Powys - Brecon Beacons
Experience the Brecon Beacons National Park
The Brecon Beacons National Park has a lot to offer both locals and tourists, including standing stones, castles, waterfalls, pretty villages and vibrant towns. It has a long and vivid history filled with rich folklore and culture.
Powys, Carmarthenshire, Monmouthshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Merthyr Tydfil are all included in the approximately 520 square miles that make up this National Park. The Central Beacons dominate the skyline south of Brecon, giving the Park its name. Pen y Fan, the highest point in southern Britain, reaches an elevation of 886 meters.
The night sky is amazing here and definitely something you should make time for. You can see the Milky Way, major constellations, bright nebulae, and even meteor showers in the Brecon Beacons when the sky is clear. The park is recognized as an International Dark Sky Reserve because of them: the fifth destination in the world and the first in Wales to receive accreditation.
The area is a dream for hikers and ramblers as there's plenty of routes to choose from, from grade 1-5 difficulty. Nothing can compare to the pleasure of strolling along a canal towpath or riverside path, exploring a wood covered in wildflowers, or being rewarded with stunning views as you reach the summit of one of the peaks.
Or, if you prefer grabbing your bike and speeding down cycle paths, the Brecon Beacons has bike rentals, cycle routes, and tour guides that can arrange anything from a single day's bike rental to a complete package that includes equipment, supplies and planned routes. Roads, towpaths, lanes, and challenging hillside tracks are just a few of the many types of terrain you can explore.
You'll always find something to do and great places to stay, eat, shop, chat, and base your activities in the charming market towns that border the National Park. In the villages and hamlets scattered along the rivers and canals and around Llangorse Lake, you'll also get a glimpse of the tranquil way of life that comes with the park.
No matter which town or village you go to, you'll find a lot of fascinating museums, buildings, and churches, as well as traditional Welsh architecture.
As a visitor to the Brecon Beacons you're playing a key role in ensuring the area continues as a living landscape. By spending your time and money here, local communities can thrive and - in partnership with the National Park Authority - take care of this national gem.
