Things to do on rainy days in Mid Wales

A row of historic cottages full of stories, the Newtown Textile Museum is open between May and September (Tuesdays and Thursday to Saturday). This is a tightly designed, early 19th century weaving shop within six back-to-back cottages, all of which would have housed families who worked on the looms. The buildings themselves are remarkable and the relics, artworks and stories they hold are even more intriguing.

Home to the Institute of Art and Ideas in a town known for creativity, The Globe is a vibrant epicentre for everything from poetry and string quartets to comedy and club nights. Visit the cafe for excellent local food, and look out for the art and philosophy festivals held here during the year.

Featuring penny farthings, boneshakers and more. When Mark Cavendish and his athletic rivals passed this place on their 2012 Tour of Britain, they might well have been momentarily distracted by the fleet of timeless bicycle designs on display. Starting from the early 19th century, there are more than 200 beautiful bikes to be enjoyed here at the National Cycle Museum.

Y Plas is a Grade II listed Georgian mansion left to the people of Machynlleth in 1948. This Georgian building is set within its own rolling parkland, having been acquired by the town council 50 years after it was bequeathed. Admire the diverse talents of skilled local artists in the gallery, or relax in the cafe and restaurant.

Exhibitions here are patchy for all the right reasons, as The Welsh Quilt Centre in Lampeter celebrates an inspiring textile and design history with intricately weaved displays in a glorious high street venue. The shop offers thousands of beautiful blankets and quilts, and the deli-style café is run by a husband and wife team.

Hear tales of murder, dastardly trials and the servants who worked in the quarters below The Judge's Lodging at this grand 19th century house nodding to almost 500 years of judicial history. It's a murky, gaslit world to step into, with Victorian activity boxes for kids and some gruesome surprises for adults.

There are eight craft studios, including the Quarry Pottery workshop, the flame work glass sculptures of Delyn Glass, the natural forest furniture of Taran Eco Designs, and working goldsmith’s studio, Agau Jewellery. The Corris Craft Centre is the starting point for Corris Mine Explorers trips around the tunnels of the Braich Goch slate mine. In the spring and summer months you can journey through the caverns and tunnels of King Arthur’s Labyrinth, beneath the mountains of southern Eryri (Snowdonia).