Things to do in the Brecon Beacons: 15 Incredible Ideas

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Looking for the best things to do in the Brecon Beacons? You’ve come to the right place! I’ve rounded up 15 highlights from this beautiful place in Wales.

Wales; the land of rolling valleys, more sheep than you can count, and friendly locals with a cracking Welsh accent!

Planning my first trip to this part of the UK was so exciting! I hadn’t been to Wales before and my first visit to the Beacons was a complete success.

After a summer in the Lake District and a road trip across Scotland, I had no doubt that Wales would be just as beautiful. 

Accommodation booked and location decided, it was time to research the best things to do in the Brecon Beacons for our visit in October. 

The Beacons are one of three of Wales’ national parks, located in the south. Established in 1957, the national park covers 519 square miles.

They stretch from Llandeilo in the west to Hay-on-Wy in the northeast and Pontypool in the southeast. 

Visiting Wales? I’ve planned an EPIC road trip for first-timers!

Things to do in the Brecon Beacons

The most famous peak in the park is Pen Y Fan. It’s summited by hikers every day of the year.

One of the most famous views in the park is the wide hill range of the Black Mountains.

This spreads from Powys in southeast Wales to Herefordshire, the border of England!

Most of the national park is made up of grassy moorland and rolling valleys. Not forgetting the hundreds of sheep you’ll share your view with!

🌳 If you’re exploring the Beacons, head to the waterfalls and historic castles to soak in some Welsh culture. 

🗺️ My worldwide must-have: A wheelie backpack! Check out my favourite, the Osprey 65L wheeled backpack. It’s dreamy for long-term trips and when you need more than a carry-on!

The Beacons are the perfect place to visit if you want a slow, peaceful trip.

We took a relaxed approach to research the best things to do in the Brecon Beacons.

This was our personal choice, and we absolutely loved it! Sometimes you just need a chill trip, right?

We had a weekend full of nature, walks, waterfalls, cake, and coffee. All at our own pace, and in our own time. And it was perfect.

I have made a list of the best things to do in the Brecon Beacons, especially if you’re a first-timer!

Whether you fancy a weekend like us in the slow lane or would prefer to tick every Brecon Beacons activity box, this post will help you to have the best weekend away in Wales! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

🗺️ My worldwide must-have: Solo travelling but still want to take photos?  📸 I’ve found the most perfect adjustable tripod that’s lightweight and easy to set up (you don’t want any awkward moments alone, I know how it feels!)

1) Hike Pen Y Fan

Translating to ‘Top Spot’, the Pen Y Fan summit sits at around 870m above sea level. Known for its unique views over the Beacons, it’s a walk that most people can do (without TOO much of a struggle!)

You’ll need average fitness levels and a good head for heights.

The walk can be done in most types of weather, even in the winter. Tom completed the walk in the pouring rain, and although he said he was freezing cold, he managed to summit relatively easily and within 1 hour 45 minutes. 

Start off on the ‘Motorway’ route for the simplest and quickest journey to the peak.

If you’re thinking of hiking Pen Y Fan, check out my detailed guide on Pen Y Fan here! 🥾

2) Trek the Four Falls Walk

The circular walk through ‘Waterfall Country’ is one of the best things to do in the Brecon Beacons. 

The walk takes you to 4 different waterfalls on a 4.5-mile trail, and should take around 3-4 hours to see all four andbe back at the car park. 

The walk can be done by the majority, but wheelchairs and buggies are not recommended. This is due to some scrambling at the different waterfall sights. 

3) Climb Fan Y Big and Waun Fach

If you’ve completed Pen Y Fan, or fancy summiting a different peak in the park, Fan Y Big and Waun Fach are popular climbing routes. 

• Fan Y Big is 719m high and has some of the best views of the Beacons from the summit. The walk doesn’t require any previous mountain experience, and the 7-mile distance will take you a few hours to complete the circular walk back to the car park. 

• Waun Fach is the highest peak in the Black Mountain range. With a summit of 811m, it’s a challenging walk that will take you over 4 hours. With a distance of 12.7km, you’ll need a good level of fitness and a well-packed hiking bag!

4) Go castle spotting

Another one of the best things to do in the Brecon Beacons is to go castle spotting! (It’s more exciting than you think, I promise).

Wherever you’re based in the Beacons, there will be a historic castle within a short distance for you to soak in some good old Welsh culture.

With hundreds of castles telling tales of past kings and queens, haunted ghost stories, and spotting the rubble of ancient ruins, it’s a great day out for everyone!

👻 Head to Carreg Cennen for a haunting, atmospheric castle, or Abergavenny for a picturesque castle amongst the Beacon hills. 

5) Visit the medieval churches of the Beacons

There are tons of churches in the Beacons to be seen and enjoyed.

From stain glass windows to grand architecture, it’s a great thing to do in the Brecon Beacons for any age.

6) Stop off for a coffee and a cake

Honestly, this may sound super simple, but it was one of our favourite things to do in the Brecon Beacons. 

Going from walk to walk and hike to hike, the best pit stop is in a local coffee shop with some handmade cake. 

🍰 Check out the Coffee Box in Brecon for the most ridiculously good chocolate-covered cappuccinos (with a side of walnut cake!)

7) Stroll around the small Welsh villages

Another easy and fun thing to do in the Brecon Beacons is to visit some of the small villages throughout the National Park.

You’ll find cute traditional high streets full of independent shops, mountain wear boutiques, pubs, bars, and restaurants. My favourite kind of village.

Head to Llandeilo for traditional pubs, Brecon for a real high-street vibe, Hay-On-Wye for pretty views, or Crickhowell for real tranquil and peaceful Welsh village life. 

8) Tuck into a Sunday roast, or try a traditional Welsh cake

You can’t go to the Beacons and not tuck into a Sunday roast or try a Welsh cake!

I mean, food is part of travelling, right?! 

Most pubs will serve a decent Sunday roast between 12-6 each week, with succulent roast beef, Yorkshire puds, juicy gravy, and fresh vegetables.

Ooh, and most take their ingredients from the local farm which just adds to the flavour!

9) Walk through the pretty woodlands and forest

All over the Beacons, you’ll find pockets of woodland and forest. This is one of my favourite kinds of walking and in my opinion, the best thing to do in the Brecon Beacons!

Walk off the beaten track and wander through the towering trees.

Why not go the extra mile?! Bring a picnic blanket and stop off for lunch, or pack your wellies and jump in the muddy puddles under the trees! A perfect day out in the Brecon Beacons.

You don’t necessarily need hiking boots for Wales, but I wore mine on our walks. It made them a lot easier and I was much more stable. You can buy my favourite walking boots here.

10) Visit the Brecon Mountain Railway

Another fun thing to do in the Brecon Beacons is to visit the Brecon Mountain Railway.

The line runs from Pant to Torpantau, following part of a train route that closed in 1964.

The journey takes you through the Brecon Beacons National Park, travelling through mountain valleys and hillsides. 

Throughout the year, the railway hosts different events and specials. If you head to the railway in December, you’ll be able to visit Santa’s Grotto! 🎅

If you’re still booking flights, I recommend checking lastminute.com for the latest deals. Recently, we were able to save £50 on our flights just by booking through Last Minute!

11) Take your Instagram shots in Llandeilo

It’s been said that there are fewer prettier towns in south Wales than Llandeilo!

It’s the perfect Instagram spot for cute pastel-coloured houses with green backdrops, without the huge crowds clambering over you to get the perfect shot (cough cough, Santorini).

Not only is it a great place to take a photo, but the high street is full of independent boutiques, gin tasting stop-offs, fancy restaurants for date nights, and a heavenly chocolate emporium.

It really is the perfect little town in the Brecon Beacons!

🗺️ My worldwide must-have:  I use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips. As they print instantly, they’re perfect for making a scrapbook and writing in all your favourite and funniest memories. I’ve even got my boyfriend joining in on it now too!

12) Admire the view at Llangors Lake

Llangors Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Wales and is known for its fishing. But if you don’t fancy getting the rod and pole out, it serves up some incredible views which can be enjoyed by all. 

The lake is closely situated to the small town of Brecon, and is a great spot to have a picnic or go for an afternoon stroll. 

13) Hike Fan Hir

Another summit in the Brecon Beacons you can try is Fan Hir, which is located in the Black Mountains. 

With a peak of 760m, it’s one of the more challenging routes but offers incredible views.

Be sure to wrap up warm and take your hiking boots!

14) Be spooked in the Skirrid Mountain Inn 👻

Known as one of the oldest (and most haunted) pubs in Wales, the Skirrid Mountain Inn has woven itself into Welsh history and folklore. 

It’s a 900-year-old building with legends of ghosts and hauntings. You can stop off for a pint and a hearty meal whilst waiting for the spooky sights!

Visiting in October? Book a place on the ghost hunt special for Halloween! 👻

Many stay in the Skirrid to test their nerves, and see if they can make it through the night (me? Not a chance).

Stop off for a quick visit to feel the chills or if you’re a horror fan, book a night in a traditional four-poster bed and try your luck at ghost hunting! (Again, not a chance!)

15) Drive along the country lanes with the music up, windows down

Ok, this one isn’t specific to the Brecon Beacons, but it was one of my favourite things to do when we visited. 

To me, there’s nothing better than being in the car, driving along the slow lane, windows down, and music up.

It’s the perfect way to appreciate the nature and surroundings of the Brecon Beacons at your own pace!

Are the Brecon Beacons worth visiting?

Totally! The Brecon Beacons are one of the prettiest National Parks in the UK, and perfect for any hiking and outdoor fans.

The Brecon Beacons are one of Wales’ three national parks, and are located on a range of hills in southern Wales. They’re worth visiting as an escape from the city, and an idyllic weekend in the countryside.

A bit of an over-packer? I have the answer! I use these handy packing cubes for every trip, meaning I can pack nearly 2 times as much as I could without! They are so worth investing in!

What do people do at Brecon Beacons?

People visit the Brecon Beacons mainly as a break away from the city, or to get out into the countryside to hike. The Brecon Beacons are spread out over 520 sq miles, and include the Black Mountains and the famous Pen Y Fan.

You can spend your time in the Brecon Beacons walking, hiking, relaxing and enjoying the fresh countryside air!

What is special about the Brecon Beacons?

What makes the Brecon Beacons so special? Well, it’s a diverse and beautiful landscape, with endless countryside and valleys. You can walk through forests, caves, visit waterfalls, spot local flora and fauna and just immerse yourself in the beauty the Welsh countryside has to offer.

It’s also home to lots of local wildlife, making it just that extra bit special!

Are Brecon Beacons safe?

Absolutely. Wales as country is known for being safe, and the Brecon Beacons are a safe place to visit as a solo traveller. Common sense needs to come in to play, but on a whole, the Brecon Beacons are a safe place to visit.

How long does it take to climb Pen Y Fan?

Each route will take a different amount of time. If you choose the ‘Motorway’ route (the most popular), it will take you on average 2 hours.

However, if you pick the steeper route, which is the one Tom did, it can take you under an hour if you’re happy to do it without stops! You can check out all the info you will need to hike Pen Y Fan here.

What should I pack for the Brecon Beacons?

This all depends on the time of year you decide to visit the Brecon Beacons.

However, make sure you pack your hiking and walking gear (hiking boots, trainers, comfy clothes) at any time of year. Then you can make the most of the amazing walks in the countryside!

As long as you have something suitable to walk in, pack how you would for a regular weekend away. Jeans, jumpers, nice dresses for live music pub nights…you know the drill!

Best Things to Do in the Brecon Beacons: In a Nutshell

Visiting the Brecon Beacons is one of the best things to do in the UK!

With lots of walks, hikes, pubs, and things to do in the Brecon Beacons, it’s the perfect weekend break in the countryside. 

Our time in the Beacons was amazing.

We just soaked in every bit of nature and the countryside as possible, wrapping ourselves up in fresh air and endless green fields.

Got something to add to the best things to do in the Brecon Beacons? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy travelling!

Jennie 🙂 x

Check out my other Wales posts:

• The Ultimate Wales Road Trip for Beginners
• Pen Y Fan Walk: Everything You Need To Know

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