Brecon
"One of the most popular market towns in South Wales"
Brecon is centrally positioned in the National Park and is a very popular resort for walkers, mountain bikers and those who just enjoy being within the beautiful surrounding countryside with its' panoramic views. The cathedral town boasts two museums; the Welsh Borderer's Museum houses a diorama of Rorke's Drift and the Brecknock Museum with a display of rural life, natural history and ancient Brecon. There is a visitors centre at Brecon Cathedral along with a shop and cafe. Recreational facilities include boating, tennis, a new leisure centre with an indoor swimming pool, various children's parks and two fine golf courses. The town centre is quaint with two supermarkets, shops and a wide selection of restaurants, Inns and cafes. There is an annual world renowned Jazz Festival held in the town during August attracting visitors and performers from all over the world. There are many walks from the town centre, along the promenade, through the "Groves", up into the Beacons, along the river banks or canal or just into the surrounding countryside. In the surrounding area there are many country village Inns worth a visit. Five miles from Brecon is the National Park's Mountain Centre, a centre exhibiting the natural history, geology and scenery in the area. There is a cafe, picnic area and shop where, with the aid of wardens, 'activity days' can be planned and guided walks are organised. The Brecon Beacons National Park covers about 519 square miles with the Black Mountains in the east near Crickhowell & Abergavenny, the Beacons in the middle with Pen-y-Fan rising to 2907ft and the Black Mountain and Carmarthen Fans in the west. It is possible to drive to the Gower Peninsula or Pembrokeshire Coast in less than two hours. From the western edge of the Park it is much more accessible.
