Brecon

Brecon (Welsh: Aberhonddu) is a market town and the former county town of Brecknockshire, a traditional county which now forms the southernmost part of the modern county of Powys in Mid Wales.

Understand
Brecon is in many ways a typical small Welsh town, retaining that status though it does boast a cathedral. The surrounding scenery is quite stunning, as Brecon is located within the Brecon Beacons National Park, which extends to the south, east and west.

By train
The nearest stations are at Abergavenny, Merthyr Tydfil and Llandovery. A bus meets incoming trains at Merthyr. Travel from Cardiff to Brecon takes about an hour and fifteen minutes up the A470.

By bus
There are direct bus links to Swansea and Cardiff and also to Llandovery and Abergavenny along the A40.

By car
A470 from near Cardiff, A4067 from near Swansea

Get around
The town is best explored on foot, which is part of the charm.

See
For most people the main reason for visiting Brecon is as a base for visiting the national park. In town, however, there are worthwhile diversions:


 * River walk Follow the trail beside the cathedral for a pleasant walk down the Afon Honddu and along the River Usk. Can become a bit steep for the unfit.
 * River walk Follow the trail beside the cathedral for a pleasant walk down the Afon Honddu and along the River Usk. Can become a bit steep for the unfit.
 * River walk Follow the trail beside the cathedral for a pleasant walk down the Afon Honddu and along the River Usk. Can become a bit steep for the unfit.

Buy

 * Farmers Market is in the market hall on the second Saturday of the month.

Go next

 * Brecon Beacons National Park Many things to do, including a climb to the top of Pen y Fan (pronounced pen Ur van), the highest mountain in South Wales.
 * Llandovery. A picturesque market town about a forty minute drive west from Brecon.
 * Swansea. Superb beaches, leisure facilities and cultural events. Swansea is about a one hour drive to the south west.
 * Cardiff. Wales' capital offers great shopping and museums. Cardiff is about an hour's drive to the south east.
 * Merthyr Tydfil