Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

National Park · Wales, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Population 33,485

Area 1,340 km²

Time zone Europe/London

Official website www.breconbeacons.org

Printable tourist map

Bannau Brycheiniog National Park – Planning a Trip?

Build your day-by-day itinerary in the Tripomatic app.

Start Planning

Featured Lists

Arpingstone / Public domain

Brecon Beacons National Park: The Absolute Essentials

Spanning over 500 square miles, this National Park is defined by the Old Red Sandstone peaks of the central Beacons, including Pen y Fan, the highest summit in South Wales. The landscape encompasses the limestone pavements of the west, the 17-kilometre Dan-yr-Ogof cave system, and the 90-foot drop of Henrhyd Falls. Significant historical sites include the 12th-century ruins of Llanthony Priory, the cliff-top Carreg Cennen Castle, and the industrial heritage preserved along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal and the narrow-gauge Brecon Mountain Railway.

15 places

Ben Salter / CC BY 2.0

Welsh Mountains and Peaks

The Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains of South Wales feature a diverse range of summits, from the iconic red sandstone peak of Pen y Fan to the high plateau of Waun Fach. This region encompasses significant historical sites, including Castell Dinas, the highest castle ruins in Wales and England. The landscape is defined by glacial escarpments, ancient hillforts, and the long ridge of the Black Mountain along the English border. These peaks offer expansive moorland views and access to geological features like the Sugar Loaf and Skirrid Fawr.

18 places

Immanuel Giel / Public domain

Historic Sites of Wales

This collection spans millennia of Welsh history within the Brecon Beacons National Park. It features Iron Age hillforts like Castell Dinas, the highest castle site in Wales, and significant Roman military remains at Cicucium. Medieval power is represented by the dramatic ruins of Carreg Cennen and Tretower Court. The list also highlights the region's industrial evolution, including the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal and the historic Brecon Mountain Railway, alongside ancient megaliths like the Maen Llia standing stone.

47 places

Sloman / Public domain

Waterfalls and Caves of Wales

This collection highlights the geological diversity of the Brecon Beacons National Park, featuring the 17-kilometre Dan-yr-Ogof cave system and the celebrated Four Waterfalls Walk. The list includes Sgwd yr Eira, where a public path leads directly behind the curtain of water. Beyond these natural features, the selection encompasses historic industrial engineering, including the 18th-century Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal and several expansive reservoirs and dams that define the region's upland landscape and water management history.

17 places

JohnArmagh / Public domain

Historic Churches and Chapels

This collection spans the diverse religious landscape of the Brecon Beacons, from the 12th-century ruins of Llanthony Priory to the secluded chapels of the Welsh Methodist revival. Highlights include Brecon Cathedral’s Gothic architecture, the unique 19th-century sgraffito murals at Llanfair Kilgeddin, and Grade I listed medieval sites like Partrishow Church. These churches and chapels represent centuries of Anglican, Baptist, and Presbyterian heritage set within the valleys and hills of the National Park.

41 places

Campsites and Caravan Parks

This collection features diverse accommodation across the Brecon Beacons National Park, ranging from full-facility holiday parks to basic farm-based pitches. Key locations include sites adjacent to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, the River Usk, and Llangorse Lake. Several sites, such as Pencelli Castle and Priory Mill Farm, are situated on historic grounds. Facilities across the list vary, with options offering electric hookups, wheelchair-accessible amenities, and proximity to major hiking trails like the Offa’s Dyke Path and the ascent to Pen y Fan.

27 places