City guides
United Kingdom
Wales
Things to do in Brecon Beacons
Popular for nature excursions out of Cardiff, or as a holiday destination in its own right, the Brecon Beacons National Park is packed full of attractions. The dramatic natural scenery is the main drawcard as the spectacular views earned by climbing the many peaks of the Black Mountains will single-handedly justify travel to the region. Pen-y-Fan, the highest peak in southern Wales, is a particular favourite with hikers.
For those interested in exploring underground as well as touching the sky, Brecon Beacons also boasts some impressive caves. The National Showcaves Centre for Wales allows visitors to explore the Dan-yr-Ogof Caves as well as a number of cultural attractions.
Speaking of cultural attractions, the village of Hay-on-Wye is world-famous for being the home of the Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts, and is paradise for book lovers at any time of year. The town of Brecon is also charming and a popular base for travel in the region, as is Llanelli.
Outside of the lovely little villages, the mountainous region is strewn with Iron Age hill forts, Roman roads, Norman castles, and ancient standing stones, providing fascinating sightseeing fodder. One of the most popular ruins is the Carreg Cennen Castle. Also in Brecon Beacons, Tintern Abbey is one of the most popular and atmospheric attractions in Wales.
Dan-yr-Ogof Caves
One of many cave systems in Brecon Beacons National Park, the Dan-yr-Ogof Caves are an 11-mile (17km) cave complex located about 15 miles (24km) southwest of Brecon. Only the first…
Dan-yr-Ogof Caves
One of many cave systems in Brecon Beacons National Park, the Dan-yr-Ogof Caves are an 11-mile (17km) cave complex located about 15 miles (24km) southwest of Brecon. Only the first portion is open to the public, including the unmissable Dan yr Ogof Showcave, the Cathedral Showcave, and the Bone Cave. Formed 315 million years ago, the formations include vertical stalactites and stalagmites, and also rare helectites, which grow sideways. The Bone Cave is named for the 42 human skeletons that have so far been discovered in the chamber. Many of the skeletons date back to the Bronze Age, more than 3,000 years ago. The cave now contains some award-winning exhibits on humankind's cave-dwelling history. The National Showcaves Centre for Wales also has a dinosaur park with more than 50 life-size statues; an Iron Age farm with a replica village; a Victorian farm where kids can interact with numerous domestic animals; the Shire Horse Centre; an adventure playground which will delight kids; and replicas of some of the famous stone circles found in Wales.
Website www.showcaves.co.uk
Hay-on-Wye
Culture enthusiasts are urged to visit Hay-on-Wye, a charming market-town located within the boundaries of Brecon Beacons National Park. Widely referred to as the 'Town of Books', …
Hay-on-Wye
Culture enthusiasts are urged to visit Hay-on-Wye, a charming market-town located within the boundaries of Brecon Beacons National Park. Widely referred to as the 'Town of Books', Hay-on-Wye is the bibliophile's equivalent of Mecca, featuring more than 30 second-hand bookstores, many of which stock collector's items and hard-to-find rarities. Hay-on-Wye hosts the annual Hay Festival, one of the biggest literary festivals on the planet, drawing crowds in excess of 80,000 people, who come to attend lectures and readings given by some of the world's most eminent writers. The festival is held annually in May or June. Hay-on-Wye offers more than books, though, as the town also boasts lovely architecture, a celebrated collection of quaint pubs and restaurants, the fascinating ruins of two Norman-built castles, and a popular Thursday Market, where everything from antiques to hand-made cheeses can be bought.
Website www.hay-on-wye.co.uk
Tintern Abbey
The famous Tintern Abbey was established by William Marshal, a medieval nobleman who was known as The Greatest Knight in Christendom, to give thanks to God after surviving a narrow…
Tintern Abbey
The famous Tintern Abbey was established by William Marshal, a medieval nobleman who was known as The Greatest Knight in Christendom, to give thanks to God after surviving a narrow escape at sea. Today, the monastery is one of the most inspiring and enduring tourist sights that Wales has to offer. The abbey, whose first inhabitants were Cistercian monks, dates from the early 13th century and has been well preserved, affording visitors great views of its ruined nave, chancel, tower, cloister, and chapel. Visitors will encounter a collection of surviving buildings that span a 400-year period between 1131 and 1536. Just as beautiful are the grounds around the abbey, which consist of green fields, craggy, moss-strewn hills, and a stone bridge that leads across an inlet from the sea. Gorgeous Tintern Abbey has a long history of inspiring works of art, from paintings by William Turner to poems by William Wordsworth, Lord Tennyson, and even Allen Ginsberg. Located a mere stone's throw from the English border, Tintern Abbey makes a wonderful first stop on a memorable sightseeing tour of Wales.