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Special Offers
Enjoy a well-deserved 20% discount on entry to CAT when you arrive by bus or bike! Public transport or under your own steam is the best way to reach us and we're delighted to sweeten the deal with some money off. Show your bus ticket when you arrive!
Details
Start: Centre for Alternative Technology
(C.A.T) car park
Grid Reference: SH 754 044
Distance: 7.1 km – 4.4 miles
Grade: Moderate (some steep sections)
Terrain: Firm tracks, roads and open grassland
Maps: OS Explorer OL23 or 215
Refreshments: Café at C.A.T, Dwynant pub - Ceinws
1. Walk back to the car park entrance A and turn R up the road to reach a sign for Llwyngwern Farm, then turn R to follow the drive up around the back of the house. Follow track uphill through G, then a second G on your L before walking through 4 consecutive Gs next to a sheep enclosure.
2 Just beyond where the RH fence ends, bear L to follow a faint path uphill. As the path peters out continue to climb upwards veering slightly L around the dome of the hill. When you see the turbine to the R head for it over the brow of the hill. 100 m before you reach a G below the turbine B turn R. Go through a G above a bog on the R, then gradually close with the forestry to reach the LH corner of the field.
3. Turn L through G and follow the fence through another G, keeping L until you reach the top of the bank. As you start to drop down walk past a pond C on your L to reach a sheep enclosure and another marshy pond.
4. Go through Gs to the L of the enclosure, then half L to walk down and through a dip in the hill to reach a G on the woodland boundary. Through G and follow track on round a sharp bend. As the track starts to bear L, turn R next to a waymarked post down the bank to reach a S. Go over it and keep parallel with the LH fence to go through a G on L, then turn sharp
L to walk up through the trees to reach a forestry track junction.
5 Walk directly across the junction and up the track to reach a waymarked post. Turn L to follow a shale path before re-joining the forestry track higher up. Turn L then continue along the track, before turning R at the next junction. When you reach a waymarked post, turn L then R where the path splits to go through a G below a turbine.
6. Retrace your outward steps over the brow of the hill and down heading for the track and fence corner below at 2. Go through a G on L, then walk diagonally downhill to reach a G on the woodland boundary.
7. Go through the G and follow the path down through the woodland (keep away from the quarry D edge to the L) to reach the car park.
Walk Route: Moderate
Miles: 5
Prices
Free entry
Also at this Venue
Events at this Venue
date | event |
---|---|
Sat 13 Mar | Spoon Carving |
Sat 1 - Sun 2 May | Introduction to Renewables for Households |
Sat 8 May | Secret Life of Birds Experience Day |
Sat 15 May | Moth Night Experience |
Sat 22 May | Nature Detectives Family Day |
Sat 29 May | Nature Detectives Family Day |
Address
Llwyngwern Quarry,
Pantperthog,
Machynlleth,
Powys,
SY20 9AZ
Directions
Map reference: SH 755044 Lat: 52.62305 Long: -3.84062
CAT is currently open for pre-booked tickets only. To book, please visit www.cat.org.uk/book
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The Centre for Alternative technology is ideally situated right in the heart of Mid Wales, just two hours by train from Birmingham International Airport and Train Station.
CAT is located three miles north of Machynlleth on the A487, look out for the brown signs.
By Public Transport
Travel Planner - https://www.traveline.cymru/
Bus services run from Machynlleth and other major towns. The T2 runs regular routes from Aberystwyth to Bangor. The T2 also passes the centre as well. It's worth looking online if you're planning to travel by bus and ask the driver about the best place to alight for the centre.
National Cycle Network Route 8 passes via CAT's entrance and the road from Mach to CAT is quiet and safe (see map above).
Trains are frequent and it doesn't take long to get from the Midlands to Machynlleth
By Car:
Free car parking at Visitor Centre.
EV Car Charging point: Free to Cat Visitors - notify reception on arrival and they will assist you with the charging facilities.
Parking: free
Accessible by Public Transport: 3 miles from Machynlleth station
Nearby
Facilities
Baby changing facilities
Coach parties accepted
Credit cards accepted (no fee)
Disabled toilets
Education/study area
Facilities for groups
Facilities for educational visits
Gift shop
On-site catering
On-site light refreshments
Picnic site
Public toilets
Pushchairs available
Regional Tourist Board Member
Telephone (public)
Welcome Host
Wheelchairs available
Accepts groups
Facilities for conferencing
Facilities for corporate hospitality
Electric car charging point
Children welcome
Dogs accepted
Self-Assessed Accessibility Details
Parking
Designated parking for guests with disabilities
Within 50 metres approx. of entrance
- The surface of the car park and pathway leading to entrance:
is gravel
Drop-off point for guests outside entrance
- The route from the parking area to the entrance:
Has a ramp
Public Areas
- Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift:
From the entrance to reception / ticket area
To a specially adapted public toilet suitable for wheelchair users
To the gift shop
Good contrast between the floor and walls
Contrast markings on clear surfaces such as glass doors
Baby changing facilities
Visitor information available in large print (14pt and over)
General
Seating available for visitors with limited mobility
Clear signage
Good colour/tonal contrast for visually impaired visitors
Wheelchairs provided
Free
Routes/pathways suitable for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility
Displays at suitable height for wheelchair users / children
Audible alarm system
Entrance
Steps to the main entrance
- 30Number of steps to entrance
Handrail by steps
Ramp to entrance
Handrail by ramp
Entrance is well lit
Food
Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift to cafeteria
Good contrast between the floor and walls
Menus available in large print (14pt and over)
- Restaurant / cafe provide meals for visitors with special dietary requirements:
Sugar free (diabetic)
Gluten free (coeliacs)
Lactose free (dairy free)
Nut free
Additive free
Organic
Vegetarian
Vegan
Seating suitable for wheelchair users, ie moveable and good height for person sitting in a wheelchair
High chairs for children
Children's menu
Notes
There is disabled parking at the top of both driveways. Please don't hesitate to call us on 01654 705989 for more information.