Machynlleth

Machynlleth
Market town
Machynlleth Clock Tower
Machynlleth is located in Powys
Machynlleth
Machynlleth
Location within Powys
Population2,235 (2011)
OS grid referenceSH745005
Community
  • Machynlleth
Principal area
Preserved county
  • Powys
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townMACHYNLLETH
Postcode districtSY20
Dialling code01654
PoliceDyfed-Powys
FireMid and West Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
  • Gwynedd Maldwyn

Machynlleth (Welsh: [maˈχənɬɛθ] ⓘ) is a market town, community and electoral ward in Powys, Wales, and within the historic boundaries of Montgomeryshire. It is in the Dyfi Valley at the intersection of the A487 and the A489 roads. It has a population of 2,098 (2024 mid-year estimate). At the 2001 Census it had a population of 2,147, rising to 2,235 in 2011 and falling slightly to 2,163 in 2021. It is sometimes referred to colloquially as Mach.

Machynlleth was the seat of Owain Glyndŵr's Welsh Parliament in 1404, and as such claims to be the "ancient capital of Wales". However, it has never held any official recognition as a capital. It applied for city status in 2000 and 2002, but was unsuccessful. It is twinned with Belleville, Michigan.

Machynlleth hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1937 and 1981. The town falls within the catchment area and is involved in the 2027 Maldwyn Meirionnydd National Eisteddford to be held in nearby Glanytwymyn.