Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, formerly known as the Brecon Beacons, founded in 1957, is a hugely popular area of South Wales. Not only does it cover mountainside and moorland, forestry and farmland, but it also includes a number of historical settlements in and around its border, including Brecon, Hay-on-Wye and Abergavenny. Visitors come for its landscape, flora and fauna, outdoor activities and attractive towns and villages. Alongside the well-known areas are many tucked-away and lit...

The ancient market town of Brecon is set in the heart of one of Britain’s most beautiful national parks. It is a place of contrasts and enigmas, and in an A–Z of Brecon, author Mal Morrison takes readers on an exciting journey through the primary and lesser-known streets and thoroughfares. Along the way the author recounts ancient and modern tales, and discovers something of the identity and heritage of Brecon. As the alphabet progresses there are stories of the invaders who settled there,...

Don’t be fooled by Brecon’s quiet, serene exterior for lurking just beneath the surface are little-known and long-forgotten secrets. Here on the fair banks of the Usk, famous for its salmon and trout fishing, we recount tales of tragedy and remarkable valour in the lengthy and varied history of this town. We read of gruesome public executions on the riverbank, of poachers’ adventures with water bailiffs, of the almost forgotten grave of a hero of the Crimea who was awarded the Victoria Cro...

The ancient town of Brecon was originally enclosed within the walls of a Norman castle. Today it has evolved into a pleasant market town in a unique setting in the heart of National Parkland. Here you can visit the promenade, take to the waters of the beautiful River Usk or stroll along narrow streets with the most wonderful of names, see relics from Brecon's once thriving Flannel Industry, and wonder at the magnificent Cathedral and the peace of the Priory Groves.With an abundance of rare...

Travel through time in this sublimely interesting ancient town resting in the beautiful Wye Valley. See the embryonic market town sprouting following the conflict between the Normans and the Welsh; stroll through bustling thoroughfares more than a century ago, avoiding the cattle and sheep sold openly on the streets; see fashionable spas growing and the industries that catered for them prospering until their sudden decline. With an abundance of rare and sometimes extremely ancient photogra...

Builth Wells History Tour offers an insight into the fascinating history of the town of Builth Wells in Powys. Authors Mal Morrison and Rob Warlow guide us around its well-known streets and buildings, showing how its famous landmarks used to look and how they have changed over the years, as well as exploring its lesser-known sights and hidden corners. With the help of a handy location map, readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and discover for themselves the changing face of B...