Knighton, Powys
Knighton is an attractive border town - the Eastern edge of the town is actually in England but the main part is in Wales. The main street is topped by the clock tower beside which you will find half-timbered houses crowded along sloping, winding streets known locally as "The Narrows".
There is evidence of settlement in the Knighton area dating back to the Stone Age but the current town is mostly mediaeval in origin. There is a Town Trail that takes visitors around the places and buildings of historic interest in the town including a section of Offa’s Dyke and ‘Bryn y Castell’ – one of two Norman castle mounds in Knighton (the second is in a private garden).
The Offa’s Dyke Centre offers an attractive interactive exhibition that allows visitors to explore the Dyke, its associated long distance footpath, and the border area in general, through interactive displays and graphic display panels. The free exhibition covers the construction of Offa's Dyke, the Welsh Princes of the Anglo-Saxon period, the flora and fauna of the area, the history of Knighton and the maintenance of the Dyke and the National Trail. The Offa’s Dyke Centre also hosts the local Tourist Information Centre and a small souvenir shop.
Shopping
Knighton still has many independent shops to browse through or you can enjoy a quiet drink in a characterful inn. Close to Ffrydd House is a large supermarket, part of an independent local chain, a veritable 'Tardis' where you can find almost everything, 7 days a week. It also includes a butchers, a filling station and the town post office. There are 2 other smaller supermarkets in the town usually open until late evening.
There is also the Tower House Art Gallery where you can view and buy work by local artists.
Outdoor Equipment can be bought from three shops in Knighton depending on what you need. The shoe shop sells walking boots and walking poles; the Choice Saddlery Workshop sells NikWax waterproofing products and some outdoor clothes; a range of outdoor equipment can also be bought in the Offa’s Dyke Centre.
If you really want to spoil yourself after a hard day of outdoor activity, or simply to relax, you could book a treatment at Elaine’s Beauty Spot - a few seconds walk away from Ffrydd House. Services include manicures, pedicures, reflexology and massage; they also offer foot spas! You generally need to book ahead so if you are interested please let us know and we can make a booking on your behalf.
A Farmers and Craft Market is held every third Saturday in the Knighton Community Centre behind Tuffins supermarket. Knighton has a Barclays Bank, an HSBC Bank (both have an ATM/cash machine), several hairdressers and a pharmacy. Knighton also has a modern leisure centre with a swimming pool - a short walk from Ffrydd House.
Eating Out
Opposite Ffrydd House is the delicious, award winning Saffron Indian Restaurant and Takeaway. Several pubs in Knighton offer food including the Horse and Jockey and the George & Dragon. The Horse & Jockey also offers a takeaway pizza service. There is a Fish’n’Chip shop, a kebab shop, a Chinese takeaway and Butterfingers sandwich shop in the pedestrianised High Street (or the Narrows as it is called locally).Teas, coffees and light meals can be purchased at JDs Café, the Horse & Jockey, Butterfingers sandwich shop and tea-rooms within the Art Gallery and the Prince & Pugh hardware store.
Further afield the gastro-pubs of The Stagg at Titley (10 miles / 16km away) and The Riverside at Aymestry (12miles / 20km away) both offer excellent food. The Riverside featured in The Guardian newspaper as one of the five best riverside pubs in the UK. Closer to the town is the Milebrook Hotel.