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Transport for Wales
https://tfwrail.wales/homepage
Telephone 03333 211 202

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Discover

Discover

Discover the Heart of Wales Line. Take a spectacular journey. Support a rural lifeline. Enjoy railway heritage, vibrant towns, independent eateries, quaint B&Bs and the glorious countryside of Mid Wales and the borders. 

Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury is a much loved town, admired not only for the beautiful old architecture and medieval streets, but also for a wide choice of modern and independent shops. To get there, without the hassle of parking, we recommend the train.

Expect to find

Great places to eat out.

Shopping, markets and street festivals.

Theatre and arts.


Shrewsbury Castle.

Shrewsbury Abbey.

The museum in an old music hall.


The Quantum Leap sculpture on the riverbank opposite the theatre… marking Darwin's 200th birthday.

Streets with great names such as Butcher Row, Fish Street and Grope Lane.


Did you know that:

Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury? 

There's plenty to celebrate his life and works in the town and his statue can be found outside the library.

Away and into the hills...

Board the Heart of Wales train at Shrewsbury and head south and very quickly you will find yourself in a region that has largely been untouched by urban or industrial development, other than traditional farming.

The world opens up just beyond the town, with one of the first areas to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Welcome to the Shropshire Hills. Enjoy the views all the way to Knighton, or alight at one of the smaller stations along the way:


Church Stretton

Alight here for a walk - or a run - up the Long Mynd or a browse around the high street show and cafes of this walker’s town. On the other side of Church Stretton lies Caer Caradoc and the atmospheric Wenlock Edge beyond.


Craven Arms 

Alight here for the beginning of the Heart of Wales Line Walking Trail. Don’t forget the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre exhibition centre and cafe - just a five minute walk down the road from the station.


Broome, Hopton Heath and Bucknell

These stations are the gateways to excellent walking and off road cycling country with forest paths and downhill tracks at Bucknell and Hopton Heath.


Enjoy the great atmosphere in local pubs, sample local produce, maybe take a night or two at a family run B&B. Be on the look out for lovely old churches, a wealth of open art studios and art cafes, unusual breeds of sheep, community run shops and cafes along the way.


Did you know that:

The Welsh Marches contain the densest concentration of motte-and-bailey castles in Wales and England?

Over the border into Wales

The train crosses over the border and into Wales at Knighton. This busy market town is well worth a visit. From Knighton station it’s a short walk over the bridge to the centre of town. There are some great little shops and cafes in Knighton and at the top of the high street look out for the Offa’s Dyke Centre on your right and the free exhibition featuring Offa, King of Mercia and Welsh hero Owain Glyndwr.
From Knighton the train takes you across the old county of Radnorshire (now part of Powys) en route to Llandrindod Wells via small vibrant rural communities including Knucklas, Dolau and Pen-y-bont. Much of Radnorshire is within the mountains. The hillsides are rich in sheep grazing, and a delight for wild-country enthusiasts.The Radnor Forest, home to the last dragon in Wales or so it is said, extends to the south - a place to explore - of moors, woods and rivers. Arriving into the atmospheric Victorian spa town of Llandrindod Wells, there is also an opportunity to catch a bus  https://www.traveline.cymru out to Rhayader and from there do the 3 mile walk to the wonderful Elan Valley Dams.

Watch out for:
Knucklas Viaduct. This viaduct (One of two along the line - see also Cynghordy) spans a tributary of the River Teme between Knighton and Knucklas. It has 13 arches, with iconic crenellated parapet, round towers at each end and square towers at the buttresses.

The Spa Towns

The train travels across mid Wales via the old “Spa Towns.” Here people travelled especially to bathe in and drink the healing waters, rich with minerals from the hills. The trains stops at the spa towns of Llandrindod Wells; Builth Wells, Llangammarch Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells, before crossing from Powys into Carmarthenshire.
Builth Wells is also the home of the Royal Welsh Show, a wonderful show with a proper rural atmosphere. There are special trains laid on for the Royal Welsh from Swansea to Builth Road with a shuttle bus service from the station to the show ground. These trains are extremely popular, and there is usually a great atmosphere (and lots of rucksacks) on board.

Don't miss:
The sheep shearing (shearing has become - pretty much - a proud national sport alongside rugby) the Welsh cobs, the Heart of Wales Line gazebo (well we would say that) and the many stalls showing off Welsh produce.

Sugar Loaf to Llandovery via Cynghordy Viaduct

From Llanwrtyd Wells there is a long pull up to the Sugar Loaf, one of the most spectacular sections of the entire railway line. At Sugar Loaf summit the train dives into a long dark tunnel through the hills with fantastic views to greet passengers on the other side. Further along the train crosses the beautiful, curving Cynghordy Viaduct. Cynghordy itself is a request stop, but worth a visit if only to walk through the village to Glandwr and follow the little road under the viaduct for a great view of this engineering masterpiece.
From Cynghordy, the next stop is Llandovery, very much a railway town and gateway to the Brecon Beacons. Llandovery boasts one of the line’s finest station buildings, with a welcoming community cafe. It’s a popular place for walkers to warm up in front of the log burner in winter or for summer visitors to take refreshment and a browse through the Heart of Wales Line archives which are on display. Joan’s Special Afternoon Tea for groups is a really wonderful spread – please pre book on 01550 731283.

Serious Walking Country

The stations from Llandovery to Llandybie via Llangadog and Llandeilo have long been used by keen walkers, for they lead to the glorious and often challenging walking country of Carmarthenshire and the Brecon Beacons.
Check out the route instructions for the open sections of the Heart of Wales Line Trail in this area. If you are a keen walker, looking for glorious views, mountain tops and a challenge, this is for you.

Ammanford, the Loughor Estuary and into Llanelli

At Ammanford, an old mining town with a fascinating heritage, the countryside changes again as the train heads towards the salt marshes of the Loughor Estuary and onwards into Llanelli.

If it’s rugby that you love, you wont want to miss the fabulous Parc Y Scarlets. 

Here’s the link http://parcyscarlets.com

The City and County of Swansea

Onwards on the train again through Gowerton and into Swansea and you have arrived at the south end of the line.
Don't miss:
The National Waterfront Museum, telling the story of Welsh industry and innovation through audio visual and interactive displays. The museum has a replica of the world’s first steam locomotive, a brick press and one of the very few surviving coal wagons. www.museumwales.ac.uk/swansea
Swansea Market, at the heart of the city centre, has been serving the community for generations. It is a busy and vibrant market with over 100 stalls including fresh local produce and traditional Welsh gifts and an opportunity to sample Swansea’s famous cockles, laverbread and fine Welsh cheeses. Swansea Market also hosts art exhibitions and family fun days. www.swanseaindoormarket.co.uk 
Looking forward to a wander down to the bay to take in the sea air? From Swansea Bay you can walk out to the Mumbles or catch a bus along the beautiful Gower Peninsula - there is a bus service available should you wish to take the weight off your legs www.swanseabaywithoutacar.co.uk The world is amazing and it’s here for us to explore, we hope you enjoy your journey along the Heart of Wales Line...

Our accommodation page is designed to help you discover places to stay during your journey on the Heart of Wales Line and the Heart of Wales Line Trail. Please note we are not a booking agent please visit the accommodation provider’s booking page to make your booking and contact the provider directly for any enquiries. We hope you enjoy a spectacular journey along the scenic Heart of Wales Line.








Our accommodation page is designed to help you discover places to stay during your journey on the Heart of Wales Line and the Heart of Wales Line Trail. Please note we are not a booking agent please visit the accommodation provider’s booking page to make your booking and contact the provider directly for any enquiries. We hope you enjoy a spectacular journey along the scenic Heart of Wales Line.

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