Radnorshire

Radnorshire is a historic county of Wales, located in mid Wales. Since 1974 it has formed part of the administrative county of Powys, and since 1996 it sits within the Powys unitary authority. It is a largely rural region characterized by upland terrain, with the Cambrian Mountains to the north and Radnor Forest to the west. The area is drained by tributaries of the River Wye and other Welsh rivers, forming a mosaic of valleys and small settlements. The Elan Valley Reservoirs, built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to supply Birmingham, lie in the southern part of the historic county.

The historic county includes several market towns, notably Llandrindod Wells, Rhayader, Knighton and Presteigne, and a number of smaller villages. Knighton sits on the English border near Offa’s Dyke, a historic boundary path that remains popular with walkers. Presteigne is known for its well-preserved medieval core and the Judge’s Lodgings, a reminder of the area’s legal history.

The economy is primarily rural, with agriculture and tourism forming mainstays; rural conservation and outdoor recreation are important to the region. Cultural and historical resources include the Radnorshire Museum in Llandrindod Wells and local heritage landscapes. The name and identity of Radnorshire persist in historic references and in the broad regional sense within Powys.