Julie Smith
24 November 2021
With peaceful riverside walks, endless amounts of countryside for canine companions to explore and lots of country pubs that will happily welcome four-legged friends, it’s no wonder that the Brecon Beacons is one of the UK’s top dog-friendly destinations.
There’s also lots of dog-friendly Brecon Beacons cottages where you can rest your heads after days of exploring - what more reason do you need to treat your favourite four-legged friends to a getaway to this wonderful part of Wales?
Dog-friendly days outs
The wide open countryside of the Brecon Beacons is perfect (or should that be pawfect) for fun-filled days out with four-legged friends. There are plenty of gentle streams for dogs to paddle in while exploring this peaceful landscape and lots of scenic spots where you can stop for a picnic.
Tretower Court
This medieval manor house is located close to the ancient market town of Crickhowell and dogs are welcome to join you in Tretower Court’s grounds and gardens as well as throughout the ground floor level of this well-preserved historic site. Highlights include the grand hall which is laid out for a sumptuous medieval feast and a specially recreated 15th-century garden.
National Park Visitor Centre
Known locally as Mountain Centre, the National Park Visitor Centre has wonderful views across to Pen Y Fan from its location in the village of Libanus near Brecon. The dog-friendly visitor centre features a tearoom with a gift shop that’s full of local crafts and a play area to keep kids happy. There are also lots of peaceful lanes and open countryside around the visitor centre that are perfect for a dog walk.
Blaenavon
The Blaenavon World Heritage Site is set within 33 square kilometres at the base of the Brecon Beacons and comprises a range of attractions celebrating the industrial past of this special part of Wales. Dogs on leads are welcome to join you at the Blaenavon Ironworks and Big Pit National Coal museums. Four-legged friends can even travel for free on the Blaenavon Heritage Railway so that you can take a scenic steam train journey through this unique landscape.
Brecon Mountain Railway
Take a vintage steam train from Pant to Torpantau on the Brecon Mountain Railway which follows part of the original route of the historic Brecon to Merthyr line from 1859. The handsome dog-friendly carriages will carry you high up into the hills of the Brecon Beacons National Park alongside Pontsticill Reservoir where you can alight the train for a scenic stroll and refreshments at the Lakeside Cafe.
Henrhyd Falls
Not only is Henrhyd Falls the highest waterfall in South Wales but this National Trust owned site was also a filming location for The Dark Knight Rises. The pool of water at the bottom of the falls is a popular spot for wild swimming if your pooch fancies a paddle and you can take a scenic walk together through the surrounding woodland. Discover more pretty Brecon Beacons waterfalls.
National Showcaves Centre
You can explore one of the most spectacular natural features of the Brecon Beacons with a visit to the National Showcaves Centre near Abercraf. Dogs on leads can join you in exploring the magical caverns including the enormous Cathedral Cave which features cascading waterfalls and beautifully delicate stalactites. The caves are also just a short walk from the 40-acre Craig-y-Nos Country Park which is filled with dog-friendly woodland and meadows.
Garwnant Visitor Centre
The Garwnant Forest lies on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park and includes play areas, puzzle trails, picnic benches and a dog-friendly visitor centre where you can plan your route around the 400 acres of woodland. The Willow Walk is an accessible trail that’s suitable for buggies and wheelchairs as well as older and less mobile four-legged friends.
Brecon Park Boats
You can take a relaxing canal journey along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal by hiring a dog-friendly electric boat for the day. Self-drive six and eight-seater options are available from Brecon Park Boats and there’s plenty of space for a four-legged friend to come along for the ride. Pets can even join you in a canoe if you fancy rowing down the canal and it’s worth heading up north to the pretty village of Llangynidr where you can stop for lunch at a pub, the dog-friendly Coach and Horses.
Dog-friendly walks
As you would expect in somewhere as beautiful and unspoilt as the Brecon Beacons, there are some wonderfully scenic dog walks. Here are just some of our favourite pooch-friendly routes to try:
Hay Bluff
One of the most popular peaks in the Black Mountains, Hay Bluff has a handy car park for walkers and spectacular views from the summit where you can stop for a while with a picnic. There are waymarked paths to follow to the top and if you fancy extending your trip to the top into a bracing walk, you can follow the Offa’s Dyke Path to the Twmpa for a 6-mile circular route.
Elidir Trail
The Elidir Trail is a scenic 2.5-mile walk through the heart of waterfall country in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Starting off in the village of Pontneddfechan the route follows the path of the River Neath past Dinas Rock to Sgwd Gwladus, a waterfall surrounded by ancient woodland that’s also known as Lady Falls. The route is fairly flat and gentle making it a great choice for smaller four-legged friends.
Four Falls Trail
Another great dog-friendly walk to try is the 4.5-mile long Four Falls Trail which starts at the Gwaun Hepste car park and follows the path of the River Mellte past a quartet of cascading waterfalls. This walk is steeper and more challenging than the Elidir Trail so you’ll need a moderate level of fitness and good walking shoes for the route.
Talybont-on-Usk
Talybont-on-Usk is one of the prettiest villages in the Brecon Beacons and a perfect base for a dog-friendly walk. There are several different walks that start in Talybont-on-Usk that take in canals, woodland and riverside pathways with a trio of dog-friendly pubs to call in once you’ve worked up an appetite. A popular route to try is the 2.5-mile Henry Vaughan walk which takes in the beautiful landscape that inspired this 17th-century Welsh poet.
River Usk and Llanwenarth
This 4-mile circular walk starts and ends in the popular market town of Abergavenny where you’ll find a selection of dog-friendly pubs and places to eat. The gentle walk starts off following the River Usk and takes in the medieval Usk Bridge and gentle rolling countryside on route to the peaceful village of Llanwenarth.
Dog-friendly pubs
There are dozens of dog-friendly pubs dotted around the Brecon Beacons with roaring log fires just waiting to warm toes and paws after scenic walks in the countryside. Here are just some of our favourite inns that will welcome your four-legged friends:
- Coach and Horses - this historic coaching inn is full of characterful original features and looks out over the Brecon and Monmouth canal from its scenic spot in the pretty village of Llangynidr.
- The Tanners Arms Inn - you’ll find chunky stone walls, open fires and home-cooked food on the menu at this cosy and atmospheric pet-friendly pub near Sennybridge.
- Brecon Tap - located right in the heart of Brecon, this pub specialises in local ale and pies with regular live music sessions and an outdoor drinking area.
- Hen & Chickens - this quirky pub is tucked away down a side street in Abergavenny with a selection of traditional board games available to play and a good selection of real ales on the menu.
- The Red Cow - nestled at the bottom at the Brecon Beacons National Park near the Pontsticill reservoir and Brecon Mountain Railway, this 19th-century limestone and slate inn offers a warm welcome and excellent home-cooked food.
Dog-friendly places to stay
If you have been inspired to treat your favourite four-legged friends to a wonderful getaway to the Brecon Beacons, here are just some of the dog-friendly cottages where you can rest your head after busy days of countryside adventures:
Tyffynon | Sleeps: 4 guests plus 2 dogs
It’s hard to beat the spectacular location of Tyffynon in Cwmdu which is surrounded on all sides by stunning Brecon Beacons countryside with a gorgeous, enclosed garden where you can make the most of its magical spot.
Tywi Barn | Sleeps: 6 guests plus 2 dogs
Located at the western edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, this three-bedroom barn conversion features a spacious open-plan kitchen/diner with double-height ceilings and dog-friendly slate floors. A BBQ and outdoor furniture in the enclosed garden are just right for al fresco summer dining with a view.
This detached Brecon Beacons holiday home comes with a luxurious private hot tub and access to 40 acres of land to explore with four-legged friends. There are lots of dog walks to try in the surrounding countryside and the popular market town of Abergavenny is less than 2 miles away.
You can gather extended family or friends together for an unforgettable Welsh getaway at this large rural barn conversion near Talybont-on-Usk. The barn features a pool table, trampoline and table tennis to keep everyone entertained and up to four dogs can join you on your holiday.
Browse our full collection of dog-friendly holiday cottages and start planning your next getaway to the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.