'Apple Pie greetings'
from a fellow American.
Even after 14 years of living in Wales I never cease to be surprised by Llandrindod Wells and this is an excellent opportunity to sing its praises.

As a town its unique and varied shops provide all the necessities I need – from soup to nuts and furnishings & fabrics to computers – plus those really special treats and gifts for celebrations and holidays.

Walking is a great way to see the town centre and I enjoy this is all weathers. There is plenty of public parking and pavements are wide and well-maintained with public amenities (pay phones, post boxes and toilets), green spaces and parks filled with year-round blooms & plantings – making the journey from ‘point a’ to ‘point b’ a pleasure.

 

There are so many lovely spots with benches to rest and contemplate the green and flowery views, to admire public statues and sculptures as well as the preserved Victorian architecture. I love listening to a summer musical performance from the Temple Park gardens bandstand and step back into time during the annual Victorian Festival.

Llandrindod wells is also an area of natural beauty and endless countryside pursuits. It even boasts its own lake (not only for angling but also the starting point of many national car, bike and cycle rallies) and of course the world-famous ‘spa’ (medicinal) waters.
Image ©Ruth Hargest

My favourite place is the ‘Rock Park’, only a stone’s throw from the bustling town centre. It feels like a small slice of my native Northern California relocated to a surround of gently rolling Welsh hillside. It is a steep woody area criss-crossed with pathways and bridges offering picturesque views of the Arlis Brook as it tumbles and thunders its way over the rocks, This brook can be followed downstream on the nature trail until it meets the River Ithon – and nearby Lovers’ Leap.

The Rock Park itself contains a wide variety of plants (including winter snowdrops and spring daffodils & primroses) and some very impressive rhododendrons (originally introduced to the area in the 1870’s). However my favourite is the large Wellington (a Sequoia/Redwood) tree near the stone bridge, which is said to be about 170 years old. It is about 70 ft. tall with a girth of about 4 ft. – some of the Redwoods in California are over 2000 years old with girths of up to 80 ft. and heights of over 300 ft., so this one is still a baby by comparison!

The grey squirrels, who have now completely replaced the red squirrels are very amusing and tame – taking nuts offered by hand and the birdsong on a summer’s day (blue-tits, robins, sparrows, finches, magpies and more) can be a riot of melodic sound.

To sit under the covered courtyard of the Edwardian Restaurant after a long nature walk, sipping hot chocolate or tea, enjoying the sound of the water; song of the birds; antics of the squirrels; and scent of the Redwood and other plants and flowers is an fine way to pass a lazy afternoon – whatever the season in Llandrindod Wells.