16 tourism projects across Powys are underway after the county council successfully secured £300,000 in Welsh Government funding.

The money, part of the Brilliant Basics programme, covers 80% of the cost, with local organisations contributing the remaining 20% and investing an additional £75,000.

The projects, which must be completed by March 2027, aim to improve visitor facilities, promote environmentally sustainable tourism, and enhance accessibility at popular destinations across the county.

Locally several schemes have been awarded funding, including improvements to picnic areas along the Brecon Canal with a £23,600 grant for Glandŵr Cymru. Cultivate (Newtown) received £6,937.60 to develop Powys Food Trails in Brecon and Welshpool, while Talgarth Regeneration Group was awarded £19,115 for local signage, orientation boards, and a compostable toilet.

Presteigne Town Council will use £12,000 to improve access and create accessible paths at Went’s Meadow, and Hay Town Council secured £7,680 for a historic town guide, signage, book bench, town boards, and flags.

Rhayader Town Council received £34,400 for a new 3.5-mile Dragon Trail, Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust was awarded £24,000 to repurpose a wildlife hide and provide interpretation, and Powys County Council’s Countryside Services received £24,000 to create new walking routes in Llansilin, Carreghofa, and Llanwrtyd Wells.

Machynlleth Town Council secured £22,800 for solar panels, pay gates, benches, showers, chemical waste disposal, and flower beds. Knighton Tourism Group received £21,316 to improve signage and interpretation, while Friends of the Heart-of-Wales Line Trail were awarded £18,502.94 to reroute a section of the trail and provide off-road access. The Elan Valley Trust will install a section of boardwalk and a new footbridge with £17,280, and Llanfyllin Town Council received £17,040 to improve wetland access, including disabled access. Newtown Town Council secured £16,000 to clear and redevelop Newtown Castle Motte with improved access and interpretation, Powys County Council Highways received £8,000 to install new bins at key destinations, and Knighton Woodland Tots received £1,552 for a river bathing signal system.

Cllr James Gibson-Watt, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: “Priority areas for this funding round included alleviating pressures at tourism 'hot spots', promoting environmentally sustainable destinations, enhancing accessibility, and improving the overall visitor experience, and we believe the projects we are supporting meet these aims. Tourism is very important to the Powys economy, and we are very grateful to Welsh Government for awarding us the maximum amount available: £300,000.”

For more information on Powys tourism, contact: [email protected]