Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park
Rediscover your sense of wonder
Welcome to the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park – 520 square miles of adventure, heritage, internationally recognised dark skies, towns, villages and nature.
Only three hours from London and an hour from Cardiff, Swansea and Newport. Find all the information you need to reconnect with nature in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. #Discoveryourbreconbeacons
Key activities
Cycling and Mountain Biking
Cycling and mountain biking are a fabulous way to experience our glorious countryside. We have lots of different terrain to explore, including roads, towpaths, lanes and hillside tracks.
Stargazing
On a clear night in the Bannau (Beacons), you can see the Milky Way, major constellations, bright nebulas and even meteor showers. It’s enough to make anyone starry eyed.
Special qualities
Overview
Sweeping grandeur and outstanding natural beauty observed across a variety of harmoniously connected landscapes, including marvellous gorges and waterfalls, classic karst geology with caves and sink holes, contrasting glacial landforms such as cliffs and broad valleys carved from old red sandstone and prominent hilltops with extensive views in all directions
A working, living “patchwork” of contrasting patterns, colours, and textures comprising of well-maintained farmed landscapes, open uplands, lakes and meandering rivers punctuated by small-scale woodlands, country lanes, hedgerows, stone walls and scattered settlements.
Extensive and widespread access to the Park’s diversity of wildlife and richness of semi-natural habitats, such as native woodlands, heathland and grassland, natural lakes and riparian habitats, ancient hedgerows, limestone pavement and blanket bogs including those of international and national importance.
Enjoyable and accessible countryside with extensive, widespread and varied opportunities to pursue walking, cycling, fishing, water-based activities and other forms of sustainable recreation or relaxation.
An intimate sense of community where small, pastoral towns and villages are comparatively safe, friendly, welcoming and retain a spirit of cooperation.
A sense of discovery where people are able to explore the Park’s hidden secrets and stories such as genealogical histories, prehistoric ritual sites, medieval rural settlements, early industrial sites, local myths, legends and geological treasures.
Did you know?
Enjoy the beauty of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons).
With mountains and moorland, standing stones and castles, lively waterfalls and vibrant communities, the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park has plenty to offer residents and visitors. We have a long and colourful history and a rich and varied mythology and culture. Our National Park covers approximately 520 square miles of South and Mid Wales, including parts of Powys, Carmarthenshire, Monmouthshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil. It gets its name from the Central Bannau (Beacons), which dominate the skyline south of Brecon. They rise to 886 metres at Pen y Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain. Our night skies are remarkable. They’ve earned us recognition as an International Dark Sky Reserve. Our industrial heritage is magnificent: Blaenavon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And our rocks tell their own story. They’re so unique that a large part of our National Park has been designated a European and Global Geopark.
As a visitor to the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) you are playing a key role in ensuring the area continues as a living landscape. By spending your time and money here local communities, which include those who farm the land, can thrive and in partnership with the National Park Authority, take care of this national gem.
