saturday, June 14 and has a theme of 70’s sitcoms this year.

Also in Kington this summer, Smokefest, a family-friendly, charity music festival will be held at the Football Club on Saturday, June 27.

If nostalgia and military items are more to your taste on the same day, Kington’s Armed Forces will be held at Lady Hawkins School and then the Recreation Ground with a parade, wreath laying services, military stalls and stands.

June also sees the start of the area’s many carnivals – Builth Wells’ is first on Saturday, June 21 at the Groe, with a packed procession around the town and then a myriad of attractions and family activities at the Groe.

The smaller towns of Newbridge-on-Wye and New Radnor hold their carnivals on Saturday, June 27, with fantastic costumes and floats all round.

The region’s agricultural shows also continue with Pont ar Elan Show on June 6 focused mainly on dogs and agricultural crafts and pursuits and Llanbadarn Show on Saturday, June 21 with a full range of animal and art and craft competitions.

July is a big month in Mid Wales.

Three of the largest market towns hold their carnivals – with Llandrindod Wells first up on Saturday, July 4, Presteigne on Saturday, July 11 and Rhayader, with a full carnival week starting on Saturday, July 11 until Sunday, July 19, with its carnival day on Saturday, July 18.

Each always delivers on bright colours, plenty of carnival sounds and fantastic costumes as well as lots of activities for families after the main parades.

Then to round the month off, the Royal Welsh Show will take place at Llanelwedd from Monday, July 20 until Thursday, July 23.

It is the pinnacle event in the British agricultural calendar.

Along with an exciting four-days of livestock and equine competitions, with entries travelling from far and wide to compete, the Royal Welsh Show has something to interest everyone through its wide range of activities including forestry, horticulture, crafts, countryside sports, shopping, food and drink and a 12-hour programme each day of exciting entertainment, attractions and displays.

After the full blown excitement of the Royal Welsh Show, August in Mid Wales starts with some of the smaller villages holding their shows including Llanyre, Norton and Llandewi. Each have plenty of livestock competitions, art and craft categories and other attractions – but they are all on a smaller scale than the giant Royal Welsh.

As August moves on there is the two-day Kington Vintage Show offering vintage and classic vehicles of all types including cars, tractors, motorbikes, caravans and the fabulous steam engines. There is always a main show ring act to thrill audiences and lots of other attractions for all the family.

After the vintage vehicles, it is back to the animals with one of the oldest agricultural shows in the area at Pantydwr on Saturday, August 15.

The rest of the month sees Mid Wales celebrate Llandrindod Wells wonderful architecture during the Victorian Festival, some of the world’s best classical music during the Presteigne Festival and all the fun of Knighton Show and Carnival in one day, with a daytime and evening parade, and a packed field full of activities, demonstrations and fun at Bryn Y Castell.

As September dawns, Mid Wales finishes off the summer in style with five remaining agricultural shows.

Starting with Hundred House Show on September 5, and Kington Show – which is the largest one day show in Herefordshire on the same day as Beulah Show on Saturday, September 12.

Finally the season ends with Llanafan Show on September 19 and Nantmel Show, the last of the season, on Saturday September 26.

Whether your passion is animals, arts and crafts, music, history, scenery or just good old fashioned community fun – Mid Wales has it all, every summer.