Major city · United Kingdom
NewtownY Drenewydd
Give Newtown one night as a Cambrian Line stop: the town centre walks in 2 hours, so pair it with a day trip or pass through.
Newtown is a small Mid Wales town on the River Severn, best known as the birthplace of social reformer Robert Owen and for its 19th-century flannel mills. The compact centre of independent shops, pubs and an indoor market takes half a day. Most travellers use it as a rail stop between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth, or as a base for the surrounding hills and castles.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, wet, some attractions closed)
- Airports
- BHX · MAN
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Newtown999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Newtown, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA low-crime small town; the real risks are wet, slippery pavements, unlit rural lanes after dark and fast A-road traffic if you walk between villages.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 112 police, fire, ambulance (eu-wide) · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBHX Birmingham (About 2 h 30 min by train via Shrewsbury).
- Getting aroundThe town centre is walkable in 15 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- BeerPint of beer£4–5.50 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across town£6–10 (≈ US$8–14)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B or pub double room, a night, per room£100 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedB&B or pub double room, a night, per room£160 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £75 (≈ US$100) · High £130 (≈ US$180)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BHX Birmingham (About 2 h 30 min by train via Shrewsbury) · MAN Manchester (About 3 h by train via Shrewsbury)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Jun (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Newtown: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
15 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
14 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
14 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town centre is walkable in 15 minutes end to end. Trains on the Cambrian Line run east to Shrewsbury and Birmingham, west to Machynlleth and Aberystwyth, and along the coast to Pwllheli. Buses connect Llandrindod Wells, Llanidloes and Shrewsbury. For Dolforwyn Castle and Gregynog Hall you need a car, taxi or a long walk.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45 min
Cambrian Line train west, about 30 min
Market town with the Owain Glyndŵr centre; easy half day.
Door to door: About 35 min
Cambrian Line train east, about 20 min
Powis Castle and the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway.
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus from Newtown; check the timetable
Victorian spa town; buses are infrequent, so check return times.
Door to door: About 30 min
Bus or car via the A483
Small town with a castle and Georgian streets.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car via the A483 and A438; no direct train
Bookshops and the Wye; better with a car.
Rhayader
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car via the A470; check bus options
Gateway to the Elan Valley reservoirs and dams.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Car via the A470; no direct train
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep one night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Broad Street and The Cross)
Walk to the museums, market and pubs; the station is a 5-min walk.
Dolfor and Kerry (south of town)
Country B&Bs and self-catering; you need a car or taxi.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–110 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
- High
- £110 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or pub double room1 × 1 night × £100 | £100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £75 | £150 |
| Cambrian Line train from Shrewsbury, one way2 × £15 | £30 |
| Bus day ticket, one day2 × £8 | £16 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £32 |
| Trip total≈ £174 per person per day, bed included | £348≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Newtown excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub lunch or café main | £9–16 (≈ US$12–25) |
| Pint of beer | £4–5.50 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Taxi across town | £6–10 (≈ US$8–14) |
| Train Newtown to Shrewsbury | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–15 (≈ US$11–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rural bus services are infrequent and some stop early; check the last departure before you rely on it.
- Some attractions are seasonal or run limited hours: check before travelling.
- Mobile signal is patchy in the hills around town.
- The Tour de France is scheduled to pass through in July 2027; expect road closures and check local media.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police, fire, ambulance (EU-wide)
- 112
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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NewtownY Drenewydd
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
I'r cyfeiriad hwn, os gwelwch yn ddaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- Police, fire, ambulance (EU-wide)112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Newtown; the nearest consulates and embassies are in Cardiff and London.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Newtown → Shrewsbury, Cambrian Line: about £12–18 (≈ US$16–25), about 1 h
- Newtown → Machynlleth, Cambrian Line: about £8–12 (≈ US$11–16), about 30 min
- Taxi across town: £6–10 (≈ US$8–14)
Say or show
- Helo — Hello (HEH-loh)
- Diolch — Thank you (DEE-olch)
- Os gwelwch yn dda — Please (os GWEL-ookh un thah)
- Hwyl fawr — Goodbye (hoo-il VOWER)
- Ble mae'r orsaf? — Where is the station? (bleh mire OR-sav)
- Faint yw e? — How much is it? (vint yoo eh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Newtown. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, wet, some attractions closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BHX and MAN: last train times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: The Cross and Broad Street, the textile museum and market, the station approach.
- Place pages with verified hours (Robert Owen Museum, Newtown Textile Museum, Dolforwyn Castle) and eat pages with last orders.
- Tour de France 2027 road-closure fixture so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Newtown
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