Kate W
09 October 2020
If you’re searching for the best places to stay in the Brecon Beacons National Park, take a look at the list of towns and villages below. We’ve put together a selection of our favourite places to visit to help you discover your perfect destination.
There are so many impressive places to go across the region; from tranquil Brecon Beacons villages where you can finally get a moment’s rest, to thriving towns filled with culture and character, you’ll soon find a fantastic destination for a well-deserved holiday. Take your pick of the towns filled with adventurous days out, foodie centres, and cultural gems which are scattered throughout this unforgettable region.
If you’re wondering where to go and where to stay in the Brecon Beacons National Park, read through our list and pick out your favourite! In our collection of perfect places to stay in the Brecon Beacons, there’s a delightful place to visit for everyone.
Hay-on-Wye - best for avid readers and keen explorers
Renowned as a Brecon Beacons destination for readers and writers, Hay-on-Wye has more to offer than you might expect. Adventurers can take to the water on a long, lazy canoe paddle or action-packed kayaking trip down the wide and wildlife-rich River Wye, while The Warren is a delightful riverside meadow perfect for family picnics. We have a lovely selection of Brecon Beacon cottages in and around Hay-on-Wye, ideal for a relaxing break any time of year.
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Abergavenny - best for families and foodies
Set in the shadow of Sugar Loaf Mountain, Abergavenny is one of the largest towns in the Brecon Beacons National Park and sits at the eastern edge of the region. This bustling centre is the ideal place to stay in the Brecon Beacons if you are looking for a stop with lots of amenities and a lively atmosphere. This town is renowned for its impressive food festival which takes place every year and claims to be the very best in Wales! There are plenty of great eateries, shops, gardens and a theatre to visit too.
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Crickhowell - best for history buffs
This popular town is right in the heart of the region, making it a wonderfully central place to stay in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Crickhowell in the Brecon Beacons actually takes its name from the nearby teardrop-shape Iron Age fort of Crug Hywel which sits on Table Mountain and overlooks the town. True to its name, it has many historical fixtures to visit including the castle ruins, market and beautiful old buildings lining the streets.
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Llangattock and the Llangattock Escarpment - best for cave hunters
Right across the river from Crickhowell sits the quaint little village of Llangattock. It’s home to a couple of country pubs, two churches and a chapel, and Brecon Park Boats, where you can hire a boat for a trip down the enchanting Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. However, this Brecon Beacons destination is perhaps best known for the Llangattock Escarpment, a serene nature reserve of boggy plateau and limestone cliffs that both lead down to a dark-water lake that hide the entrances to many caves and 18th-century quarries.
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Talgarth - best for wildlife and adventure
Talgarth sits in the north of the Brecon Beacons National Park, no more than 7 miles from popular Hay-on-Wye, and it provides historic and natural attractions to discover during a stay or a day visit. It’s relatively lively with a couple of shops and pubs about, but the real draw is the Pwell-yr-Wrach Reserve just on the outskirts of town where a spectacular waterfall tumbles into a dark pool known as ‘Witches Pool’ which this reserve was named after.
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Brecon - best for hikers and view seekers
The characterful town of Brecon is often the place many head to if they plan to conquer the heights of Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales whose name aptly translates to ‘top of the hill/beacon’. Bring along your walking gear and follow one of the four main trails that wind up and down this dramatic geological formation before settling down for a pint in one of the warm and welcoming pubs in Brecon or back at your own Brecon Beacons holiday cottage.
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Llandeilo - best for castle lovers and gardeners
Wales is renowned as the land of castles and where better than the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park to go hunting for these ancient fortifications? Dinefwr Castle, Carreg Cennen Castle, and Dryslwyn Castle are all impressive buildings to visit while Llandeilo itself is a delightful place to stay in the Brecon Beacons with independent shops, inspiring gardens and ancient woodland to investigate.
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Talybont-on-Usk - best for cycling and birdwatching
We had no choice but to add Talybont-on-Usk to our list of best places to stay in the Brecon Beacons as it’s right by the exquisite Talybont Reservoir. This marvellous stretch of water offers a circular trail that loops along the bank, Caerfanell Waterfalls to the north where you could take a swim, and a bird hide that overlooks a protected wetland which floods in the winter. Don’t think that’s all that is on offer though – Talybont-on-Usk has cycle trails, hills, woods, canals, craft shops and three pubs to choose from when you’re ready to dine out.
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Llangorse - best for water sports enthusiasts
Home to the largest lake in Mid and South Wales, a trip to Llangorse is sure to be filled with watery fun! The lake is a Site of Special Scientific Interest so there is a limit to the number of people who can head out on the water at one time but, once you are out there, you’ll have lots of space to make the most of. Boating, paddleboarding, and kayaking can all be enjoyed on Llangorse Lake, and there are two welcoming pubs where you can warm up after a day on the lake.
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Crai - best for stargazing and getting away from it all
This quaint village nestled in the north west of the Brecon Beacons National Park is an endearing place to stay if you enjoy a little peace and quiet during your getaway. You could go fly fishing or enjoy a waterside walk down at Cray Reservoir, pop in to the peaceful St. Ilid's Church to take in the atmosphere, or simply stay at your holiday cottage and do nothing at all. It’s a true escape from the worries of the world within scenic rural Welsh countryside.
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We hope we’ve provided you with a bit of inspiration with all these wonderful places to stay the Brecon Beacons. For more things to do and places to go, take a look at our ultimate guide to the Brecon Beacons.
All that’s left is to pick out the perfect holiday cottage that you and your travel companions will all love. Take a look throughout our collection of Brecon Beacons retreats below.
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.