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Llanidloes

Small but picturesque town, Llanidloes is a typical mid-Wales market town. Timber-framed buildings and a long history all lend Llanidloes character and offer the tourist an excellent base for a range walks in the area. Llanidloes is pronounced "lhan-id-loyce" but fortunately this name is shorted to simply "lani" by locals.

On your visit, you'll be immediately impressed with the 17th century Llanidloes Market Hall which stands at the cross roads into the town. The half-timbered building is the last survivor of its kind in Wales. As well as a weekly market, Llanidloes Market Hall has served as a law court, preacher's hall (for the likes of John Wesley), a flannel store and a Working Men's Institute. It has now been converted into the Llanidloes Museum which lovingly details the history of timber-framed buildings in the Llanidloes area and the UK. Llanidloes Museum is also home to an unusual exhibit, a two-headed lamb born here in 1914. Another notable building in Llanidloes is St Idloes Church. It boasts a 15th century hammer beam roof thought to have originated from Abbey Cwmhir. Heading down Greak Oak Street from Llanidloes Market Hall, you'll see Llanidloes Town Hall standing in direct opposition to the Trewythen Arms across the road. It was built as a temperance hotel to offer visitors to Llanidloes an alternative and purer residence. The hotel is now closed but bears a plaque commemorating the social unrest here in 1839. Although Llanidloes enjoyed a thriving flannel industry at the time, weavers were poorly paid. Chartists vented their anger at the social injustice by storming the hotel and beating up the very constables specially appointed here to quell the political unrest.

Llanidloes is not in itself home to any other attractions of note to the tourist. However, it lies on the long-distance Glyndwr's Way and the Severn Way and there are an additional range of short walks in the area. If you only have limited time, head directly for the section of the route that runs through the Cambrian Mountains between Llanidloes and Machynlleth. Other short walks will take you on a circular route from Llanidloes to Llangurig, Trefeglwys and Lladinam. Alternatively, you can head down the B4518 to Lyn Clwedog, a reservoir built in the 1960's. Nearby you'll see the remains of houses and working buildings once home to the Bryn Tail Lead Mine. In addition to being the home to the first Laura Ashley shop to open its doors, Llanidloes is also known for its annual Llanidloes Fancy Dress street party held every year in the first week of July. One mile north of Llanidloes visitors can play a nine hole course at St Idloes Golf Club.