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Machynlleth

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Machynlleth (Mac for short) is a surprisingly sophisticated country town about 15 miles north of Aberystwyth. It has a popular market, some interesting shops and a good range of visitor attractions. It is also one of the best places to visit on a rainy day.

See the "Drives" part of this site for a scenic route that includes Machynlleth.

Click for a map of Machynlleth. See this site's maps page for information on printing the map. On the map:

• At the top of the map, Hoel Y Doll (Doll Street) becomes the A487 towards Dolgellau.
• At the bottom of the map, Heol Pentrerhedyn (Street) becomes the A487 for Aberystwyth.
• Heol Maengwyn (Street) becomes the A489, which then joins the A470.

Tourist Information

The Tourist Information Centre is on Heol Maengwyn (Street) near New Street. Phone: 01654 702401.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Parking

• Small pay-and-display by the leisure centre on Heol Pentrerhedyn (Street).
• The main town car park is a pay-and-display off Heol Maengwyn (Street), opposite the Tourist Information Centre.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Celtica

Sadly this attraction (see photo 2) closed permanently at the beginning of 2006.

Swimming Pools

The small but well maintained swimming pool is in the leisure centre off Heol Pentrerhedyn (Street). There is a separate toddler pool but this is not always open. The water chute is on periodically through the day. There is a playpen in the ladies changing room. My kids always enjoy a visit to this pool.

More details of the swimming pool phone 01654 703300.

Information last reviewed: 7th/9/06.

Museums

The "Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)" (phone 01654 703355) on Hoel Penrallt (Street) (shown as Heol Y Doll on the map). At three and a half my daughter enjoyed a short visit here. I got her to show me which pictures she liked and we got some ideas to try out ourselves.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Parks and Playgrounds

There is a grassed area with a nice enclosed playground next to the leisure centre and swimming pool. The playground has equipment for kids of all ages.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Shops and Eating

The shopping area is centred on the clock tower at the junction of Heol Maengwyn (Street), Heol Pentrerhedyn (Street) and Hoel Penrallt (Street) (shown as Hoel Y Doll on the map). Most of the shops are along Heol Maengwyn (Street).

The shops are the usual mix you would expect in a small town but there are no high-street names. However, there is a good ethnic clothes store and several up-market art and craft galleries (see photo 3).

There is a small supermarket just before you get to the Tourist Information Centre walking from the town clock tower. A further 100 yards on the other side of the road is a slightly larger supermarket.

There is an extremely popular street market every Wednesday.

Cafes are spread throughout the shopping area. We usually use:

• The Milk Bar: Hoel Penrallt (Street) (shown as Heol Y Doll on the map) near the clock tower (see photo 1).
• The cafes opposite the entrance to the Heol Maengwyn (Street) car park.
• The leisure centre cafe. The centre is off Heol Pentrerhedyn (Street).

Plas Drive is a walk-way that links Heol Maengwyn (Street) to the leisure centre. It also connects to the main town car park.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Toilets

There are good attended toilets by the Heol Maengwyn (Street) car park (10p for adults, free for children). Nappy change facilities in the toilets.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Other Attractions in the Area

King Arthur's Labyrinth

This is part of the Corris Craft Centre situated 5 miles north of Machynlleth on the A487. You put on hard hats and travel by boat underground. After that you walk through tunnels to different areas depicting Welsh mythology. You would not be able to leave this attraction early if you needed to.

At three and a half my eldest daughter found the trip a little scary and only understood the legends to the level of "monster stories". However, she did enjoy the experience. At six my eldest daughter really started to understand the legends and our four year old had a great time as well. We get asked by both of them when we can go again.

This is a good choice on a wet day.

See the website for King Arthur's Labyrinth for more information (phone 01654 761584).

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT)

This is 2 miles north of Machynlleth on the A487. The Centre has many interactive exhibits covering green living, wind power, wave power, solar energy, composting etc. You can go underground to visit a giant mole and slide down a worm. There is a nice whole food cafe, although as with all such places you might have trouble finding something for very young or fussy children. For playing, there is an adventure playground, a covered sand pit and an old bus. The book/gift shop is superb.

Even at two and a half my youngest daughter enjoyed playing and exploring here. My 5 year old learned alot as well.

The outdoor nature of this attraction means it is one to avoid on wet days.

The CAT's website has useful visitor information and loads of useful material on green living (phone 01654 705950).

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Machinations: Museum of Mechanical Magic

This is a museum devoted to automata. It contains exhibits that you can operate yourself. The models range from spectacular figures, through fairy stories, jokey moving cartoons, to pure art pieces and items as delicate as jewellery. My daughters visited this when they were three and five and a half. They both loved it.

Machinations is about ten miles from Machynlleth. Take the A489 from Machynlleth, at the Cemmaes Road roundabout take the right turn on to the A470. The museum is in Llanbrynmair. For more details phone 01650 511514 or visit the Machinations' website.

Information last reviewed: 11th/7/06.

Disclaimer: This site is based on the author's experiences with his own children and therefore the advice may not be applicable to other children. The comments provided are the author's own opinions and should be treated as such. The author does not accept any responsibility for any damage, loss or injury resulting from the use of this site.