The Brecon Beacons has it all: some of the country’s best wild landscapes, as well as plenty of relaxing activities, from wining and dining at vineyards, to a church more crooked than the Leaning Tower of Pisa and an atmospheric old priory. Whether you’re looking to swim under crystal clear waterfalls, hike the highest peaks in southern Britain, or visit a glacial lake, you’ll find it here.
In this guide we’re covering the best of the Brecon Beacons to help you plan the perfect trip.
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1. Discover Batman’s Cave
2. Check out the church more crooked than the Leaning Tower of Pisa
3. Try the most delicious Welsh Rarebit in Wales
4. Marvel at four waterfalls on one walk
5. Wine taste with a view
6. Stroll the romantic ruins of Llanthony Priory
7. Witness hundreds of Red Kites feed
8. Climb the highest peak in southern Britain
9. Swim under the Brecons most spectacular waterfall
10. Venture deep underground at the Big Pit coal mine
11. Admire one of the grandest castles in Wales
12. Find the incredible hidden gorge pool
13. Admire the remarkably well preserved doom painting
14. Taste a coffee straight from the roastery
15. Indulge in the best burgers in Wales
16. Wander the magnificent Brecon Cathedral
17. Try the delicious ice cream from Llanfaes Dairy
18. Enjoy tea and cake at the 18th century mill by the river
19. Hike to the spectacular glacial lakes
20. Stroll the world’s first booktown
21. Have a drink in the oldest pub in Wales
22. Catch a sunset
23. Walk the beautiful bluebell woods
Things to do in the Brecon Beacons
1. Discover Batman’s Cave
If you’re looking at Henrhyd Falls and thinking it seems vaguely familiar, it’s probably because it’s one of the iconic filming locations from Batman The Dark Knight Rises. That’s right, you can actually visit the Bat Cave…. well, sort of.
It’s not quite like the movie, but it is a fantastic waterfall, and has the added novelty that you can walk all the way behind it. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even take a dip in the large swimming hole at the base.
At just a 0.7 mile return walk, it’s an easy win, although you do have one hill to climb on the way back to the car park!
For all the details on walking behind the waterfall, and how to access the swimming hole, check out our detailed guide to Henrhyd Falls.
2. Check out a church more crooked than the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Who knew there was a church in Wales that is on more of a lean than the Leaning Tower of Pisa?! And unlike the tower, this one is not well known, and you probably won’t have to share it with anyone else.
St Martin’s Church is a real curiosity and you can see the dramatic lean from both outside and inside the building. It’s hard to believe it’s still standing!
The church dates back to the 12th century and it’s beautifully kept inside. It’s well worth going in to look at the wonky doors and windows, which feel like they should be in a children’s storybook!
Entry to the church is free of charge, but donations are welcome.
It’s not obvious where to park and Google Maps will lead you slightly astray here, so park at these coordinates: 51.903739, -3.019028. The roads leading to the church are very narrow in typical Welsh countryside fashion. Luckily we didn’t see another soul!
3. Try the most delicious Welsh Rarebit in Wales
Sort of like a posh cheese on toast, Welsh rarebit is one of those dishes that sounds like it would be pretty hard to get wrong. But after having tasted a fair few shockers in our time, we can tell you that not all Welsh rarebit is created equal.
We’d pretty much given up on it after a particularly bad one in Snowdonia, but decided that with a name liked The International Welsh Rarebit Centre, we had to give it one more try. And I am very glad we did.
There’s a variety of different options you can try, from traditional, to goats cheese, to chorizo, and all are served with a colourful side salad that goes far beyond your usual iceberg lettuce.
The cafe has a nice interior, and a lovely courtyard if you’re lucky enough to have good weather. The coffee was also pretty good and we ended up going twice in a week!
4. Marvel at four waterfalls on one walk
Waterfall lovers are spoilt for choice when it comes to the Brecon Beacons, but if you want to see four of the best in one go, then you can’t go past the incredible Four Waterfalls Walk.
Each waterfall is very different from the last, with one you can walk behind, one that is perfect for wild swimming, one that flows into a fabulous mossy gorge, and another that gushes down a cliff into yet more swimming holes!
The walk itself is on a well maintained track for the most part and is largely flat. Accessing the base of a couple of the falls does require a short scramble, but we have you covered on exactly what to expect from the trail conditions in this detailed guide.
5. Wine taste with a view
I had no idea that wine was produced in Wales until I saw a sign for the Sugar Loaf Vineyard! When you’re ready for a break from all the outdoor activities, it’s a lovely place to spend some time unwinding by the vines.
You can opt for big or small glasses for your tasting, and there’s a mix of red, white and rose wine.
Whilst I didn’t love every wine I tried, I enjoyed most, and it was lovely to try some local wine for a change. We’d already eaten, but I have to say that the platters looked great and we wished we’d had room.
The interior of the restaurant is nice and there was a lovely fireplace for chillier times. The terrace had great views, but there were lots of birds, which made it a bit messy - although maybe that was a one off!
6. Stroll the romantic ruins of Llanthony Priory
Llanthony Priory is breathtaking, from the dramatic setting under the gaze of the Black Mountains, to the fairytale like ruins themselves. Having visited the spectacular and much more famous Tintern Abbey, I didn’t think that Llanthony Priory could compare, but I am happy to say that it does.
It really is the most wonderful place to go for a stroll and I can imagine it looks just as special on a misty and mysterious day.
It’s free to visit, and there’s a bar onsite if you want to grab some lunch or a drink and enjoy it in the grounds.
If you too fall in love with this spot you can actually spend the night. There’s no phone signal or wifi, so no doubt it’s easy to feel like you’re stepping back in time.
Llanthony Priory is located close to the Skirrid Mountain Inn and St Martin’s church (the crooked church), so it’s easy to combine all three in a morning or afternoon.
7. Witness hundreds of Red Kites feeding
We’ve probably all seen a few Red Kites gliding overhead at various places around the UK, but nothing could prepare you for the spectacle of watching hundreds all swoop for food at the same time.
The huge birds are surprisingly graceful and will reach for the offerings without ever touching the ground (the ones you see on the ground are opportunistic buzzards).
The height of the frenzy only lasts around five minutes, but there are plenty feeding in lesser numbers for a good half an hour or more. Viewing takes place from a large hide, so it’s suitable for all weather.
Numbers are at their greatest in the winter time, when food is more scarce. In summer you can expect to see up to 100, but in winter it can be as many as 250. The feeding station used to be open daily, but at time of writing that isn’t the case, so check the facebook page for more details (we found the website was not up to date).
8. Climb the highest peak in southern Britain
There are many different routes you can take to climb to the top of the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons, but the Pen y Fan Horseshoe is a hard one to beat. This trail takes in three iconic Brecon’s peaks, as well as plenty of glorious ridge lines.
Despite being quite a long walk (9 miles), there’s very little filler, and the great views are with you almost every step of the way. If you want to add a little magic to the track - and avoid all the crowds - you can even time your walk to catch sunset on top of the final peak (Cribyn), which is an experience you won’t forget.
If you simply want to climb Pen y Fan via the quickest route, it’s 4 miles return, and we’d recommend heading up for sunrise or sunset to beat the crowds and see the mountains bathed in golden light.
9. Swim under the Brecons most spectacular waterfall
Staring up at the huge waterfall cascading into the mossy gorge was the moment I declared Sgwd Einion Gam one of the best wild swimming spots I’ve ever been to (and there have been hundreds!). The water is crystal clear and a deep emerald, when combined with the towering cliff walls it’s truly magical.
It is however, very cold, colder than most in the area, so you do need to swim to keep warm.
The walk to get there is an adventure in itself, starting with a well maintained track that passes several other phenomenal waterfalls, before you need to go off track to find the crowning jewel that is Sgwd Einion Gam. It does involve two river crossings, so it’s best avoided after heavy rain.
All the details, including how to find the waterfall, which is not signposted, are in this guide.
10. Venture deep underground at the Big Pit coal mine
A visit to the Big Pit coal mine is one of the Brecon Beacons must do’s. We visited on our first ever trip to the area many years ago, and it’s still one of our favourite experiences.
You head down into the mine on a guided tour run by the ex-miners, who do a wonderful job at bringing the mine to life. His stories and enthusiasm made the tour truly memorable.
It’s hard to believe that such a wonderful tour and museum is completely free of charge, although you will need to pay £5 to park. It can get very busy, so there is the option to book a particular time slot for the underground tour for £5 (known as a Job-A-Knock Ticket), but if you don’t mind potentially having to queue, then the tour is free of charge.
11. Admire one of the grandest castles in Wales
Raglan Castle was proudly Welsh built (unlike many in Wales which were built by the English to control the local population) and known for its unmistakable hexagonal keep.
The family who built the castle always seemed to pick the losing side in historic battles: firstly William Herbert sided with the Yorkists in the War of the Roses in the 15th century (which ended with his execution) and then Lord Herbert sided with the Royalists in the Civil War in the 16th century.
The castle was left to decline, but there is still a lot to see today. You can wander around the ruinous halls, kitchens and living areas, as well as climb up the hexagonal keep for a birds-eye view.
Entry is £8.30 per adult and free for Cadw, English Heritage and Historic Scotland members.
12. Find the incredible hidden gorge pool
This has to be one of the easiest to access wild swimming spots in the Brecon Beacons. In fact it’s hard to believe a spot this wild and wonderful sits just below the road (luckily you’d never know it and you can’t see or hear the road).
There are two parts to the gorge, with a lower waterfall pool known as the Blue Pool, and an upper gorge, which had proper canyon vibes.
Both are fabulous and perfect for a dip, although the bottom pool sadly suffers from some litter (if you can take a little away with you, it will go a long way to cleaning it up). The top pool was my favourite as it felt perfectly secluded and the tall gorge walls give it an adventurous feel.
Whilst the walk is just a few minutes long, both pools require easy scrambles to access. You can find out more about the trail including directions as it’s not signposted here.
13. Admire the remarkably well preserved doom painting
We wouldn’t normally include two churches in one article, but they are so unique that we couldn’t choose between them. St Issui's Church is one of the most atmospheric churches I have ever been to. As soon as you step inside, it just feels ancient.
It’s the first time I have ever seen a rood screen - in the Middle Ages almost every church would have had one - but after the Protestant Reformation, during the reign of King Edward VI, almost every screen was taken down or destroyed.
The one found at St Issui's Church is one of the few that survived intact. It’s beautifully preserved and would be worth the visit alone, however opposite it you’ll also see the incredible doom painting, which is remarkably from the 1500’s!
The combination of these two unusual features, the old trunk that sits beneath the painting, the inscriptions on the walls, the narrow beams, and heavy door make it feel truly awe-inspiring.
The fact that there are lovely countryside views outside are the icing on the cake. It’s a special place and very much worth braving those narrow country roads for!
14. Taste a coffee straight from the roastery
You’re guaranteed a warm welcome at the Two Dogs Coffee Roasting Company in Brecon, and a visit here is a must for coffee lovers.
It’s more of a takeaway place than it is a cafe, but you are very welcome to pull up a chair at the coffee bar and sit and have a chat with the owner while you enjoy a cup of freshly roasted coffee.
You’re given a choice of beans, as well as all the usual flat white/americano etc, and you can try before you buy - this is a small business owner that really cares about coffee, and wants to make you the perfect cup!
Although there is no menu, there are a few different homemade cakes you can choose from, which were a tasty accompaniment to the coffee.
We loved our visit here and it was one of those experiences where you walk away thinking if only every coffee stop was as welcoming as that one.
15. Indulge in the best burgers in Wales
When I first saw the price of the burgers at Hills in Brecon, I was really put off. I wasn’t sure any burger could possibly be worth the money, but I can honestly say we both thought it’s one of the best burgers we’ve ever eaten.
The veggie burger is Beyond meat, which is hard to come by in restaurants, and the meat option also got the big thumbs up from Joe.
The burgers are full of flavour, with lots of oozing sauce and pickles. Make sure you order an extra house sauce to go with the chips!
The interior is lovely and modern and there’s also a large terrace with views to Pen y Fan, which is a gorgeous spot for a sunny day.
Whenever we talk about going back to the Brecon Beacons, treating ourselves to a burger at Hills is always on the itinerary.
16. Wander the magnificent Brecon Cathedral
You can’t fail to be impressed as you wander under the vast arched ceiling of the gothic style Brecon Cathedral. Whilst the cathedral is on the smaller side, the interior is fabulous, with beautiful stained glass windows and intricate carvings and woodwork.
However, it’s just as impressive on the outside, with lovely gardens to stroll and even a picnic bench on the grounds, inviting you to linger.
There’s also a cafe on site, with tables set under the shade of some very old trees, which was so charming, and somewhere we’d love to try out next time.
17. Try the delicious ice cream from Llanfaes Dairy
I am going to go out on a limb and say some of the most delicious ice cream I have ever tasted came from the Llanfaes Dairy in Brecon. I saw it had amazing reviews online, but to be honest, so did the Indian restaurant we tried the night before which was possibly the worst I’ve ever tried, so we weren’t feeling overly optimistic.
However, this time the reviews were spot on and it was well worth the queue that went right the way out the door. There’s a variety of interesting flavours, as well as all the traditional ones. Our favourites were the Lotus biscoff and mango. I’d give both a 10/10!
18. Enjoy tea and cake at the 18th century mill by the river
You can take a tour, buy a bag of freshly milled flour, or simply grab a coffee at the 18th century water powered mill on the picturesque River Ellywe. Talgarth Mill is in a gorgeous spot on the river, opposite quaint old buildings and surrounded by a pretty little garden.
If you don’t want to take a tour, it’s still very much worth visiting to enjoy the cafe, which has wonderful riverside views (and is what we opted for). You can enjoy tea and coffee with a variety of lunches and sweet treats.
The little bakery is run separately to the cafe, but they don’t mind you eating things from the bakery in the cafe. The cafe has a nice atmosphere and we loved the tables right beside the water.
19. Hike to the spectacular glacial lakes
Llyn y Fan Fach is easily the most famous glacial lake in the Brecon Beacons, and it’s a real beauty. It’s also the easiest to access, with an excellent path all the way (2.4 miles return). However, we think the views are far better if you walk even a little way up the hill beside the lake. It’s as you climb that you fully appreciate its position, nestled between the mountains.
If you have a little more energy, or you’re looking for somewhere to take a dip, then you’ll need to head for Llyn y Fan Fawr, as swimming is not allowed at Llyn y Fan Fach.
Llyn y Fan Fach sees far fewer visitors and is one of my favourite spots in the Brecon Beacons. You can head there from Llyn y Fan Fach via a sensational ridge line walk (our favourite walk in the area so far) or take a shorter route from a different starting point.
All the details on both lakes, plus the incredible walk are in this guide.
20. Stroll the world’s first booktown
Sitting just outside the national park, Hay on Wye is one of the most delightful towns in Wales. It’s most famous for being a book town, and book lovers will definitely be spoilt for choice.
It had been far too long since I’d been in a bookshop, and Hay on Wye reminded me of the joy of actually pottering around the shelves and picking up real paper books, instead of just downloading something on my Kindle!
There’s a variety of secondhand bookshops with some real bargains to be had (Richard Booth's was a favourite), as well as specialist shops such as the delightfully named Murder & Mayhem - Agatha Christie fans cannot miss this one!
There’s also the most fabulously located honesty bookshop, which sits in the grounds of the castle. You don’t even need to bring cash because they’ve installed barcodes you can use to pay by card.
There’s plenty to do beyond bookshops and on a sunny day, heading to the garden at Hay Castle is a must. They have a beautiful lawn right in the grounds with deckchairs and a fabulous view. Nothing says summer vibes quite like it!
21. Have a drink in the oldest pub in Wales
The Skirrid Mountain Inn is said to be the oldest in Wales, at over 900 years and counting. You can feel the history when you walk through the door, with dark beams, old stone flooring and a roaring fire.
It’s very cosy, although the seating is more on the rickety than comfy side. Still, I guess that’s all in keeping with the history of the place.
If you’re into all things supernatural then you might want to consider spending the night. It’s reputed to be haunted and one look at the visitor book reveals more than a little paranormal activity.
In fact it was so fascinating I spent a good half an hour just reading all the entries, which is an excellent way to entertain yourself over a glass of wine by the fire! You can also see the gallows in the stairwell - not something you’d find at your average pub!
22. Catch a sunset
There are so many wonderful places to catch a sunset in the Brecon Beacons, as you’re never far from an epic view. Our absolute favourite is from the top of Cribyn, but this is one of the slightly more challenging options.
If you’re after something easier, but still happy to hike, the Sugar Loaf makes an excellent choice. At just 1.7 miles each way, it takes less than 45 minutes to reach the top, yet it doesn’t compromise on sensational views.
If you’re looking for something that doesn’t require any exertion, then you could try Llangorse Lake. However, this is not a good year round sunset spot. When we visited in summer the sun was setting behind the fields, not the lake, it was still pretty, but not what we had in mind. However, we’ve seen plenty of beautiful shots where the sun does set behind the lake, which would have been taken in winter.
23. Wander the beautiful bluebell woods
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting the Brecon Beacons in April or May, then a visit to Coed Cefn, aka The Bluebell Wood is a must. The woodland is beautiful at any time of year, but it’s simply magical when the bluebells are in bloom.
They carpet the forest floor and you only have to walk a few steps from the car park before you’ll begin to see them. You can then wander the ancient woodland on an easy path to see hundreds upon hundreds of them.
We were visiting at the very end of May when the bluebells were well past their best, but even then it was still beautiful. I can only imagine how it would have been a couple of weeks earlier - hopefully we’ll be back one year to see!
The Bluebell Wood is located in Crickhowell and there’s a car park which is free of charge.
Where to stay in the Brecon Beacons
Camden Lodge B&B Brecon
Situated just outside the town of Brecon, this homely B&B has almost flawless reviews. With extra large beds, modern furnishings and mountain views, it’s the perfect place to relax after a big day exploring. It’s less than a 10 minute walk into town and offers a cooked breakfast.
YHA Brecon Beacons
If you want to save a little on accommodation, YHA’s are almost always a safe bet. The YHA Brecon Beacons has a mix of dorms, private rooms and even pod cabins, all set in a 19th century farmhouse in ancient woodland. There’s also a large kitchen, as well as the opportunity to buy home cooked food.
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