Rhayaderis a busy, historic market town, named after 'rhayadr Gwy', a Welsh name for a local waterfall on the Wye. It is actually the very first town on the banks of the beautiful River Wye and has long been an important centre for the surrounding farming community, with its flourishing livestock market.

The town dates back to the fifth century, although prehistoric evidence suggests earlier Bronze Age and Roman settlements in the area. In 1177 the Lord Rhys of Deheubarth constructed a castle in the town which sat at the very edge of his lands in order to resist Norman invaders, and in 1194 he rebuilt it, making it stronger and more durable to invasions. It was known as the Castle of Gwyrtheyrnion, and like many castles in Wales, passed hands between various Welsh princes, lords and the Norman invaders innumerable times until it was destroyed by fire in 1231 by soldiers from North Wales.

The centre of the town forms a crossroads between important routes from north to south and east to west Wales, and is marked by the clock tower. This was an important 19th century staging post on the famous coach road from Aberystwyth to London. During the 18th and 19th century, sheep and cattle drovers crossing the Cambrian Mountains on their journey towards the English market towns of Banbury, Hereford and London would often stop at Rhayader for lodging and provisions.

Its strategic position in the heartlands of Wales and at a crossroads meant that during the nineteenth century no fewer than six toll gates were placed on the roads in and out of the town. This made journeys bringing animals into market expensive and became a real burden on the lives of the poor. When prices of stock fell and harvests were poor, these tolls became an impossible burden. As a result, between 1839 and 1844 the area witnessed mass demonstrations known as the Rebecca Riots, when local people, angered by the increasing financial pressure, followed a group of local tenant farmers and workers dressed as woman, known as Rebecca and her daughters. It is thought that the idea for this disguise came from the Bible. In Genesis, Rebecca recommended that some "possess the gates of those which hate them".

Today, this interesting market town is a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside. It boasts a lovely riverside walk and is home to Welsh Royal Crystal. Gigrin Farmjust outside the town is a designated red kite feeding area and visitors can watch the breathtaking arial feats of these beautiful birds who have returned from the point of extinction in Wales.