Brecon Boutique Breaks is situated in Sennybridge a small village on the northern edge of The Brecon Beacons. This area is stunningly beautiful with many things to do. From the depths of its limestone caves to the grandeur of Pen y Fan and Cribyn, its highest peaks, there’s plenty to explore in this gem of a national park. By day, there are moorlands, trails and towns to discover, while by night, you can feast your eyes on the stars.
Rolling green landscapes? Waterfalls? Characterful towns and a tranquil canal? They’re all here.
Less then 30 miles from Cardiff and 100 miles from Birmingham, it’s easy to reach. You can drive here from central London in under three hours. There’s plenty of space - in fact, crowds are rare. Venture a little beyond the most popular trails and you’ll soon find yourself in countryside that feels utterly peaceful and remote. Defining the park are the highest mountains in southern Britain - the Brecon Beacons and the three ranges surrounding them, the Black Mountain Range, Forest Fawr and Black Mountains. At their heart is Wales’ largest expanse of open hill common, about 20 miles across. Here, Welsh mountain ponies keep the vegetation in check. The descendants of pit ponies, they’re a hardy breed. They’re said to be tougher than sheep and less fussy eaters.
To the North of Brecon Boutique Breaks lie the Cambrian Mountains. The Cambrian Mountains are remote and sparsely-populated. They almost fill the space between their better-known neighbours, the Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons National Parks.
The Cambrian Mountains has a range of walking trails, exploring gentle woodland and tumbling waterfalls. The highest point in the Cambrian Mountains is Pen Pumlumon Fawr (752m/24682).
Towns
Brecon
9 miles east of Sennybridge lies the market town of Brecon.
A thriving market town in the Usk Valley, Brecon was established as a town in Norman times.
Narrow compact streets, Georgian facades and the restored canal basin tell tales of times gone by. For culture, seek out the 12<sup>th</sup> century cathedral, South Wales Borderers Military Museum, and Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery. Brecon offers many places to eat and stay and the Brecknock Farmers Market, on the second Saturday of every month, is the biggest in the area.
Specialist independent retailers offer unique and affordable products with a warm and friendly service. Local organic and specialist foods are in abundance and always worth seeking out. More active visitors will enjoy the outdoor shops. With a professional theatre and independent cinema, pubs and restaurants and a leisure centre for rainy days, there’s always something to do in this wonderful market town.
Both the Taff Trail and the Usk Valley Walk start at Brecon, one heads south over the mountains for Cardiff, the other down the Usk Valley to Caerleon. The pretty towns of Crickhowell and llandeilo are a short drive away.
Llandeilo
Nestled within the Towy Valley and surrounded by castles and gardens, Llandeilo is a gem. An ancient capital of Wales, the town has the largest single arch stone bridge in Wales (145ft, 44 metres) which is fringed by pretty pastel-painted houses that sweep up to the town centre and church.
Llandeilo has an excellent range of independently-owned shops, from antiques, galleries and boutiques, to butchers, bakers and ice-cream makers. There are several cafe’s and delis selling locally-produced products. It also has its own award-winning brewery, Evan- Evans.
The Llandeilo Gospel Book, a beautifully illuminated biblical manuscript from the 8th Century, can be seen in St Teilo’s Church.
Gallery
