The Brecon Beacons National Park Wales is perfect for a UK-based break. After a recent trip there, I discovered there are so many incredible things to do in Brecon Beacons, from thrilling outdoor adventures to cosy rainy-day activities.
Despite offering sensational waterfalls, beautiful views and a wealth of pretty towns with endless insta-appeal, the Brecon Beacons are often overlooked for the dramatic ridges of Snowdonia. But this quieter national park is every bit as beautiful, just without the hordes of ramblers and tea shop tourists.
This guide is broken down into sections to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. We’ll start with the top 10 things to do in Brecon Beacons, followed by 7 things to do when it’s raining and 3 of the best annual festivals and events.
Things to do in Brecon Beacons at a Glance
Best Outdoor Adventures: Conquer Pen y Fan (the tallest peak), admire the scenery from above on an epic paragliding adventure, and explore the fairytale landscapes of Waterfall Country.
Best Rainy Day Activities: Get a taste of Wales at the International Rarebit Centre, cosy up on a bookshop crawl of Hay-on-Wye, and explore the epic Dan yr Ogof Showcaves.
Best Time to Visit: Summer (June – August) is best for outdoor and water activities. Come in late May for the famous Hay Literature Festival or mid-September for an irresistible food fest in Abergavenny.
What’s the Weather Like: Generally mild in summer (around 20°C / 68°F) and cold and crisp in winter (around 8°C / 46°F), blustery and changeable in autumn and spring.
Where to Stay:
Peterstone Court – the perfect spa and country house hotel
The Good Life – Away-from-it-all cabins with hot tubs
Foyle of Glasbury – A cosy restaurant with rooms near Hay-on-Wye
10 Top Things to Do in Brecon Beacons
1. Go Stargazing
Stargazing in the Brecon Beacons is an absolute must. The national park is known as a Dark Sky Reserve, meaning there is little light pollution to distract from the dazzling interstellar display.
Popular spots for stargazing in the Brecon Beacons include Crai Resevoir, Hay Bluff, and the atmospheric ruins of Carreg Cennen.
If you don’t have your own equipment or want to learn a little bit more about astronomy, you can also book a stargazing experience at the Brecon Beacons Observatory.
2. Chase Waterfalls
If there’s one thing Brecon Beacons is known for, it’s waterfalls. This national park is blessed with more than its fair share of fairytale scenery, with multiple popular walking routes that incorporate the region’s most spectacular falls.
The south western reaches of the park are known as Waterfall Country, where you’ll find the most walking routes with easy access to the falls.
If you don’t want to waste time finding them yourself, this incredible guided hike ticks off 6 of the most sensational waterfalls with a little help from an insider adventure guide.
3. Explore Incredible Scenery on Foot
Speaking of hikes, there’s no end to the stunning walks on offer.
Hiking is one of the most popular and accessible things to do in Brecon Beacons, whether you want to stroll along the canal basin with the dog, explore Lara-croft-style gorges or tackle the mighty Pen y Fan, the park’s highest peak.
The gradients are steep enough to be challenging but easy enough for the uninitiated to achieve the panoramic rewards of scaling one of the many peaks.
If you’re not sure where to start, head to the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Visitor Centre, also known as the Mountain Centre. Here you’ll find a car park and cafe with all the information you need on the best local walking routes.
You can also book a guided hike up Pen y Fan using the ‘route less travelled,’. You’ll be led by an expert guide away from the crowds to take a more adventurous path to the top, ensuring you have all that gorgeous scenery to yourself.
4. Visit Hay-on-Wye, the Town of Books
Bibliophiles should certainly check out Hay-on-Wye – otherwise known as the town of books – where shelves heaving with famous titles can be found quite literally around every corner.
These delightful ‘honesty bookshops’ are perfect for digging out a bargain from one of your favourite authors.
5. Go Horse Riding
One of the most popular things to do in Brecon Beacons is pony trekking. The area has become known for its excellent bridle paths and horse riding centres, with something for every ability level.
Whether you want to gallop over wild moors, trot past historic castles or simply learn to ride in one of Britain’s most beautiful national parks, there is sure to be stables to suit your needs.
6. Kayak Down the River Wye
Exploring the rugged River Wye is best done by kayak, where you can get up close and personal with the stunning undulating scenery and local water wildlife.
It’s easy to join a guided paddling adventure that usually sets off from Hay-on-Wye, a traveller hub in the Brecon Beacons. You can also bring your own kayak or rent from the Wye Valley Canoe Centre, who will also pick you up once you’re done paddling downstream.
Just be wary that the River Wye offers changeable conditions depending on the weather, so don’t go it alone unless you have the experience!
7. Spend the day at Llangorse Lake
With so many reservoirs, lakes and rivers, there are also plenty of water sports and things to do in the Brecon Beacons during summer. Llangorse Lake boasts a sailing club, course fishing and bird watching.
A truly stunning spot to get out on the water, Llangorse is the largest natural lake in South Wales and also offers the leisurely lake trail, grassy spots for the perfect picnic, or to watch for wildlife in the gently swaying reeds.
8. Get a Bird’s Eye View on a Paragliding Adventure
Looking for things to do in Brecon Beacons to get that adrenaline pumping?
A paragliding experience offers a mind-blowing perspective of the national park from above, with the sheer exhilaration of soaring through the clouds. This tandem ride ensures you’re well looked after by a highly-trained military paraglider, leaving you to relax and enjoy the flight.
Whilst it might sound scary, paragliding is actually a peaceful experience, with the gradual take-off and low-impact landing giving a sense of ‘floating on air’ as opposed to falling through space.
9. Paddleboard to the Pub
Looking for unique things to do in Brecon Beacons?
A paddleboard to the pub is the perfect activity for those who like their adventure with a side of cosy quintessential traditions. Don your wetsuit and take a gentle paddle from Pencelli to Talybont-on-Usk, taking in the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canals from the water.
Reward yourself with a slap-up meal in a traditional Welsh pub, before paddling back to your start point.
10. Cycle the Taff Trail
The Taff Trail is a famous cycle path that runs all the way from Cardiff to Brecon in the heart of the mountains.
You can meander for 55 miles through the dappled Fforest Fawr, along riverside paths and disused railway lines, with plenty of picturesque spots to stop off for a picnic or pub lunch.
If mountain biking is more your thing, you can also visit the Bike Park Wales near Merthyr Tydfil. Here you’ll find miles upon miles of all-weather trails complete with transport to the top, equipment hire, and expert guides for beginners.
Things to Do in Brecon Beacons in the Rain
11. Have a Proper British Roast at the Three Horseshoes
Foodies are in for a treat with the wonderful range of culinary things to do in Brecon Beacons.
Charming gastro pubs such as Three Horseshoes Groesffordd provide tasty, authentic fare using locally sourced ingredients, and is a highly recommended spot to shelter from the elements if required!
Go for a traditional Sunday roast and you won’t be disappointed.
12. Visit Beautifully Preserved Castles
Wales is known for its castles, having more preserved Medieval fortresses per square mile than any other country in the world. This means uncovering the rich history of the region is one of the best things to do in Brecon Beacons in the rain, with multiple castles to choose from.
Abergavenny Castle and Museum is a picturesque spot atop a hill, with a museum set in a 19th-century hunting lodge and a range of fascinating displays.
Meanwhile, Tretower Court and Castle offers an intriguing insight into the lives of medieval welsh knights and lords, with a great hall laid out for a feast as it would have looked in the 1400s.
13. Enjoy the Ultimate Welsh Cheese on Toast
Ever heard of Welsh rarebit?
It’s the Celtic take on cheese on toast, quintessentially made with a strong cheddar, a dash of mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
Love to try a local speciality? Head to the iconic International Welsh Rarebit Centre in Defynnog, Brecon, a cafe housed in an old School that sells dozens of variations on the cheesy theme.
14. Travel Back in Time Aboard the Brecon Mountain Railway
Is there anything more nostalgic and romantic than a steam railway? The Brecon Mountain Railway is one of the most gorgeous, historic things to do in Brecon Beacons, made all the more atmospheric in the rain.
The luxurious locomotive chuffs from Pant Station, through Pontscticill with its lakeside cafe, winding its way through valleys and past high peaks to Torpantau.
There are three trains a day, and you can also buy tickets that include afternoon tea at the station, or special rides with Father Christmas for families.
15. Shop for Artisanal Goods and Antiques in Crickhowell
Crickhowell is a gorgeous postcard-perfect town in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, often crowned as having the best British High Street. It’s hardly surprising when you see the bounty of quaint independent boutiques on offer here, perfect for picking up some locally crafted goods.
Many of the artisanal stores also offer workshops and classes for those rainy days, from tasting days at the Black Mountains Smokery to craft fairs and creative writing workshops.
16. Taste the World’s Best Welsh Whisky
Thought whisky was just in Scotland? Think again. The Penderyn Distillery is the perfect day out for fans of the smoky gold stuff, home to the first (and only) Welsh whisky.
The HQ for the famous label is located just outside Penderyn and offers a range of rainy-day activities, from distillery tours to tasting workshops and regular special events (like cheese and whisky evenings!).
17. Discover the Sensational Dan yr Ogof Showcaves
While many things to do in Brecon Beacons are centred on outdoor activities in stunning natural landscapes, there’s also a show-stopping underworld to discover in this national park.
The more adventurous can try caving through the vast complex of limestone chasms and caverns, with experiences for everyone from beginners to advanced enthusiasts.
If you prefer to avoid tight spaces, the Dan yr Ogof National Showcaves offer a glimpse into the awe-inspiring passageways beneath the surface, from the vast, atmospheric cathedral cave to the spooky bone cave, where over 42 human skeletons were found.
Best Annual Events in Brecon Beacons
18. Indulge at the Abergavenny Food Festival
When: September
Where: Raglan Chambers, Abergavenny
For two days each September, the charming town of Abergavenny plays host to some of the most prized local Welse producers and chefs. Welcoming over 200 exhibitors, the event has been described as the ‘Glastonbury of Food Festivals’.
Taking place in an atmospheric setting in the shadow of Abergavenny Castle, the ultimate foodie experience has everything from kids and bushcraft cookery schools to cheese and wine tents and individually ticketed events like Party at the Castle.
19. Dance Under the Stars at Green Man
When: August
Where: Countryside near Crickhowell
You’ve heard of Burning Man, now get ready for Green Man, the iconic art festival’s quirky Welsh cousin.
Hosted each year in an incredible setting overlooked by rolling mountains and the ubiquitous verdant statue, Green Man is a celebration of art, science and music, with an impressive line-up of alternative, indie, dance and folk music.
The huge site is also home to zones for everything from wellness to comedy and literature and is known for its ethical, eco-friendly approach to music events.
20. Attend the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts
When: May-June
Where: Hay-on-Wye
If you came to Hay-on-Wye for its bookish charm, you can’t miss one of the best things to do in Brecon Beacons for literature lovers.
The Hay Festival is a celebration of all things creative, known as one of the biggest literary festivals in the world.
Over 11 days in May and June, the festival attracts over 100,000 avid readers with talks and signings from famous authors, writing workshops, a comprehensive kids programme, and evening entertainment in the form of comedy, music and film screenings.
It’s the ultimate gathering to engage with some of the world’s greatest writers, poets, philosophers, dreamers and comedians.
**Looking for more charming locations in the UK? Check out my guide to the Cotswolds in Autumn, or read about the incredible Hever Castle Hotel in Kent.**
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