Article from Brecon Beacons National Park
Last Updated: 09 March 2008 14:47
Attractions
There are masses of places to go and things to do whether you are a family, a group or travelling on your own. Fabulous castles, deep showcaves and fascinating museums will enthral young and old alike. Here are just a few...
From annual events such as the internationally renowned Hay Festival of Literature and Brecon Jazz festival to adventure sports, open days, guided walks and children's activities.
National Park Visitor Centre
Find out more about the whole of the Park, its history and its people at the National Park Visitor Centre with its events, displays and restaurant/teashop.
Craig-y-nos Country Park
A Park within a Park. You’ll find tall trees, two rivers, ponds and meadows to walk around and enjoy. We have plenty of seats and picnic benches too. Most of the paths in the Country Park are on level or gently sloping ground and some have hard surfaces.
Brecon Mountain Railway
Come and enjoy the Brecon Mountain Railway (01685 722988) - a wonderful narrow gauge steam railway.
Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
The construction of canals was of huge importance to the progress of the Industrial Revolution. The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal winds through the National Park and is now a quiet haven to walk along, take a day trip or hire a boat for a peaceful week. The Taff Trail cycling route runs along the first 2 miles from Brecon. Goytre Wharf & Canal Visitor Centre (01873 830328).
Brecon Cathedral Heritage Centre & South Wales Borderers Museum
Visitor Centres and Museums reveal stories of times past - try Brecon Cathedral Heritage Centre, South Wales Borderers Museum or Llandovery Heritage Centre (01550 720693).
Other museums
of interest include Brecknock (Brecon) (01874 624121), Cyfarthfa (Merthyr Tydfil) (01685 723112) and Abergavenny (01873 854282).
Blaenavon World Heritage Site
Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site is developing fast with many landmarks of the Industrial Revolution now accessible. The mighty iron foundry which formed the cutting edge of technology only a short time ago, is now being lovingly restored and interpreted.
Big Pit
At Big Pit nearby, you can actually go down a coal mine guided by men who until recently earned their living literally at the coalface. Then you can explore the landscape around dotted with the remains of this era and imagine the hillsides teeming with the efforts of men, women, children and horses.
Carreg Cennen Castle
Carreg Cennen is a haunting, atmospheric place, a castle that appears to spring out of legend and fairytale.
Dan-yr-Ogof Showcaves
Discover history in ancient hill-forts and burial sites, Roman Roads and heritage centres, the National Showcaves of Wales (with their own dinosaur park), quaint country churches and the Country Park at Craig-y-nos.
The Golden Valley
You can easily visit the famous Golden Valley in Herefordshire whilst you are here. History and culture wrestle for attention along with good locally produced food (often organic) and rolling meadows and pastures.
More Information
For more information on things to see and do, get your copy of the Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Guide. This full colour 72 page booklet gives huge amounts of information on everything from walking to world heritage but also has full details of some of the best accommodation in the area. Get your copy of the Guide by emailing us your name and address or from Tourist Information Centres across England and Wales. It is widely available within the Park.
