Brecon town is bustling with markets, antique stores and coffee shops located on the top edge of the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park. Brecon is a great place to pit stop after wearing your shoe soles thin in the National Park.
Brecon is most famously known for its independent shops and cafés, history and the Brecon Jazz Festival (unfortunately postponed this year due to Covid-19). It genuinely feels like stepping back in time when walking amongst the streets of Brecon where telephone boxes seem like the main way to contact people. How about trying the 95 year old cinema for the new recent IMAX movie? The contrast between modern and old is a recurring theme in this wonderful town.
The Taff Trail (a 55 mile walking/cycle route) also starts in Brecon, leading south all the way to Cardiff Bay. Brecon is the perfect base to explore the National park, immerse yourself in watersports, abseiling, rocks climbing, hiking and cycling, as well as fishing in the local rivers, canals and lakes.
What is there to see in Brecon?
Canal Basin
Where better to relax, enjoying a cup of coffee and a muffin than next to the canal? The canal is recognised as one of the more beautiful in the South Wales network. A perfect place to set off on a boat for a few hours or to begin a cycle ride into the National Park.
Brecon Cathedral
The wonderfully constructed cathedral is settled in amongst a beautiful garden. There is a heritage centre on site with a restaurant and shop including an exhibition centre narrating the story of Brecon Priory from its 1093AD beginnings to its present use. A lovely couple of hours that can be enjoyed just a short walk from the main high-street of Brecon.
If you’re interested in architecture then taking a walk around Brecon will excited you. Many of the streets are lined with Georgian fronted grade ii listed houses and shops
Castle Hotel
From the view below it seems like there is a castle ruin to be explored. Interestingly this isn’t the case as the castle has been immersed into the structure of the Castle Hotel. A great place to stay over night when exploring Brecon and the National park.
The Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh
Have you ever heard of, or seen the 1964 movie ‘Zulu’? A film based on the accomplishments of the 24th Regiment during the 1879 Anglo-Zulu war, depicting the Battle of Rorke’s Drift. Here, just over 150 British and colonial soldiers (30 of whom were sick and wounded patients) defended the outpost against 4,000 Zulu warriors. The majority of these soldiers were associated with the regimental depot based out of Brecon. Queen Victoria referred to this regiment as ‘The Noble 24th’.
The display of the Victoria Crosses and memorabilia in the museum is very thought provoking and is not to be missed.
Antique shops
Don’t you just love those antique shops in which you search around and find some hidden gems for remarkable prices? Brecon high street is seething with independently owned shop stores where window shopping is a must. We were drawn in by almost every store. If it wasn’t for the Coronavirus pandemic I think we would have been inside every single shop.
Our go to treat for an evening relaxing is chocolate. Without going into too much detail, we love chocolate. If you’re strolling around Brecon just stop by the door of this particular chocolatier, a treat that cannot be missed.
Markets
If you’re into markets and fresh produce then this old market hall will be the place for you. With a family run butchers, fishmongers and other independent stores entwined into the market hall, you will once again feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Beacons National Park
The Brecon Beacons is a mountain range home to the the highest mountain in South Wales, Pen y Fan. Enjoyed by people all over Wales and further, the National Park is loved for its green open spaces offering miles of wonderful walking. If you enjoy the great outdoors you can’t miss the Brecon Beacons. Read more about what’s on offer in the National Park in our blog COMING SOON: Brecon Beacons National Park: The Great Outdoors.
For now check out what other places Wales has to offer.
Travelling Translated
