The Brecon Beacons

Situated about an hour north of Cardiff, this mountainous region of Wales is largely known for its spectacular natural landscapes…. and it’s true that the peaks of the Beacons and the Black Mountains have views to take your breath away. Climb Pen-y-Fan, the highest peak in South Wales at 886m/2,907ft, on a clear day and you’ll be able to see as far as the Gower Peninsula to the west and across the lush Usk Valley to the English border to the east.

This stunning region also has a rich, eventful history and plenty of fascinating cultural sights to explore. The countryside is dotted with Neolithic standing stones, Iron Age hillforts, Roman roads and Norman castles. The spread of Christianity has left numerous churches, chapels and even a cathedral, while local Celtic saints are commemorated in the picturesque Welsh names of the villages.

The Industrial Revolution dramatically changed the face of the valleys to the south of the Brecon Beacons yet the coal seam stopped at Merthyr Tydfil, and in the Beacons themselves rural life continued much as before. Spared the effects of industrialisation, the Brecon Beacons National Park has retained its unspoilt landscapes of pasture, moorland and mountains that are enjoyed by so many visitors today.

The Brecon Beacons National Park is unusal in that it is living environment with many towns and villages – it is not just the wilderness of the hills and mountains. Hay on Wye, Abergavenny, Llandovery and Llandeilo as well as Brecon itself are all worth visiting.