Powys is the largest county in Wales positioned on the East of the country, with a population of over 131,000 and an area of 3228 sq miles.

The main county town of Powys is Newtown, population over 12,000, lies on the River Severn and is famous as the birth place of social reformer Robert Owen who is credited with helping to invent socialism and the co-operative movement. His theories were later adopted by Karl Marx among others, Wales being renowned for its involvement in the Labour movement since the Industrial Revolution.

Castles and keeps in Powys include: Dolforwyn Castle, Montgomery Castle, Powis Castle, Tretower Castle and Aberedw Castle.

Powys is a mountainous region with road travel being especially problematic; the Black Mountains form part of the Brecon Beacons and are partly in Herefordshire in England.