A beer garden with a view - the best pubs in Powys

Pubs are the heartbeat of most communities, a natural and neutral meeting place of minds whose shared love of their local watering hole brings them together.

While many things can make a pub visit pleasurable, one thing we can all agree helps make a pub visit memorable is the views.

So which Powys pubs offer the best, or most unique views. The County Times took to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) site for inspiration.

Get in touch and share pictures of the views on offer at your local pub.

The Talbot Inn, Berriew

Talbot Inn, Berriew. Picture by John Firth/Geograph.

This black and white timbered pub is situated just off the road from Berriew Bridge and adjacent to the River Rhiw.

It is reportedly one of the oldest buildings in the village. The pub is just yards from the Grade II listed aqueduct carrying the Montgomery Canal, which is also forms part of the Severn Way trail and is very popular with walkers.

There are two large rooms containing a large restaurant and a locals bar which has all the usual pub games.

Look out for the rocking pig and a sculpture of 'making bacon in the lounge.' The guest ales are usually sourced from local breweries.

The Raven Inn, Welshpool

Welshpool's Raven Inn. Picture: Geograph.

The pub is situated next to the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway station.

It has an 'olde world' atmosphere and is popular with diners.

There is an old photo in the bar at The Raven which shows the site as a row of old cottages, the centre one being an ale house called The Black Lion. The pub is listed in Slater's Directory of 1858 as the Raven with Samuel Oliver as landlord.

It pre-dates the light railway which opened in 1903. The line now terminates at the rear of the pub, but in former times carried on through the town to a terminus near the main line station.

Reopened in May 2018 after a major refurbishment. It is contemporary, clean and light while maintaining the traditional and historical elements of its previous incarnations.

The Eagles Inn, Rhayader

The Eagles Inn in Rhayader. Picture: Geograph.

Originally called the 'Spread Eagle', the pub is part of a row of cottages and being the oldest pub in town, dates back to 1570.

A traditional family pub with low ceilings, three interconnecting spaces. A pleasant beer garden at the rear with fine views across the Wye Valley.

Harp Inn, Radnor

The Harp Inn. Picture: Geograph.

Named the Good Pub Guide Country Pub of the Year 2020.

The Harp is a lovely old Welsh longhouse inn perched on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful Radnor Valley, close to the Powys/Herefordshire border.

This early 15th century Welsh longhouse commands a fine view over the Radnor Valley. The building was rescued and restored by the Landmark Trust in 1972 and then sold on in 1983.

Independently owned and run by Chris and Angela Ireland with, since 2018, the invaluable support of head chef Josh Smith and general manager Katie Marsden, the Harp is a real pub, with ancient slate floors, oak beams, antique settles and a huge open log fire.