Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership

What Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership does

The Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership is an accredited Community Rail Partnership that promotes and develops the 121-mile Heart of Wales Line railway between Swansea and Shrewsbury via the rural uplands of Carmarthenshire, Powys and Shropshire, and the 41 intermediate stations. The organisation is hosted by the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO), the County Voluntary Council for Powys, and is accredited by the Department for Transport through the Community Rail Network, with funding from Welsh Government.

The CRP's core products centre on the 141-mile Heart of Wales Line Trail (opened Spring 2019), a long-distance walking route weaving between stations from Craven Arms to Llanelli; Station Walks and the family-focused Ramble & Scramble routes; the Trail Passport stamp-collecting scheme; GPX route downloads; the Make and Trade directory of local businesses; and accommodation listings. Revenue is generated primarily through Welsh Government grants and DfT accreditation support, supplemented by a £15/year Friends of the Heart of Wales Line Trail membership (administered by the CIO established in late 2023) and Trail Passport sales via sumupstore.com. Pricing for rail services is set by Transport for Wales, including the £20 Heart of Wales Railcard for route residents and the Heart of Wales Circular Ranger day ticket.

Customer segments include day trippers and walkers, rural communities dependent on the rail link, long-distance trail hikers, and local makers/traders. The partnership model relies on Transport for Wales (which operates the seven-days-a-week rail service), Network Rail, four county councils and their Rights of Way teams, plus multiple walking associations (Ramblers, Long Distance Walkers Association, Rail Ramblers, Walkers are Welcome). Distribution spans Transport for Wales' website, mobile app, ticket offices at Shrewsbury/Llandrindod/Llanelli/Swansea, on-train purchasing, and the Friends' e-commerce storefront.

Name

Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership

Legal name

Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership

Website

https://heart-of-wales.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership is an accredited nonprofit promoting the 121-mile Heart of Wales railway between Swansea and Shrewsbury, and the adjoining 141-mile walking trail, serving rural communities, day trippers, walkers and local businesses across Mid Wales and the Borders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Rail Partnership Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Rail Transportation (488210), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Rail Journey Package Tour Operators (THAKADAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hiking, Trekking & Backpacking Tour Operators (THAAADAA)

Keywords

• Community rail partnership
• Railway line promotion
• Long-distance walking trail
• Rural tourism development
• Sustainable transport advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Llandeilo

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: The CRP receives core funding support from Welsh Government and is accredited by the Department for Transport (DfT). Funding comes through government channels for community rail development activities.
2. Membership Fees (Friends of Heart of Wales Line Trail): The Friends of the Heart of Wales Line Trail, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation established in late 2023, receives membership contributions at £15 per year to support ongoing development and maintenance of the trail.
3. Trail Passport Sales: The Heart of Wales Line Trail Passport is sold through the Friends organization website (sumupstore.com) to support trail upkeep and provide a record of walkers' journeys along the 141-mile trail.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership promotes and develops the 121-mile Heart of Wales railway line between Swansea and Shrewsbury. The organization manages the associated 141-mile Heart of Wales Line Trail, a long-distance walking route weaving between stations, and supports rural communities, visitors, and local businesses through tourism, accommodation listings, walking route guides, and a Trail Passport stamp-collecting scheme.

Product overview

The Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership operates a tourism and community engagement platform centered around the 121-mile Heart of Wales railway line between Swansea and Shrewsbury. The core products include the Heart of Wales Line Trail (a 141-mile walking trail with GPX downloads and a Trail Passport stamp scheme), Station Walks, Ramble & Scramble family walks, a Make and Trade directory of local businesses, and Accommodation Listings. The organization promotes sustainable rail travel and rural economic development through these interconnected walking and tourism products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Heart of Wales Line Trail A 141-mile (227 km) long-distance walking trail weaving between stations from Craven Arms in Shropshire to Llanelli, enabling walkers to use the train to start or end their journey. The trail focuses on slow, scenic travel experience and bringing economic benefit to businesses and communities along the line.
• Trail Passport A record-keeping passport scheme for trail walkers to collect stamps at 16 towns and villages along the Heart of Wales Line Trail. Walkers collecting 10 or more stamps can claim a free trail gift and certificate.
• GPX Route Downloads Downloadable GPS route files for each section of the Heart of Wales Line Trail, allowing walkers to navigate using smartphone apps and GPS devices.
• Station Walks Short walks from stations along the Heart of Wales Line, providing accessible walking routes for visitors and locals to explore the communities along the railway. Includes specific walks from Broome, Cynghordy, Knighton, Knucklas, Llandeilo, Llandovery, Llandybie, Llangynllo, and Llanwrtyd stations.
• Ramble & Scramble Family-friendly walks complete with fascinating facts about the local area, designed for visitors with children.
• Make and Trade Directory A directory showcasing local makers, traders, and businesses along the Heart of Wales Line, promoting local economic development and sustainable travel.
• Accommodation Listings A directory of accommodation providers along the Heart of Wales Line for trail walkers and visitors, including B&Bs, holiday cottages, and camping sites.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Transport for WalescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransport for Wales operates the seven days/week train service on the Heart of Wales Line. The CRP works with Transport for Wales to improve and promote the railway line, including joint marketing for events like the Royal Welsh Show.
• Community Rail NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CRP is accredited by the Community Rail Network, which administers the accreditation system for CRPs in England and Wales. The Network offers support and advice through membership, connecting partnerships and groups, and advocates for community rail with government, the rail industry, and the wider voluntary and community sector.
• Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPAVO is the host organization for the Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership. As the County Voluntary Council for Powys, PAVO supports the third sectors in the county with volunteering, good governance, sustainable funding, and engagement and influencing.
• Arriva Trains WalesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreviously operated the Heart of Wales Line before Transport for Wales. Funded the original feasibility study for the Heart of Wales Line Trail in 2015.
• Network RailminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInfrastructure partner supporting the Heart of Wales Line and associated trail development.
• Heart of Wales Line Travellers' AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTravel association partner supporting the Heart of Wales Line Trail.
• Ramblers Holidays Charitable TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable trust supporting long-distance walking routes including the Heart of Wales Line Trail.
• Long Distance Walkers AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization for the walking trail.
• Rail RamblersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRail and walking enthusiasts organization supporting the trail.
• Lower Wye Valley RamblersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWalking group supporting the Heart of Wales Line Trail.
• Walkers are Welcome (Llandovery)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWalkers are Welcome town initiative supporting trail walking in Llandovery.
• Lampeter and Llanelli RamblersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Ramblers group supporting the trail.
• REPTAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRail user group supporting the Heart of Wales Line.
• Rights of Way Teams (Shropshire, Powys, Carmarthenshire, City and County of Swansea)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal authority teams that helped build and maintain the trail, including path maintenance and rights of way management.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• North Yorkshire Moors Railway: Heritage railway operating scenic services through the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Comparable as a tourist-focused rail operation in a UK national park/area of outstanding natural beauty with strong walking, leisure, and event-driven demand.
• Welsh Highland Railway: Narrow-gauge heritage railway running through Snowdonia from Caernarfon to Porthmadog. Comparable as a Welsh heritage/tourist railway focused on scenic journeys, walking tourism, and visitor experiences in rural Wales.
• Snowdon Mountain Railway: Heritage tourist railway ascending Snowdon in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, Wales. Comparable as a Welsh scenic/heritage railway serving walkers, outdoor tourism, and visitors to a national park with seasonal demand patterns.

Direct peers

• Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership: One of the largest UK Community Rail Partnerships, promoting rural and scenic rail travel in Devon and Cornwall. Comparable as an accredited CRP promoting sustainable rural tourism, walking links, and community engagement along scenic branch lines.
• Lakes Line Community Rail Partnership: UK Community Rail Partnership serving the Windermere branch line into the Lake District. Comparable as a CRP promoting scenic rural rail tourism, walking connections from stations, and partnerships with local tourism bodies.
• Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line: A volunteer/community organization that supports and promotes the Settle-Carlisle railway, a long-distance scenic rural rail line in northern England. Directly comparable as a community-led support model for a rural railway line, with similar tourism promotion, membership, and station-based walking themes.
• Cambrian Railway Partnership: Welsh rail partnership promoting the Cambrian Line in Mid and North Wales. Directly comparable as a Welsh rail partnership promoting rural community rail tourism, walking, and local economic development along a scenic route.

Others

• Community Rail Network: UK-wide membership body that accredits and supports Community Rail Partnerships. Comparable as the umbrella organization that defines the CRP operating model, administers accreditation, and connects the Heart of Wales Line CRP with peers and government funders.
• Ramblers: UK-wide walking charity promoting access to paths and walking rights. Comparable as an established walking-tourism advocacy and membership organization whose charitable mission, volunteer model, and policy engagement overlap significantly with the Heart of Wales Line Trail.
• Long Distance Walkers Association: UK charity supporting long-distance walking routes. Already a partner of the Heart of Wales Line CRP and directly comparable as an organization whose members constitute a primary customer segment for the 141-mile trail.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HeartWalesLine
• Facebookfacebook.com/heartwalesline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heartwalesline

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership