Mid Wales

Brecon Castle Photo - David Spencer CCL

Capital of the Brecon Beacons National Park, Brecon lies on the banks of the Rivers Usk and Honddu and is an alluring holiday destination famous for its annual jazz festival, its Roman past and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

The town is named after a Celtic chieftain, Brychan, victor in a number of battles sparked by the departure of the Romans.

Brecon Castle, only part of which has survived, was built by the half-brother of William the Conqueror, Bernard Newmarch, who also had a hand in the creation of Brecon’s small cathedral.

Tudor Newton Farm was the birthplace of Davy Gam, the man who saved the life of Henry V at Agincourt.
 

Brecon Barracks has a museum celebrating the history of the South Wales Borders while Brecknock Museum has one of the largest collections of Welsh lovespoons in the world.

The spectacular Brecon Beacons National Park is one of the most significant geological landscapes in Europe.

It contains Pen-y-Fan, the highest point in southern Britain at 886m and the Dan-yr-Ogof Showcaves, the largest system of its type in Western Europe. Elsewhere is a Dinosaur theme park and large country park.

Brecon Beacons  
Photo - Chris J Dixon CCL