The 10 Best Free Things to do in Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales

June 27, 2021 Diedre Savory

Discover the best top things to do in Brecon Beacons National Park, United Kingdom including Pen-y-Fan, Sgwd yr Eira, Llyn y Fan Fach, M T Cashell Family Butchers, Llanthony Priory, Brecon Cathedral, Lower Blaen y Glyn, The Blorenge, Maen Llia, Book-ish.
Restaurants in Brecon Beacons National Park

1. Pen-y-Fan

Brecon Beacons National Park Wales +44 1874 623366 http://www.breconbeacons.org
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 921 reviews

Pen-y-Fan

At just under 3,000 feet, this is the highest mountain in South Wales and the jewel in the crown that is the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Reviewed By BackinBracknell - Bracknell, United Kingdom

The paths have been much improved since I last climbed Pen y Fan 25 years ago! If you're just looking for a straightforward there and back route the shortest option is from the Pont ar Daf car park on the A470 where there are toilets and refreshments. From here the path is now excellent all the way up to the top and you can take in the summit of Corn Du (873m) as well before reaching the highest point of Pen y Fan at 886m. It's a challenging climb but steady and not super strenuous. If you stick to the main path there are no narrow ledges and there's no scrambling involved. Also as the starting point is already at 430m the ascent is less than you might expect. This route is very popular though so it is likely to be busy and if you want to avoid the crowds choose a different option! Obviously try to go on a clear day, but even when it's not so good it's still a great walk and very exhilarating. It's a serious mountain though so be prepared. Check the forecast, wear walking boots and take waterproofs and an extra layer of clothing even if it's sunny and warm in the car park. It sounds overkill but the weather can change very quickly and catch you out. If the cloud comes down the visibility can drop to near zero and it's surprisingly easy to get disorientated.

2. Sgwd yr Eira

Brecon Beacons National Park Wales http://www.breconbeacons.org/waterfall-country-walking-trails
Excellent
87%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 308 reviews

Sgwd yr Eira

Reviewed By GDhengoed

Walk behind the falls Ive walked here numerous times taking new people for a wonderful experience. After heavy rain it is spectacular. Be warned it can be very slippery and twice the rocks behind the falls were frozen which meant we had to walk through the river to continue our loop walk. Not needed if you return along your access route. This is not somewhere you should walk without a reasonable level of fitness. North access involves numerous steep steps. Southern access is easier. When water levels are high access behind the falls is slippery and awkward .

3. Llyn y Fan Fach

Brecon Beacons National Park Wales
Excellent
93%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 80 reviews

Llyn y Fan Fach

Reviewed By adamdI8870TK - Talbot Green, United Kingdom

Easy access to the free car park and easy to moderate path to the lake and mountain top. I would recommend going to the toilet before heading to this car park and walk as there are no facilities.

4. M T Cashell Family Butchers

53 High Street, Brecon Beacons National Park, Crickhowell NP8 1BH Wales +44 1873 810405 [email protected] http://www.cashells.co.uk/
Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 57 reviews

M T Cashell Family Butchers

Local Family Butchers sourcing Local quality Beef , Lamb and Free range pork supporting Local Welsh Farmers . Cashells , Supports Local Welsh Artisan producers call in for a Warm friendly welcome , we love to chat !!

Reviewed By greenman58 - London, United Kingdom

How nice to find a family butcher that is everything it sets out to be. This lovely shop is top quality in all respects - welcoming and friendly, with excellent meat and a delicatessen (some fruit and veg and basic groceries also on offer at fair prices. The Russet apples were among the best I've ever tasted.) What more can you ask ? Anyone living here or nearby is lucky to have Cashell's as a neighbour, and anyone on a self-catering holiday can be assured of the very best.

5. Llanthony Priory

Llanthony, Brecon Beacons National Park Wales http://www.castlewales.com/llantho.html
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 207 reviews

Llanthony Priory

Reviewed By Q9961UOdavids - Liverpool, United Kingdom

Well worth a visit lovely ruins to walk around and take photos Then call in and have a drink Really friendly staff and lovely atmosphere In the bar which is part of the ruins and the do lovely food

6. Brecon Cathedral

Cathedral Close, Brecon Beacons National Park, Brecon LD3 9DP Wales +44 1874 623857 [email protected] http://www.breconcathedral.org.uk/
Excellent
60%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 488 reviews

Brecon Cathedral

Reviewed By Tomcatbubbles - Sutton, United Kingdom

Beautiful building, some very quirky bits like the wreath presented by queen victoria and the paining of peace!

7. Lower Blaen y Glyn

Talybont-on-Usk, Brecon Beacons National Park Wales http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/WalesPowysTalybontBlaenYGlynLowerBlaenyGlynCarPark
Excellent
50%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 40 reviews

Lower Blaen y Glyn

Reviewed By OxfordTim - Oxford, United Kingdom

Found this walk by accident driving through the Brecon Beacons. Smallish car park was almost full when we arrived, so some cars had to park outside. There was a warden in attendance doing his best to marshall the car park. There were two walks either side of the river, of which we chose the left hand one as you leave the car park. It was the easier of the two to get to the top as it has a hard gravel surface. The right hand one could be a bit slippery if wet, but is definitely preferable as you are right next to the water, whereas it is hidden for most of the time if you take the right hand path. At the top you are rewarded with a couple of lovely waterfalls, which were in full flow as it had rained heavily recently. Well worth the effort, probably took about 30-45 minutes to reach the top depending upon your walking abiluty

8. The Blorenge

Brecon Beacons National Park NP4 9SR Wales
Excellent
65%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

The Blorenge

Reviewed By 807elspethh

Fab walk as always and easy as no steep slopes , amazing sunset as always . Parking great ,needs dog waste bin though .

9. Maen Llia

Sarn Helen, Brecon Beacons National Park, Brecon Wales
Excellent
68%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 41 reviews

Maen Llia

Reviewed By sipsi

Beautiful drive on the valley road, fantastic scenery and a stunning stone... worth a stop, a read of the info and to go for a look up close. It's an amazing achievement to have got it there (how??) 4 thousand years ago! Really peaceful place and very glad we stumbled on it.

10. Book-ish

18 High Street, Brecon Beacons National Park, Crickhowell NP8 1BD Wales +44 1873 811256 [email protected] http://www.book-ish.co.uk
Excellent
76%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
7%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 72 reviews

Book-ish

Independent bookshop with cafe and event centre.

Reviewed By L451CGhelens

First time back after lockdown and it’s better than ever. Still the best place for coffee and tea in Crickhowell. Warm and friendly and, more importantly, felt safe in these strange COVID times. The food is homemade and yummy. Cauliflower Dahl, pizzas and Welsh rarebit are firm favourites. Great cakes too especially the scones if you’re lucky enough to get them still warm from the oven. And books too. What’s not to love.

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