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National Showcaves Centre for Wales
Brecon Road,
Penycae,
West Glamorgan,
SA9 1GJ
Tel: 01639 730801
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Regarded as some of the finest and most captivating caves in the British Isles, the National Showcaves Centre allows visitors to explore 350 million years of history. There are the three main showcaves, which were first discovered by the Morgan Brothers, who worked hard to open the caves to the public. Also at the complex is a shire horse centre, a replica of an Iron Age farm, a dinosaur park with over 100 life-sized model dinosaurs and even a ski-slope. The National Showcaves Centre for Wales makes a fascinating day out for the whole family.
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The Breconshire Brewery
Ffrwdgrech Industrial Estate,
Brecon,
Powys,
LD3 8LA
Tel: 01874 623731
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The Breconshire Brewery opened in 2002, and since then has established itself as one of Wales’ most promising producers of real ales and bottled beers. Brecon Country Ale, Golden Valley, Red Dragon, Ramblers Ruin and seasonal beers are prepared using traditional methods and local ingredients, and are making their way into pubs and off-licences across the UK. Brewery tours are available.
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Tretower Castle and Court
Tretower,
Near Crickhowell,
Powys,
NP8 1RF
Tel: 01874 730279
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Tretower Castle and Court comprises an interesting collection of medieval buildings, on two distict sites. The stone keep of the castle dates from the 13th Century, although a previous castle was built on the site almost 200 years previously. In the 1450s however, the castle was mostly abandoned in favour of a fortified manor house – Tretower Court – which has been preserved remarkably well, and allows visitors to gain an insight into the turbulent life in the disputed English-Welsh border regions.
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Brecon Mountain Railway
Pant Station,
Merthyr Tydfil,
CF48 2UP
Tel: 01685 722988
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The Brecon Mountain Railway is an enjoyable and charming way of taking in the dramatic scenery of the southern Brecon Beacons. Vintage steam engines pull the enclosed carriages from Pant (near Merthyr Tydfil) along the length of the Taf Fechan Reservoir and on to Dol-y-Gaer, before returning home. At Pant, visitors can look around the workshops, enjoy the licensed tearoom and picnic area, and buy a souvenir from the gift shop.
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Brecon Beacons Visitors Centre
Libanus,
Near Brecon,
Powys,
LD3 7DP
Tel: 01874 623366
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The Brecon Beacons Visitors Centre – also known as the Mountain Centre – is located 5 miles to the south west of Brecon. Run by the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, it offers a wealth of information about the region and advice for walkers, as well as a well-stocked shop selling maps and information books. There is a coffee shop and restaurant, and a picnic area that affords spectacular views of Pen-Y-Fan and Corn Du.
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Llanthony Priory
Near Llanfihangel Crucorney,
Powys
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Tucked away in a remote spot in the Black Mountains, Llanthony Priory was founded during the 12th Century as an Augustinian priory by William de Lacy. It has a sister priory at Gloucester (Llanthony Secunda), but like many priories was largely destroyed during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries.
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Blaenavon World Heritage Site
Blaenavon,
Gwent,
NP4 9XP
Tel: 01495 790311
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Blaenavon is a small town with a big history, and is just a few miles to the south of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The region was designated a World Heritage Site in November 2000, in recognition of the town’s extraordinary influence on coal mining and iron making during the Industrial Revolution. Award-winning museums and exhibitions include the Big Pit Museum, the Ironworks, the Monmouth and Brecon Canal, the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway, Blaenavon Community Heritage and Cordell Museum, Workmen’s Hall, St Peters Church and the town itself.
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Brecon Cathedral
The Cathedral Close,
Brecon,
Powys,
LD3 9DP
Tel: 01874 623857
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Brecon Cathedral is a delightful cathedral in the market town of Brecon. It is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon, and has been the seat of the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon since 1923. Before this, it was a priory, which was founded in the 12th Century and was fortunate to survive dissolution by Henry VIII.
In recent years some of the buildings in the Cathedral close have been converted into a Diocesan Centre, a Heritage Centre and exhibition, as well as a shop and Pilgrims restaurant.
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The South Wales Borderers Museum
The Barracks,
Brecon,
Powys,
LD3 7EB
Tel: 01874 613310
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The South Wales Borderers Museum in Brecon tells the fascinating story of the 'Old 24th', South Wales Borderers, the Monmouthshire Regiment and, more recently, The Royal Regiment of Wales (24th/41st Foot). Since its formation in the 17th Century, the regiment served with distinction in many theatres of war, including the famous Battle of Rorke’s Drift in 1879. The museum has an array of artefacts, exhibits and medals, and forms a vivid picture of life for the soldiers who fought in this distinguished regiment.
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Abergavenny Castle and Museum
Castle Street,
Abergavenny,
Gwent,
NP7 5EE
Tel: 01873 854282
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Abergavenny’s Norman castle was the scene of an intense border struggle for over 300 years, and the now-ruined castle and its attractive gardens are open to the public. Inside the grounds is Abergavenny Museum, which tells the story of the town from Prehistoric times to the modern day, with interesting recreations of a farmhouse kitchen and a saddler’s workshop, as well as exhibitions and demonstrations of the town’s past.
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