Like so many Marches towns, Knighton has a foot in both England and Wales. The English name explains how the town was created (Knight Settlement) and it is likely that the area was given to a Marcher Lord as recompense for services to the English king. The Welsh name (Tref-y-Clawdd) is simply descriptive, translating as Town on The Dyke. Since 1535, and the Acts of Union, Knighton has officially been a Welsh town, initially in Radnorshire and now in Powys.



A haven for walkers, Knighton is one of the best access points to Offa’s Dyke Path, and is the location of the Offa’s Dyke Association Visitor’ Centre. There is also the Glyndwr's Way and Watt’s Dyke is also nearby. For horse-riders, and mountain bikers, there is the Jack Mytton Way.

The Knighton Carnival in August is always worth a visit, attracting thousands of visitors from across the world, culminating in carnival parades and floats at midday and 8.00pm on the last Saturday of August. There is also much to see in Knighton, with two visible early castle mottes and the Spaceguard Centre, which houses the world’s largest camera obscura as well as a planetarium. And if an earth destroying asteroid is spotted, you’ll be the first to know!