Nearby Towns

Talgarth, an ancient small market town, is just over 3 miles away and is our local and nearest town for shops, Medical Centre and places to eat and drink.

The town holds a livestock market on Fridays and occasional Tuesdays. On the 1st Sunday in the month there is a country market with crafts and food.

Overlooking the towns central square is the Victorian Town Hall and 13th century Tower House. The Tower House was built as a defensive residence guarding the river crossing and town. Talgarth Information & Resource Centre can be found on the ground floor. Approximately 100 yards upstream of the Tower House the River Ellywe joins the River Ennig to run through the town.

Almost directly opposite the Tower House is Talgarth Mill, a fully restored 18th century working flour mill. The mill incorporates a bakery producing a
variety of breads using traditional methods. Enjoy local and seasonal food and drink in the Riverside cafe within the mill. Take a walk along the banks of the river and see the restored waterwheel turning.

One and a half miles from the centre of Talgarth is Pwll-y-wrach Nature Reserve. One of Brecknock Wildlife Trusts most visited reserves comprising 8.5 hectares of ancient woodland along the banks of the River Ennig. At one point the river plunges over a spectacular waterfall to a dark pool, the largest in a series of waterfalls within the wood.

This pool is known as Pwll-y-wrach, meaning Witches Pool, suggesting witches may have been ducked in this pool in medieval times.

Pwll-y-Wrach

Just outside Talgarth, on the Brecon Road is Bronllys Castle, a late eleventh or early twelfth century motte with a thirteenth century round stone keep. The keep has three floors giving fine views of the countryside.

Talgarth Festival of the Countryside is a popular family summer festival with attractions located around the town and is free!

Hay-on-Wye, is a small pretty town approximately 5 miles away. It is known throughout the world as the `Town of Books`. There are some 30 bookshops. You could pick up your holiday reading from here. There are a variety of galleries, antique and craft shops, restaurants and pubs. Hay-on-Wye also has a castle.

Hay Bluff (677m), stands behind the town and can be reached by following the Capel-y-Ffin road. You will come to a parking spot where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Brecon Beacons, Radnorshire and Herefordshire. From here you could walk to the top. If you continue to drive along the road it will take you between Hay Bluff and the Twmpa, this is known as the Gospel Pass. Along this road you will come to Llanthony Priory. The road continues to Abergavenny or you can cross to Crickhowell. Hay Bluff is popular for Hang Gliding.

The Hay-on-Wye Festival of Literature, in early summer, attracts many visitors to the town. Famous writers, politicians, poets, musicians and comedians provide endless entertainment during the 10 days of festival.

The campsite can be busy during Hay Festival and early booking is advised. The Hay Festival Shuttle Bus picks up and drops off close to the campsite.

Festival Box Office and Enquiries 01497 822629, Hay Festival

Brecon, a cathedral town, is larger than Hay-on-Wye and is approximately 10 miles away. There are two museums, the Brecknock Museum, considered to be one of the finest small museums in Wales and the Regimental Museum. This museum houses the history of the Royal Regiment of Wales, and is reputed to have the finest collection of weapons to be found in any regimental museum in the country.

The Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal runs through the town. You can travel on this historical waterway, a fantastic feat of engineering, built before roads and railways. Cruise through a canal lock and over an aqueduct carrying the canal over the River Usk. Dragonfly Cruises Telephone 07831 685222.

Brecon also has a cinema and a theatre:
The Coliseum Cinema, Wheat Street, Brecon. LD3 7DG
Telephone: 01874 622501 Website

Theatre Brycheiniog, Canal Wharf, Brecon. LD3 7EW
Box Office: 01874 611622 Website

Brecon Jazz Festival is a three day event held during August. Expect around 25 concerts over the weekend, which will also feature free family events - Fireworks on Friday, a Jazz Carnival Parade on Saturday and the Jazz Service on Sunday.

Jazz Festival Box Office, 01497 822629, Hay Festival

Crickhowell, is a picturesque historic town approximately 17 miles away and is on the A40 road to Abergavenny. A well-known feature of the town is the 16th century bridge spanning the River Usk. Thirteen arches can be seen from one end of the bridge, whilst only twelve are visible from the other end! Crickhowell boasts a wide range of small retail businesses and has a traditional department store.

At the end of May artists open their studios and galleries to visitors when you can follow the Crickhowell Art Trail.

Abergavenny, is a large town, approximately 22 miles away, and is known as the Gateway to Wales. Tuesday, Friday and Saturday are market days and are very popular with locals as well as visitors. The Market Hall is also used for special markets and fairs. You can enjoy the Linda Vista Gardens, where you will find rare orchids and shrubs. There is a museum within the grounds of the old castle. Four more castles are within a few miles of Abergavenny.

The drive to Abergavenny, passing through Talgarth, is spectacular, with the Black Mountains on one side and the Brecon Beacons on the other. Keep one eye on the winding road! Along this road you will pass by the ancient site of Castell Dinas, reputed to have been the highest castle in Wales. Further on you will come to the medieval Tretower Castle and Court.