Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park is about more than mountains. Across the region, market towns and gateway communities help shape the visitor experience, offering places to shop, eat, stay and explore while connecting visitors to the landscapes around them.

From independent bookshops and food festivals to canals, castles and outdoor adventure, these towns each offer something different. Whether you are planning a walking holiday, a short break, a family getaway or simply looking for places to visit in South Wales and Mid Wales, these communities provide some of the best starting points for exploring Bannau Brycheiniog.

Many visitors arrive for the scenery and stay for the atmosphere found in the towns themselves — local businesses, welcoming places to eat and drink, markets, events and independent shops all help create a slower, more connected experience of the National Park.

Brecon – Historic Market Town and Central Gateway

Located close to the heart of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, Brecon is one of the area’s best-known market towns and an ideal base for exploring the wider region.

The town combines independent shops, cafés, galleries and historic buildings with access to walking routes, cycling and outdoor activities. The peaceful Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal runs through the town, providing easy waterside walks and cycling opportunities, while the surrounding countryside offers direct access to hills, reservoirs and open landscapes.

Brecon also has a strong cultural and events calendar throughout the year, including the popular Brecon Jazz Festival, seasonal markets and food events.

For visitors looking to combine outdoor exploration with shops, food, history and places to stay, Brecon works well as both a destination and a gateway into the National Park.

Crickhowell – Independent Shopping and Outdoor Access

Crickhowell has built a reputation as one of the most welcoming and independently minded towns in Wales.

Surrounded by hills, rivers and countryside, the town is popular with walkers, cyclists and visitors looking for a slower pace of travel. Independent shops, bakeries, cafés and pubs give the high street its character, while nearby routes into the Black Mountains and surrounding hills make it an excellent base for outdoor activities.

Throughout the year, visitors will find seasonal events, local markets and changing landscapes that make Crickhowell appealing in every season, from spring walking breaks to cosy winter weekends.

Hay-on-Wye – Books, Creativity and Culture

Known internationally for its independent bookshops and creative atmosphere, Hay-on-Wye attracts visitors from across the world.

The globally recognised Hay Festival brings writers, artists and audiences to the town each spring, but Hay remains a popular destination throughout the year thanks to its mix of culture, food, shopping and nearby countryside.

Alongside the bookshops, visitors can explore galleries, cafés, markets and independent businesses, while the surrounding landscape offers opportunities for walking, cycling and time outdoors close to the northern edge of Bannau Brycheiniog.

Hay-on-Wye is especially popular for relaxed weekends, creative escapes and slower travel experiences.

Talgarth – Gateway to the Black Mountains

Situated beneath the Black Mountains, Talgarth offers a quieter base for visitors looking to experience the landscape at a slower pace.

The town provides easy access to walking routes, waterfalls, countryside exploration and scenic drives, while local cafés, shops and independent businesses help create a strong sense of place.

Talgarth appeals to visitors wanting to explore beyond the busiest routes through the National Park, particularly during spring, summer and autumn when the surrounding landscapes are constantly changing.

Its location also makes it a useful gateway into the eastern side of Bannau Brycheiniog and the wider Black Mountains area.

Llandovery – Western Gateway and Market Town Heritage

On the western edge of Bannau Brycheiniog, Llandovery combines market town heritage with easy access to open countryside and scenic touring routes.

Often associated with drovers’ history and traditional Welsh hospitality, the town acts as an important western gateway into the National Park and surrounding landscapes.

Visitors will find independent shops, cafés, pubs and local businesses alongside access to walking, cycling and driving routes across Mid and West Wales.

Llandovery works particularly well as part of longer touring holidays and slower journeys through rural Wales.

Abergavenny – Food, Culture and Gateway Landscapes

Positioned on the south-eastern edge of Bannau Brycheiniog, Abergavenny is one of Wales’ best-known food destinations and an increasingly popular base for exploring the National Park.

The town combines independent shopping, cafés, restaurants and cultural events with access to countryside walks, castles, vineyards and outdoor experiences nearby.

Each September, the hugely popular Abergavenny Food Festival attracts visitors from across the UK, helping strengthen the town’s reputation for high-quality food, local produce and creative hospitality.

Abergavenny also works well as an eastern gateway into Bannau Brycheiniog, particularly for visitors travelling from South Wales, Bristol and the Midlands.

Merthyr Tydfil – Industrial Heritage and Outdoor Adventure Gateway

Merthyr Tydfil offers a different perspective on the wider Bannau Brycheiniog region, combining industrial heritage with outdoor adventure and access to dramatic landscapes.

Once one of the world’s most important industrial towns, Merthyr helped shape modern Wales through ironmaking, transport and industry. Visitors can still explore this history through attractions including Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery and the wider heritage landscape surrounding the town.

Today, Merthyr is also strongly connected to adventure tourism and outdoor activities, with attractions such as BikePark Wales bringing visitors from across the UK.

As a southern gateway into Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, the town also provides access to waterfalls, reservoirs, walking routes and activity centres nearby.

Exploring Beyond the Main Routes

While some locations within Bannau Brycheiniog are well known, many of the most rewarding experiences come from taking time to explore the wider towns and communities connected to the National Park.

Each destination offers a different experience — from literary festivals and food culture to industrial heritage, outdoor adventure and independent shopping. Together, they help tell the wider story of Bannau Brycheiniog and the people who live and work here.

Exploring locally and supporting independent businesses also helps sustain the communities that make the area distinctive throughout the year.

Plan Your Visit to Bannau Brycheiniog

These towns also make excellent starting points for exploring the wider National Park and surrounding areas.

While planning your visit, you may also want to explore:

• Walking routes in Bannau Brycheiniog
• Food and drink experiences
• Independent shops and local producers
• Family-friendly days out
• Dark sky experiences and stargazing
• Places to stay across the National Park
• Seasonal events and festivals

Whether you visit for a day, a weekend or a longer stay, the towns and gateway communities around Bannau Brycheiniog offer opportunities to slow down, explore locally and experience a different side of the National Park.