Explore the local area

Bannau Brycheiniog, Brecon Beacons National Park

Bannau Brycheiniog is oblong, cut into four diverse sections by main roads. From the east (the border with England) there are the Black Mountains with deep valleys and tiny churches and a 16 mile stretch of Offa's dyke. The central area is confusingly also called the Brecon Beacons.

Forest Fawr moves towards the west and is barren but geologically exciting. Limestone country. Fifteen miles distant the Beacons slope into Carmarthenshire with the last section called (again a little confusingly) the Black Mountain. Remote walking countryside. The whole covers 110 square miles of hills, cliffs, moorland walking and valleys filled with waterfalls.

At 2,750 feet the highest peak is Pen y Fan, now much less snow clad in winter than even fifteen years ago. There are other high summits and ridges far less crowded – and to be recommended. Lots of maps in the house.

Across the valley from the Storehouse are the foothills of the central section of the National Park and paths lead directly from the house. There is also gentle walking along the canal tow path (all 32 miles of it) which in one direction will take you to Brecon. There are buses back.

Gentle paths lead up to hill forts, Roman encampments, exquisite small churches and ruined castles. Along the canal banks are overgrown lime kilns and remnants of hair- raising tram roads that carried stone and lime to the barges below. Towards “the Valleys” just to the south are the vestiges of Wales' important coal and industrial history with Blaenavon, a World Heritage Site, having some of the earliest blast furnaces of the Industrial revolution.

Swimming

Cold pools and streams and the warmer river Usk are for bathing, or a local swimming pool for the more serious. If sea swimming is required the closest is along the Gower peninsular with its unending sands, 40 miles away.

Attractions

The Big Pit, close by, is a museum that takes visitors 800' down to walk through the history of coal mining. Terrific, but not for the claustrophobic.

Activities

The Beacons are crossed with paths, cycle tracks and equestrian trails while above and below people glide (strongly recommended), canoe, cave, play golf and rock climb. There are riding stables and dinghy sailing close by at Llangorse, the National Gardens of Wales are a reasonable day trip from the house and a little further beyond is the Pembrokeshire coast with its old fashioned sandy beaches and migrating puffins on Skomer Island.

Shopping

Hay on Wye for books and pleasing small shops, with walks in the eastern end of the Brecon Beacons is 16 miles distant and the small market on Thursday mornings is a delight. Builth Wells, Llandovery and Llandeilo all have beckoning antique shops and are worth visits in their own right.