Brecon Beacons, Wales

One of the most beautiful, mountainous regions in the United Kingdom is located in mid-Wales, known as the Brecon Beacons. It is essentially a National Park, a vast area encompassing rolling green hills, mountains, forests, streams and lakes, with pastoral animals grazing amidst this splendid scenery. It is a wonderful place for such activities as hiking,walking, horse riding and also sailing on the reservoirs and lakes. There are numerous small villages and towns scattered throughout the Brecon Beacons, providing accommodation and sustenance for the visitor.

We have been to mid-Wales on a few occasions, as it is one of our favourite parts of the country to travel to for a short break. By car, it takes about an hour from Cardiff, and three hours from London, and is therefore easily accessible. The first time we went, we stayed in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, in an area called Cwmdu. We booked a Bed and Breakfast for the weekend, The Studio, which we were very impressed with. Completely separate from the main house, it comprises of a spacious double bedroom, with a small kitchenette, lounge and dining area. The large breakfast, inclusive of the price, was superb (vegetarians catered for too). The highlight of The Studio, of course, is its location. Situated under the Black Mountain Range, it is also close to the towns of Abergavenny, Brecon and Hay-on-Wye.

Located at the merging of the Usk and Honddu Rivers, Brecon is a bustling market town. It has good views of the mountain range, including Pen Y Fan, which is the highest mountain in South Wales. The narrow streets and passageways of the town are home to a variety of shops, restaurants and pubs. Local attractions include the Brecon Cathedral, museum and the Castle, Norman in origin, which overlooks the town. The Brecon and Monmouthsire Canal also runs just outside the town. Brecon is especially popular in August, when it hosts an annual Jazz Festival, so it might be difficult to find accommodation during this time.

If you are an avid bookworm, then Hay-on-Wye, also known as "the town of books", is a good place to visit. It has a vast array of bookshops (last counted at 41), selling mostly second-hand books - it is possible to spend a whole day merely browsing through reading material! Located near the the English border and situated on the River Wye, the small market town is also well known for the Hay Festival, a literary festival organised by the Guardian newspaper. The festival attracts some important authors, speakers and musicians, and it is well worth attending - if not for the lectures themselves, then merely for the fun and social atmosphere.

Another village worth mentioning is Talybont-on-Usk, which is located by the River Usk and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. The village is small and picturesque, and apart from enjoying the restaurants and pubs in the village itself, it is a great area for walking, cycling and canoeing. In Talybont-on-Usk it is also possible to hire narrowboats, an interesting way to view the surrounding scenery, whilst travelling along the canal. This is something we would very much like to do, and hopefully we'll get around to it at some point in the not too distant future.

On our second trip to Brecon, we stayed in a cosy cottage for a few days, called Cwm Irfon Lodge. Situated near Llanwrtyd Wells, known as the smallest town in Britain, the cottage has majestic views over the valley and surrounding mountains. There is a beautiful, well-maintained formal garden in front of the cottage, and beyond that lie acres of trees and fields. The River Irfon runs some way below the cottage, and it is possible to swim in the river during the summer, if the weather allows. Cwm Irfon is a wonderful place to escape to. It's ideal for walking and is highly recommended as a relaxing, peaceful place to stay in mid-Wales. The only sounds likely to be heard are the bleating of sheep and the gurgling river in the distance. Llanwryd Wells, which is approximately three miles away, has a few restaurants, pubs and shops, in which one can buy basic necessities.

Something else to consider doing when visiting the Brecon Beacons, is going on the Brecon Mountain Railway. Travelling in a vintage steam train, the railway passes through some beautiful scenery, most of which is along the length of the Taf Fechan reservoir. The main station, where tickets for the journey can be bought, is Pant Station, about three miles north of the town Merthyr Tydfil. On the return journey, the train also stops at Pontsticill Station, where there is a small cafe, a play area for children, and a few tables on benches. It is a scenic place to go for walks or have a picnic before boarding the train to go back again.

In our humble opinion, mid-Wales is certainly one of the best places to travel to in Great Britain. If the beautiful scenery of majestic mountains ,valleys , rivers and forests appeals to you, then visit the Brecon Beacons. Whether it is merely to appreciate the surroundings, visit the towns, villages and castles or perhaps take part in more energetic activities, such as hiking, sailing and horse-riding; it is an amazing part of the country to explore.