Brecon

Brecon (Welsh: Aberhonddu) is in many ways a typical small Welsh market town in Mid Wales. The surrounding scenery is quite stunning, as Brecon is located within the Brecon Beacons National Park, which extends to the south, east and west.

Understand

Brecon remains a town although it has a cathedral. It is ythe former county town of Brecknockshire, a traditional county which now forms the southernmost part of the modern county of Powys.

Get in

By train

The nearest stations are at Abergavenny, Merthyr Tydfil and Llandovery. A bus meets incoming trains at Merthyr. Travel from Cardiff to Brecon takes about an hour and fifteen minutes up the A470.

By bus

There are direct bus links to Swansea and Cardiff and also to Llandovery and Abergavenny along the A40.

By car

A470 from near Cardiff, A4067 from near Swansea

Get around

The town is best explored on foot, which is part of the charm.

See

For most people the main reason for visiting Brecon is as a base for visiting the national park. In town, however, there are worthwhile diversions:

• 1 Brecon Cathedral, Cathedral Close, ☏ +44 1874 623857. Brecon Cathedral is a small church, but is however interesting and worth a visit. Started as a fortification built by the half brother of William the Conqueror after he captured the town in 1094, the church is now a delightful place to visit. Three hundred years after its foundation, the church becaome Priory Church of St John the Evangelist, which has been described as 'half Church of God and half castle against the Welsh.' Inside the encircling walls of the cathedral close survive the most unique group of monastic buildings in Wales.  
• 2 Christ College, Bridge Street, ☏ +44 1874 615440. Founded in 1541 when King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, there are several lovely buildings to visit. 
• River walk Follow the trail beside the cathedral for a pleasant walk down the Afon Honddu and along the River Usk. Can become a bit steep for the unfit.
• 3 Brecknock Museum, Captains Walk, ☏ +44 1874 624121. It exhibits local history and art. (updated Jun 2017)
• 4 Y Gaer. The remains of a Roman fort. (updated Jun 2017)

Do

• 1 Brecon Leisure Centre, Penlan, ☏ +44 1874 623677. Good for rainy days, indoor pool, ten pin bowling and climbing wall. 
• Walking in the National Park. Brecon is a good base for hiking in the Beacons including Pen y Fan, the highest peak in Southern Britain. 
• Cradoc Golf Club. This course hosts an annual competition of all the Welsh Club Champions. 

Events

• Brecon Jazz Festival: August.  (date needs updating)

Buy

• Farmers Market is in the market hall on the second Saturday of the month.

Eat

• 1 Felin Fach Griffin (Griffin y Felin Fach), Felin Fach, Brecon LD3 0UB, ☏ +44 1874 620111, enquiries@eatdrinksleep.ltd.uk. Country pub with rooms, dog-friendly, and good restaurant. B&B double £140. (updated Dec 2021)
• 2 Bridge Cafe Bed and Breakfast, 7 Bridge Street (opposite Christ College, 5 minutes walk from town centre), ☏ +44 1874 622024, info@bridgecafe.co.uk. Friday and Saturday from 6:30PM. Home cooking, local beers and cider. Restricted opening hours; see website. Small and friendly Brecon town B and B, with just 3 rooms especially for hikers and cyclists. Log fire, real coffee, free Wi-Fi, plenty of maps and guide books to borrow. Evening meals Fridays and Saturdays from Easter to end of October. 

Sleep

• 1 Wellington Hotel, The Bulwark, ☏ +44 1874 625225. Probably the best hotel in the centre of town. There are 19 rooms costing from £70 for a double including breakfast, and also free wireless internet access. 
• Coach House, 12 Orchard St LD3 8AN, ☏ +44 1874 620043. Upscale B&B in a Georgian coach house. No children under 15 or dogs. B&B double £100. (updated May 2020)

Go next

• Brecon Beacons National Park Many things to do, including a climb to the top of Pen y Fan (pronounced pen Ur van), the highest mountain in South Wales.
• Llandovery. A picturesque market town about a forty minute drive west from Brecon.
• Swansea. Superb beaches, leisure facilities and cultural events. Swansea is about a one hour drive to the south west.
• Cardiff. Wales' capital offers great shopping and museums. Cardiff is about an hour's drive to the south east.
• Merthyr Tydfil

Routes through Brecon

Llandovery ← Trecastle ←

W  SE

→ Crickhowell → Abergavenny