Things to do whatever the weather
There are plenty of things to enjoy in the Brecon Beacons come rain or shine! Here are some of our top things to do if its raining or chilly outside…
Go Underground
1. Visit Big Pit-Fully immerse yourself in Wales’ industrial past Big Pit should be on your itinerary. It’s near the Park boundary to the South and the main attraction is the mine underground but don’t miss out the galleries on the hill – well worth a visit.
2. Discover Dolaucothi Gold Mines– The only known Roman Gold Mine in the UK! Discover what life was like for Roman miners, who tunnels through the landscape with only the most basic of hand tools; or for the Victorian miners who used explosives to break through tonnes of shale to get to the precious metal within. There are guided tours running throughout the day between March and November.
3. Explore Dan Yr Ogof Show Caves–If you aren’t quite ready to commit to the full caving experience the Dan yr Ogof Showcaves offers an amazing opportunity to explore caves and admire rock formations, as well as experiencing their dinosaur park!
4. Go Caving–Our caves and caverns have been quietly forming for thousands of years, underground and out of sight. Visitors from all over the world come to the southwest section of the Brecon Beacons National Park to explore these amazing spaces and feel the thrill of discovery. For some, it’s their first ever caving trip, while others have many years of experience. The Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales is one of the most exciting and varied caving areas in Britain. Our Geopark includes four of the five longest limestone cave systems in Britain. Why not explore this fascinating underworld? You can go caving with one of the expert instructors and guides.
For the Family
5. Have a family day out with Cantref Adventure Farm–Whatever the weather Cantref – Brecon’s Biggest Adventure is a fantastic family day out in South Wales! Winners of the UK National Farm Attraction 2017! They have an indoor soft play area, pet handling and big animal barns and a cafe!
6. Stroll through the Old Railway Line Garden Centre– holds regular ‘Wild Wednesday’ events to keep the children entertained, . There is a Farm and gift shop for all your needs, as well as a large cafe serving delicious food daily!
7. Explore with Brecon Mountain Railway–Travel by narrow gauge steam train through beautiful scenery in the Brecon Beacons National Park on one of the most popular routes in Wales. The journey takes you into the Brecon Beacons National Park, through Pontsticill and along the full length of the Taf Fechan Reservoir before climbing to Torpantau high in the Brecon Beacons and the summit of the original line. At our main station in Pant you can visit our Licensed Tearooms for refreshments, gifts and souvenirs are available from our Shop. You can also visit our Workshop where the Steam Locomotives and Carriages are repaired.
8. Go on a walk with a dinkey donkey with Good Day Out. Or try Alpaca trekking with Alpaca my Boots or sheep trekking with Jacob Sheep Trekking
9. Get active at Llangorse Multi Activity Centre -Llangorse Multi Activity Centre is Wales’ Premier Award-Winning Indoor and Outdoor activity centre, set in the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park. For over 55 years, they have offered a cross section of exciting activities for people of all abilities — unrivalled anywhere else in the UK. There is plenty to do indoors- from rock climbing, bouldering, Rope Bridges, Zip Line, Caving and Abseiling!
10. Watch a show at Theatr Brycheiniog–Theatr Brycheiniog is a great place to enjoy live music and shows for all ages in 2018! The Theatr offers a popular and acclaimed programme of performing arts and entertainment throughout the year.
11. Zoom through the air at Zip World Tower
Home to Phoenix and the Tower Coaster, Zip World Tower is the 4th Zip World site to open and is the 1st in South Wales. Nestled in the Rhigos mountain range, and boasting stunning panoramic views, this adventure hub is situated at the old Tower Colliery Coast mining site and has created a new lease of life of this history and widely loved base,
12. Take shelter in one of our many eateries and farmers markets! In the Brecon Beacons, we take food and drink pretty seriously. We’ve got all the right ingredients. Clear air on open hillsides. Fertile valleys. And an abundance of fresh water. From gourmet restaurants with their own cottage gardens to cosy pubs serving local Welsh lamb for Sunday lunch, we have plenty of fine eating places to tempt you. Our traditional Welsh breakfasts are legendary. Our gorgeous cafés and tea shops are enough to make you sigh with happiness. And you’ll find some wonderful goodies for picnics and gifts at our delis, food festivals and farmers’ markets.
Visit our Gardens, Cathedral, Castles and museums
13. Explore the National Botanic Garden of Wales - There are lots of events being held at the National Botanic Garden of Wales all year round. Why not check out their butterfly house? The Garden is open from 10am to 6pm with last entry at 5pm. Home to the British Bird of Prey Centre too. For more information click here.
14. Visit Brecon Cathedral -Brecon Cathedral started life in 1093 as the Benedictine Priory of St John the Evangelist, built by the Normans on the site of an earlier Celtic church. At the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538 it became Brecon’s Parish Church. It became a Cathedral only in 1923, on the establishment of the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon. The Cathedral is at the heart of a Diocese which stretches from Beguildy in the North to the beautiful Gower Peninsula in the South, including most of the Brecon Beacons National Park and the City of Swansea.
15. Explore a Castle -Wales is home to some of Europe’s finest surviving medieval castles. Here in the Brecon Beacons, we have our fair share. Perhaps the most dreamy and dramatic of all are the weathered remains of Carreg Cennen Castle, perched high up on a limestone crag. They are perfect to visit all weather as you can shelter in the remains.
16. Take a tour around The Royal Welsh Regimental Museum -
Explore 400 years of history at the world famous Royal Welsh Museum renowned for its incredicable Zulu War Collection. The museum collections boasts over 33,000 objects which aid in telling the many stories of the regiments they represent including first and second world war collection, the Victoria Crosses awarded during the Anglo-Zulu war collection.