TOWN The river can be interesting and challenging On The Water and can be run between October and March or on other occasions as indicated by the MAP There are many opportunities to indulge in local gauges. There are some access/egress INSIDE! activities in and around . Canoeing The Promenade List of Local Advertisers points provided along the bank of the River or kayaking may be of interest. There is The Promenade offers a fantastic outdoor space Usk to assist the paddler both on the canal Morgans - Vintage & Collectables Beacons Antiques the Brecon & Monmouthshire Canal which in which to walk, play, picnic and enjoy the wonderful and the river. www.breconbeacons.org.uk 8 The Struet, Brecon LD3 7LL 2 The Bulwark, Brecon LD3 7LB starts at the Brecon Basin and flows on fresh air. Sitting adjacent to the River Usk, the longest 07891955474 01874 623883 Brecon down towards Talybont-on-Usk through the of the rivers in the National park, it is an important area for [email protected] [email protected] Nicholls Country Store The paddler may consider contacting Brecon 6b The Bulwark, Brecon LD3 7LB Beacons Crafts The Retreat - Yoga Brynich Lock (at this point the paddler may Canoe Club for local advice wildlife and nature. 01874 420350 Bethel Square, Brecon LD3 7JP (Robs No Worries Yoga) wish to turn around and head back to Brecon www.breconcanoeclub.org.uk [email protected] Hire a rowing boat or pedalo, play in the park, be entertained in the 01874 625706 Wellbeing Centre, St Mary St, having travelled 2.5 Miles). The canal’s water [email protected] LD3 7AA Brecon If fishing is the interest then the River Usk amusement arcade or just enjoy the views with a coffee or ice cream. Newly fyibrecon.com 01874 625358 www.fyibrecon.com is fed from the River Usk and is available for Bobbins refurbished toilet facilities are available and there is plenty of parking. [email protected] 07926 196714 between the Promenade to Gwennies Lane 6 The Bulwark, Brecon LD3 7LB most of the year. For those who don’t own [email protected] will provide good fishing opportunities in the 01874 622287 The Retreat - Sports Wellbeing a boat, canoes and day boats can be hired The bandstand hosts regular entertainment events through the summer appropriate seasons in a tranquil setting. [email protected] Massage (Sharons Body Work Clinic) Castle of Brecon Hotel at the basin or take a 2.5 hour organised (contact Brecon Town Council on 01874 622884 for info). Wellbeing Centre, St Mary St, www.breconcastle.co.uk Brecon Books There are two fishing associations for this Brecon, LD3 7AA 01874 624611 cruise in a narrow boat with refreshments 11 Lion Yard, Brecon LD3 7BA stretch of water, Brecon Angling Society and 01874 625358 [email protected] and commentary whilst passing through 01874 620086 [email protected] Breconshire Usk Fishery Association. Fishing [email protected] Fire & Stove Shop Ltd. beautiful countryside turning at the winding The Retreat - Holistic & Old Surgery, St Mary’s Street, permits are available from the Guildhall The Clarence Inn Massage Therapies Brecon LD3 7AA after inspecting the Brynich Aqueduct then 25 Watton, Brecon LD3 7ED and various other outlets in the town. Don’t Wellbeing Centre, St Mary St, 01874 622088 returning to the basin. 01874 622810 forget a rod licence is also required. To fish Brecon, LD3 7AA [email protected] [email protected] 01874 625358 For the paddler looking for moving water on the Brecon & Monmouthshire Canal a Cotswold Outdoor [email protected] The Proper Pizza Co. Old Tool Box, Lion Yard, Brecon there are the Rivers Usk, Tarell and Honddu, further licence is required which can be 102 The Struet, Brecon LD3 7LT Likeys 01874 620036 which all flow through Brecon Town and obtained from Canal & River Trust. 01874 622551 2 The Struet, Brecon LD3 7LH [email protected] down through the picturesque Usk Valley. 01874 722900 Harleys Bars www.canalrivertrust.org.uk 8 Bell Lane, Brecon LD3 9EE Owen Sports [email protected] 01874 624232 48 High Street, Brecon LD3 7AP The Hours www.harleysbars.co.uk 01874 622232 15 Ship Street, Brecon LD3 9AD [email protected] 01874 622800 Morgans Butcher 103 The Struet, Brecon LD3 9EE Ty Helyg Guest House [email protected] 01874 623522 39 Watton, Brecon LD3 7EG Centre of Attention www.morgansbrecon.co.uk 01874 623321 9 Lion Street, Brecon LD3 7HY [email protected] 01874 623233 Beacons Laundry St Mary’s Street, Brecon Young’s of Brecon [email protected] 07809 485829 The Old Post Office, St Mary’s St, The Grange Guesthouse Riding Brecon LD3 7AA 22 The Watton, Brecon LD3 7ED Theatr Brycheiniog 01874 623700 01874 624038 Canal Wharf, Brecon LD3 7EW The nearest Riding Centre is shop@youngs. [email protected] 01874 611622 licenced to take pony treks up to the [email protected] Little Poppets Nicholls Lifestyle Store main peaks of the Brecon Beacons. Situated 5 98 The Struet, Brecon LD3 7LS 19 High Street, Brecon LD3 7AL Brecon Pet & Garden So much to explore Great food & drink Adventure time! 01874 610066 miles outside Brecon it can provide local short rides 01874 611557 53-54 High Street, Brecon LD3 7AP [email protected] [email protected] 01874 625913 and hacking. They have rides to suit all ages and abilities lasting from 20 minutes to a full day. They can also provide the Brecon Beacons

Explorer Ride and the local Welsh Pony Trail Ride along the lanes and the Photography: Design: First print: July 2017 countryside where lovely sights and sounds can be experienced. www.cantref.com/ride www.nigelforsterphotography.co.uk www.greenergraphics.co.uk Printed on paper with FSC certification. Brecon Beacons National Park Authority The printing inks are made with non-hazardous Freedom leisure vegetable oil from renewable sources.

This paved the way for Brecon to become The Military have a strong historic presence Cradoc Golf Club is situated 2.7 miles north-west the centre of a thriving local wool industry, in Brecon with both the Barracks and Golf of Brecon. The club was founded in 1967 in the becoming one of the most important Dering Lines Camp located in the town. Brecon Golf Club is situated beautiful setting of the Brecon Beacons. It towns in Wales and was subsequently Brecon is proud to be remembered as the on the west side of town is an eighteen hole parkland course 6188 named as one of the four ‘Local Capitals’ home of the South Wales Borderers who with fine views of the Brecon yards long off the back tees par 71 and is for Wales in the Act of Union of 1536. fought so valiantly at the famous battle of Beacons. Established in 1902 the permanent home for the prestigious Rorkes Drift during the 1879 Zulu War. They and originally designed by Coors Welsh Tournament of Champions. Developments during Tudor, Elizabethan were granted the freedom of the town in James Braid with a yardage It also has a 10 bay floodlit driving and subsequent periods can be seen in 1947 and after their amalgamation into the of 6122 and a par of 70. It is range, a chipping green and Buckingham House and Havard House Family Fun in Brecon Royal Regiment of Wales and then into The regarded by many as one of the many other features to suit the (1556) in Glamorgan Street and at Newton Brecon is a great family town Royal Welsh this honour continues. The finest 9 hole courses in Wales. enthusiastic golfer it is able House (1582). The Guildhall site (1624), and has plenty to keep children town is also honoured to have strong links The course can accommodate to accommodate all levels of originally a butter market, signified the of all ages entertained. For younger with The Gurkha Wing (Mandalay) who have all levels of ability and it is ability. It has a fine clubhouse, movement of power away from the castle children, the Play Barn at Brynich been part of the in Brecon since predominantly flat and easy to recently refurbished with to the town and is home to the current and Cantref Adventure Farm are a must. 1980. Freedom of the town was granted to walk. After a game enjoy the excellent facilities. It has a Town Council chamber and theatre. The Leisure Centre is also superb for all ages, all ranks in 1985. The Small Arms School comforts and a warm welcome comfortable lounge with whether it be swimming, squash, badminton and Brecon’s strategic position was important Corps also had the freedom of the town at the clubhouse which provide a fine bar and a seventy many more activities. You may simply want to choose in the turbulent years before the Civil War, bestowed upon them in April of 2017. There snacks, meals or just a drink. seat restaurant offering from one of the free parks sited around the town or visit and King Charles I visited the town is so much more to learn about our historic www.brecongolfclub.org.uk an extensive menu. in quest of support in 1645. The market town, for more information please the skate-park to test any daredevil skills! The Coliseum Cinema www.cradoc.co.uk A Brief History of Brecon cobbled King’s Steps in the visit www.brecontowncouncil.org.uk and Theatr Brycheiniog are excellent places to unwind after all the Struet mark his route of excitement. Don’t forget to treat yourselves to a fresh locally made The market town of Brecon is steeped in history dating back as far as the Iron Age, escape to Gwernyfed. ice cream and be sure to visit the Promenade for more family fun! embodied by the fort at Pen Y Crug (800BC to 75AD). Nearby, Y Gaer exhibits the remains of an 8-acre Roman fort, built to house a garrison of 500 cavalry, circa 80AD. Cycling The town has a strong Norman influence with the ruins of the castle, built within 25 Another activity to be years of the Norman conquest and the impressive cathedral which originated as a considered could be Norman church in the 11th century and also houses a 12th century Norman font. The Eating out in Brecon cycling. There is a traffic name Brecon, is traced by scholars from the 5th century Brychan through latinised Brecon currently boasts many pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels free cycle route, running spelling such as Breconia to Anglo-French Brecon. The Gaelic name for the town where there are a variety of flavours to suit all tastes. alongside the Brecon & ‘Aberhonddu’ is translated to mouth or confluence of the river Honddu. Monmouthshire canal to Brynich Try locally brewed ale, full of flavour and local character. Whilst the town of Brecon was granted its borough charter in 1276 Lock on a level surface, perfect When walking up our hills and mountains, why not by Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex, Constable for family rides. A useful guide for safe use of tow take a bottle of locally sourced water. of England and Lord of Brecknock, it wasn’t until 1411 paths can be found at www.waterways.org.uk that the Borough of Brecknock received a Royal There are several independent butchers offering For those who ride mountain bikes and are more Charter from King Henry IV granting it its quality and provenance and plenty of home- adventuresome consider the 25 mile Gap circular status as an officially recognised town. made cakes to excite the taste buds. mountain bike route. It leads out of Brecon into the The evening offers some spicy options hills passing through , Talybont-on-Usk, with a dash of Welsh dishes too. Aber, Abercynafon through the Gap, then downhill experiencing stunning views on the way. Then head back to Brecon for a refreshing drink in one of the many pubs or cafes in the town. www.breconbeacons.org

Rivers, canal and cake walk

Poetry Trail Have a Brecon has a lively arts scene and is well known for the walks in half day to Brecon and around the surrounding countryside but are you aware of Brecon Town sits at the confluence of three rivers, River Did you know? spare- fancy the town’s own poetry trail? The trail encourages you to explore Usk, Honddu and Tarell, at the Heart of the Park in the a walk? You can explore Priory the corners, streets, shops and rivers of the town and gives you a Groves – a mixed Brecon Beacons National Park. Did you know? An easy 2.5 miles taking woodland alongside the different view on the historical town’s celebrated landmarks. Honddu river. Ideal dog about 2 hours, starting from Bethel Square. The town nestles in the foothills of the Beacons which Ten Welsh poets were commissioned in 2012 to compose four- Brecon Market Hall walking territory! The walk will take you beside the River Usk and boasts the majestic Pen-y-Fan, the highest mountain in hosts arcade shops, line verses (5 in English and 5 in Welsh) These poems have general markets on Tuesdays canal. You will pass the Guildhall, turn right been reproduced on slate plaques and attached to buildings Southern Britain at 886m above sea level. and Fridays, Farmers Markets and head down Ship Street (originally called and Craft Markets on various around the town as a permanent artistic installation for the Sheep street) descending onto the floodplain Wander around the ancient cathedral, take in a show weekends, as well as other enjoyment of the people of Brecon and visitors to the town. of the river Usk. Look out for a plaque showing at the theatre; buy fresh local produce at Brecon events throughout the year. Always worth a visit! The trail takes approximately an hour and starts at Theatr Brycheiniog the highest recorded flood in 1853. Looking to Farmers Market, take a leisurely stroll or cycle where award-winning poet and playwright Menna Elfyn cleverly the right, the impressive buildings of Christ along the canal, enjoy some retail therapy or 5 incorporates references to the myths of the Mabinogion. College founded by Henry VIII can be seen. simply enjoy the variety of historic buildings Turn left before the Usk Bridge and descend and take a break at one of our fine eateries. 1 Theatre Brycheiniog, Canal Wharf - Men Elfyn the steps on your left, watch out for signs of the old town wall, tower and gateway. The choice is yours! 2 Riverside Walk near Boar’s Head - Owen Sheers 3 Promenade / Watergate - Grahame Davies Turn right along Harp Terrace, follow Scout Lane to its end at the wooden gate, go through the gate. Pen y Crug walk 4 Bench in Market Street - Ceri Wyn Jones 5 Mount Street Junior School - Catherine Fisher Walking alongside the River Usk keep your eyes peeled for the wartime pill boxes. Continue A walk up to the Iron Age! 6 Brecon Visitor Information Centre - Chris Meredith to follow the river to the treatment works. Walk through time and enjoy 7 Brecon Bus Station - Paul Henry Turn left walk up towards the gate then continue the spectacular views. 8 Andrew Morton Books, Lion Yard - Clare E Potter 4 along the lane towards the Monmouth and The walk is 3 miles/5.5km long 9 Ardent Gallery, High Street - Tony Curtis Brecon Canal. The lane joins the canal, turn left and should take about 2 hours. 6 10 The Hours Café & Bookshop, towards Brecon. The canal is over 200 years old. There are six stiles to negotiate. i P Ship Street - Gillian Clarke Look out for the lime kilns which provided lime Climb the steps beside the tourist information to improve the quality of the soil for agriculture. centre, turn left along Heol Gousnou and at the traffic At bridge 165 cross the canal, lights, turn right up The Struet. Cross Priory Bridge over the turn left along the Watton. Afon Honddu and follow the B5420 road for 700m as it bends around 3 Brecon Cathedral and continues towards the edge of the built up area. Passing the barracks on your right you will come across the Regimental After the last houses on the left, turn left into the road signed as Maes-y-Ffynnon, Museum of the Royal Welsh. then turn immediately right and follow its gentle curves to a turning circle. 8 Don’t miss out a visit to the museum, discover the Turn right to follow the public footpath which is signed across 10 bravery of the soldiers and Zulus at Rorkes Drift. the grassed area. Take time to inspect the covered well of 9 Ffynnon Maen-du at the edge of the grassed area. Turn right from the museum and pass some of the 24 lime trees - a tribute to The path rises gradually through a succession of fields in a straight line towards the 2 the 24th Regiment - along the Watton. summit of Pen-y-Crug. Look out for the stile in each hedgerow as you climb the hill. Turn right at the Guildhall to get back Eventually you meet a stile giving access onto the open common. Walk towards to the start at Bethel Square. the summit of the hill noticing the series of hollows, some flooded, to both 7 left and right. They can be easier to spot in winter when the bracken has Plenty of cafes await to refresh you with died back and mark the area of the Pen-y-Crug brick and tile works. home-made cakes and steaming hot chocolate or on a sunny day, ice cream. Continue up the slopes of the hill and pass through the obvious gap in the earth ramparts which encircle the summit of the hill.

These banks and ditches are believed to have been thrown up by people of the Silures tribe during the Iron Age (750BC- i AD43). It is likely that they would have originally have been topped off with a palisade of wooden stakes creating a formidable defence against would- be attackers. The ramparts enclose an area of 12.5 acres. Rock and earth excavated from each of the four concentric ditches was thrown down the slope to form a Did you know? bank. This, the most spectacular of all There is an hill-forts in the area would have been a annual Gurkha Parade major centre for the Silures, the tribe whose in the Town Centre. Contact Brecon Town Council 01874 territory extended across all of south east Wales. 622884 for details of this Walk to the trig point on the summit of the hill which year’s event. stands at 331m/1088 ft above sea level.

Retrace your steps through the gap in the ramparts and turn sharp left below the outer bank. Head for a waymark post and clumps of gorse some 150m away where you will find a number of small shallow quarries.

Descend the slopes of Pen-y-Crug towards a hollow (and TV mast in the distance) out of which a path ascends a bracken covered bank to a 1 gate at the edge of the common. Through the gate, follow the hedged Did you know? track beyond, down the hill, eventually emerging onto the B4520. Theatr Brycheiniog is a modern Turn right and follow the road back into the centre of arts, theatre and community venue Brecon for a well-deserved coffee and cake. sitting alongside the basin of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

Tourist Information Police station Fuel station Church/ Cathedral Theatre/Cinema Brecon Tourist Information Centre 01874 622485 Abbey Vets 01874 622464 Information i USEFUL NUMBERS Brecon Medical Centre 01874 622121 Honddu Veterinary Practice 01874 611811 Bus station Hospital Leisure centre Museum Supermarket Brecon War Memorial Hospital 01874 622443 Brecon Town Council 01874 622884 Well Pharmacy Brecon 01874 622789 County Council 01597 826000 Toilets Doctor/surgery P Post office Canal basin Boots Pharmacy Brecon 01874 622917