A village inn since around 1512
The Wynnstay Arms Hotel offers bed and breakfast in the heart of the village of Llanbrynmair ("St Mary's on the Hill") in Powys, with rustic charm and a warm welcome. Steeped in history, the building dates back to circa 1512 and has been a public house for more than 300 years — a perfect spot for exploring the surrounding countryside and nearby towns and villages. One thing to note: this is the village inn at Llanbrynmair, a separate business entirely from The Wynnstay hotel in Machynlleth — see our Where to Stay page for both.
Bed and breakfast rooms
The pub has six bed-and-breakfast rooms in differing configurations — doubles, twins, and a double-and-single — all with TV and tea- and coffee-making facilities, and a hearty full English breakfast to set you on your way. Cots are available, and dogs are welcome (they'll like our dog-friendly guide too). Downstairs, of course, is the point of a 500-year-old pub: a proper village bar to come home to at the end of a day in the hills.
Walking Glyndŵr's Way
The inn's own copy suggests "walking the Glyndwrs Way or a visit to Machynlleth, the ancient capital of Wales" — and it's good advice. Glyndŵr's Way is the 135-mile (217 km) National Trail from Knighton to Welshpool that threads through exactly this stretch of the Montgomeryshire hills on its way to and from Machynlleth, topping out at Foel Fadian (510 m) with views down the Dulas valley to the sea. It is hilly, rough and gloriously remote — a village inn with a good breakfast is precisely what a Glyndŵr's Way walker wants at day's end. The trail can be walked year-round, in one push or as day sections, and more gentle walking ideas are on our walking page.
Llanbrynmair and around
Llanbrynmair sits on the X85 bus route between Machynlleth, Caersws and Newtown, making car-free visits practical. Machynlleth — with its 1874 clock tower, Owain Glyndŵr Parliament House and 1291-chartered Wednesday market — is an easy run west along the A470/A489, and Glyndŵr himself signed the famous Pennal Letter of 1406 just beyond it, at the village of Pennal. To the south, Llyn Clywedog reservoir — whose 72 m dam is the tallest concrete dam in the UK — and the scenic 20-mile Llanidloes–Machynlleth mountain road via Dylife offer one of Mid Wales's great drives, and the attractions of the Dyfi Valley, from the Corris Railway to the Centre for Alternative Technology, are all within day-trip range.
Getting here and getting around
Llanbrynmair lies up the valley between Machynlleth and Newtown, the run west to Machynlleth following the A470 and A489. There is no station in the village: the Cambrian Line, the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth railway, stops nearest at Caersws to the east and Machynlleth to the west, and the X85 bus links the village to both. Machynlleth takes direct trains from Shrewsbury and the West Midlands, Birmingham running around 2 hours 21 minutes, and the TrawsCymru T2 and T28 carry on from there to Aberystwyth, roughly hourly between them. Times change, so check before travelling — see our getting here and getting around pages.
Three days out from the village
Glyndŵr's Way makes Llanbrynmair a stage end: the official leg in from Machynlleth is about 16 miles (25.5 km) over hilly, sometimes rough ground, so a bed at the finish is no small thing. South towards Llanidloes, Llyn Clywedog spreads over some 615 acres behind the tallest concrete dam in the United Kingdom, and the ruined Bryn-tail lead works at its foot — in Cadw's care, free, open in daylight — repay the ten-minute walk down. West, the Mach mountain-bike trails run three waymarked loops of roughly 10, 14 and 19 miles from Machynlleth, with more riding in the Dyfi Forest above Corris.
Practical Information
Six B&B rooms with TV and tea/coffee facilities; cots available; dogs welcome; full breakfast included. The inn best suits walkers, cyclists and touring visitors exploring the Montgomeryshire hills. Details were supplied by the business — please contact the inn to confirm current prices, food service and availability.
The inn's own website confirms the six rooms — described as spacious twin, single or double — a full English breakfast served in the dining room, and that dogs are welcome. Bar and lounge meals run from light snacks and sandwiches to full evening meals, with vegetarian and children's options, alongside a range of ales, lagers, wines and spirits. No prices or serving times are published, so ring the inn to book direct and check food times.
The Wynnstay Arms Hotel, Llanbrynmair, Powys, SY19 7AA
Telephone (UK): 01650 521431 · Telephone (International): +44 1650 521431
Website: www.wynnstayarmshotel.co.uk
Day trips