The River Banwy is a river about 30 km long in NW Powys in Wales. It is a tributary of the River Vyrnwy.
The river rises in the hills near the pass which takes the A458 between Mallwyd and Welshpool. The river is called Nant Cerrig-y-groes at its source near Moel y Llyn. It then flows east, and joins a number of lesser streams before reaching Pont Twrch near the village of Y Foel, at its confluence with the river Twrch. Two miles further on, it is joined by the river Gam, which flows down from the Nant yr Eira, between Y Foel and Llangadfan.
After flowing past the small village of Llanerfyl, the river meanders between hills of moderate altitude and arrives at Llanfair Caereinion where it is bridged. For the last 5 miles (8 km) of its course it turns northwards through a narrow valley. 'Yr Hafesb' is its local name here. It passes Mathrafal, the seat and court of the kings of Powys. One mile to the north it reaches the River Vyrnwy near Newbridge.
Coordinates: 52°41′36″N 3°16′09″W / 52.69335°N 3.26926°W