Activities...

If you enjoy taking part in activities during your break with us, then The Cammarch is a great place from which to base yourself as there are a myriad of activities in the near vicinity and will only be too happy to help you organise your itinerary.  Below are just a few suggestions:

Fishing | Our Beats | Golf | Horse Riding | Walking | Cycling

The Cammarch has long been a famous stay-over for anglers fishing for salmon, trout, chub and grayling not only on its own beats on rivers Irfon and Cammarch; also it’s a central place from which you can reach most of the wonderful fisheries that use the Wye & Usk Foundation Passport Scheme. You can buy your tickets from the Cammarch.  For more information about the Passport Scheme visit: www.wyeanduskfoundation.org

The Cammarch is open all year for fishing as the season extends pre 3rd March and Post 30th September for grayling.  Last season was an excellent year, especially for grayling.  On average anglers caught 6 fish per visit and we had returns of 2.5 lb grayling, 3 lb trout and a 12.5 lb salmon.   The rivers are ideally fished with 7.5 to 8.5 ft, to 5wt rod and waders with felt soles are a requirement due to the slippery bedrock.  Our rivers are fly fishing only and we operate a Catch and Release policy for all species.

We have secure facilities for storing fishing gear as well as a drying room should you get wet!  We normally provide you with a cup of coffee before you start fishing but we can have a hearty breakfast arranged for your arrival that will really set you up for a good days fishing.  Packed lunches and an evening meal can all be arranged.  Nothing is nicer than popping into the Cammarch for a celebratory scotch or pint of bear after a successful days fishing, so please come in and take advantage our bar facilities.

We have three beats on the Irfon:

The Cammarch is lucky to have three excellent Golf Courses on its doorstep two of which are championship courses:

Builth Wells:
Builth Wells Golf Club is a stunning 18 hole parkland golf course just a short drive from The Cammarch and close to Builth Wells. The course is said to be “a hidden gem”, it is immaculately kept and provides all levels with a challenge with the woodland, ponds and the River Chewfri running through the course being able to play to your handicap is considered to be an achievement. Visit www.builthwellsgolf.co.uk

The Cradoc: 
The Cradoc is an 18 hole championship course, voted Welsh Golf Club of the Year in 2005, is situated alongside fabulous scenery of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Just a short drive from the Cammarch it is said to provide both a challenging and enjoyable test of golf.  It has excellent practice facilities adjacent to the course including a 10 bay floodlit, undercover driving range with double teaching bay. There is also a two-acre chipping and bunker practice area for keen golfers to tune-up before their round. Visit www.cradoc.co.uk    

Llandrindod Wells:
Llandrindod Wells Golf Club, voted Welsh Golf Club of the Year in 2004,  is said to resemble an ‘Inland Links’ course with lush upland turf, turf banks and natural hazards with well protected true greens, which provide a exacting test for golfers of all abilities. There’s a floodlit driving range and buggy hire. The club facilities are excellent with a restaurant which offers quality home-cooked food and two bars.  Visit www.lwgc.co.uk

You can play at all three courses as a non-member and uniquely the three golf clubs have joined together to offer a special deal for playing at the three clubs.  Visit www.heartofwalesgolfbreaks.co.uk 

If you are thinking of combining a golfing holiday with seeing the Ryder Cup 2010 being held at the Newport Celtic Manor Resort in October, why not stay at the Cammarch.  You can have your choice of using any of the three stunning golf courses and just an hour and a half drive through stunning countryside to the Celtic Manor Resort.

The Cammarch is centrally positioned to take advantage of many of the horse riding and trekking facilities to be found in mid-Wales whether it’s locally or further a field you will be sure to see the best of the countryside astride a magnificent horse:

Ffos Farm
Our local friendly horse riding stables are about a 6 minute drive towards Llanwrtyd Wells and they can cater for all levels of riders.  You will have a choice of rides, into the Abergwesyn Valley, through the Crychan Forest or just enjoy a quiet ride by the local rivers such as the Irfon, Cammarch or Dulais.  Whichever route you take, you will experience the most amazing scenery and peace and quiet of our beautiful countryside.  We can arrange with the stables for individual or group lessons or weekend or full week riding itinerary.  For more information visit www.ffosfarm.co.uk

Underhill Riding Stables:
Situated in some of the most beautiful and unspoilt countryside in Wales near Llandrindod Wells and about 20 minutes drive from the Cammarch these stables can offer interesting riding for people of all skill levels and even at short notice.   The Cammarch can contact the stables to arrange pony trekking, half day rides, full day rides and pub rides. For the more ambitious, a whole days riding can be organised with stopping points at the local inn for lunch; followed by ride back to the stables through the beautiful Radnor countryside. Visit www.underhillridingstables.co.uk

Cantref Trekking Centre:
Based on the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, the Cantref Centre is only about 30 minutes drive from the Cammarch.  The Centre has been running for over 40 years and so they are very experienced at ensuring the riding will be both safe and enjoyable. You can choose from an hours ride around their farm to see the wonderful backdrop of the Beacons and Black Mountains, or a half day or full day ride up onto the Brecon Beacons themselves.  All rides are accompanied by an experienced guide and a brief riding demonstration is given before every ride and B.S hats are provided free of charge. Visit www.cantref.com for more information

Epynt Way:
If you have your own horse, we have on our door step, the Epynt Way, which means “Place of Horses” in the ancient Celtic language and they are sure to be given a warm welcome.  There are 5 receptor points offering corralling, shelter and horsebox parking.  The entire 50 mile long route is open to equestrians and in addition to the main trail there are 5 circular routes linked to small towns and inns.  Visit www.dtewalesandwest.co.uk for more information.

The Cammarch is surrounded by some of the most stunning countryside in Wales.  If you just want a stroll in the countryside enjoying the fresh air or if you are an experienced walker then the Cammarch can cater for all your needs.  If you like to take your dog along on your walking holidays we are a pet friendly hotel and would welcome your dog as well. 

For the novice there are some wonderful short walks around the hotel along the river banks and we can show you a couple of pleasant circular walks that will take you a bit longer but do not require you to have specialist walking shoes.  There are some nice walks around Builth Wells, and we will provide you with a copy of the Office Guide that gives you good directions and information about the walks.

For the experienced walker we have the Epynt Way on our doors step which is 50 miles long and has a series of 5 circular routes linked to local towns, inns and railway stations, two of which are accessible by foot from The Cammarch. Visit www.dtewalesandwest.co.uk

The wonderful Elan Valley is another amazing place to walk.  You can walk around the 6 dams and reservoirs all within 70 sq miles of spectacular scenic beauty which is guaranteed to make a lasting impression on you.   Visit: www.elanvalley.org.uk

The Cammarch is just 30 minutes drive over the magnificent Epynt to Brecon where you can take advantage of the many formal trails and pathways on the Brecon Beacons.  Visit www.goforawalk.com for suggested walks and detailed maps.  Or visit www.wales1000things.com for ideas and of course, www.visitwales.com is a must to check out.

The Cammarch welcomes cyclists, and we have good facilities that we think you will find really useful such as: a secure place to keep your bikes, a place to wash your bikes down after a muddy days cycling and a drying room for any wet gear. 

We are lucky to be situated in a place of outstanding beauty and we have several cycling paths and routes that you will be sure to enjoy. 

Epynt Way:
On our door step we have the Epynt Way which is 50 miles long and has a series of 5 circular routes linked to local towns, inns and railway stations, two of which are just a short ride from The Cammarch. Visit www.dtewalesandwest.co.uk

Abergwesyn Valley:
Just 15 minutes from the Cammarch you can cycle the old drovers track through to Tregaran where you will find beauty and solitude. 

Llanwrtyd Wells
Just 3 miles from the Cammarch is the smallest town in Britain, home to Bog Snorkelling and other wacky events including the annual Wobble Event, which is a 20 mile circuit for cyclist of all kinds but mostly mountain bikers. 

The town is ideally situated with thousands of acres of forest and hillside very close by.  There are a variety of way marked trails that incorporates rides suitable for families and ordinary cyclists alike. Once you have cycled through the forest tracks and green valleys and rolling hills you will reach the more challenging mountain areas not for the faint hearted I would say!

Leading off from the main street in Llanwrtyd are a number of cycle trails:

Victoria Wells Trail:
The Victoria Wells trail, 12.9kms (approx. 8 miles). This is a relatively easy route, but there are some steady climbs and one slightly tricky descent. Allow about 1.5 hours

Garn Trail:
The Garn trail is 17.5kms (approx. 11 miles). This route is a bit tougher and there are some quite long climbs including one technical climb and two short technical descents. Allow about 2 hours

Esgair Dafydd Trail:
The Esgair Dafydd trail is 26kms (approx. 16.2 miles). There is one steep and two long steady climbs with some stony patches. Allow between 3-4 hours

Irfon Forest Trail:
The Irfon Forest trail is 20.5kms (approx. 12.5 miles). There is quite a bit of climbing involved with this trail but the scenery is well worth the effort. Some of the climbs are long and there are some technical descents. Allow between 2-3 hours

Mynydd Trawsnant Trail:
Mynydd Trawsnant trail is 27.6kms (approx. 17.2 miles). This is an undulating route with some great scenery. Allow between 3-4 hours.

There are also a number of routes using the minor roads, including:

The Three Rivers: 30.5kms (approx. 19 miles). This is an amazing ride through the rolling valleys of the Afon, Irfon, Cammarch and Cnyffiad. Allow about 4 hours

The Irfon View: 14kms (approx. 8.7 miles). This is an ideal family route through Llangammarch Wells. Allow about 1-2 hours

The trail information was provided by www.walesdirectory.co.uk

Brecon Beacons:
Nothing beats the Brecon Beacons for mountain bikers, take a 30 minute scenic drive to one of the 5 mountain bike centres in the National Park and choose from 16 single track routes.  All the routes are graded according to complexity and you can purchase water proof route maps and descriptions see www.mtbbreconbeacons.co.uk