Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park
Rediscover your sense of wonder
Welcome to the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park – 520 square miles of adventure, heritage, internationally recognised dark skies, towns, villages and nature.
Only three hours from London and an hour from Cardiff, Swansea and Newport. Find all the information you need to reconnect with nature in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. #Discoveryourbreconbeacons
Key activities
Cycling and Mountain Biking
Cycling and mountain biking are a fabulous way to experience our glorious countryside. We have lots of different terrain to explore, including roads, towpaths, lanes and hillside tracks.
Stargazing
On a clear night in the Bannau (Beacons), you can see the Milky Way, major constellations, bright nebulas and even meteor showers. It’s enough to make anyone starry eyed.
Special qualities
Overview
Sweeping grandeur and outstanding natural beauty observed across a variety of harmoniously connected landscapes, including marvellous gorges and waterfalls, classic karst geology with caves and sink holes, contrasting glacial landforms such as cliffs and broad valleys carved from old red sandstone and prominent hilltops with extensive views in all directions
A working, living “patchwork” of contrasting patterns, colours, and textures comprising of well-maintained farmed landscapes, open uplands, lakes and meandering rivers punctuated by small-scale woodlands, country lanes, hedgerows, stone walls and scattered settlements.
Extensive and widespread access to the Park’s diversity of wildlife and richness of semi-natural habitats, such as native woodlands, heathland and grassland, natural lakes and riparian habitats, ancient hedgerows, limestone pavement and blanket bogs including those of international and national importance.
Enjoyable and accessible countryside with extensive, widespread and varied opportunities to pursue walking, cycling, fishing, water-based activities and other forms of sustainable recreation or relaxation.
An intimate sense of community where small, pastoral towns and villages are comparatively safe, friendly, welcoming and retain a spirit of cooperation.
A sense of discovery where people are able to explore the Park’s hidden secrets and stories such as genealogical histories, prehistoric ritual sites, medieval rural settlements, early industrial sites, local myths, legends and geological treasures.
Did you know?
Enjoy the beauty of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons).
With mountains and moorland, standing stones and castles, lively waterfalls and vibrant communities, the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park has plenty to offer residents and visitors. We have a long and colourful history and a rich and varied mythology and culture. Our National Park covers approximately 520 square miles of South and Mid Wales, including parts of Powys, Carmarthenshire, Monmouthshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil. It gets its name from the Central Bannau (Beacons), which dominate the skyline south of Brecon. They rise to 886 metres at Pen y Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain. Our night skies are remarkable. They’ve earned us recognition as an International Dark Sky Reserve. Our industrial heritage is magnificent: Blaenavon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And our rocks tell their own story. They’re so unique that a large part of our National Park has been designated a European and Global Geopark.
As a visitor to the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) you are playing a key role in ensuring the area continues as a living landscape. By spending your time and money here local communities, which include those who farm the land, can thrive and in partnership with the National Park Authority, take care of this national gem.
💭You might have heard of peatland, but what exactly is it and why does it matter so much?
Peatlands are our natural climate allies. They store vast amounts of carbon, support rare wildlife, improve water quality, reduce flood risk and preserve thousands of years of archaeological and cultural history.
Some of the UK`s most important peatlands are found within our National Parks, making them critical places for tackling the climate and nature crises.
Across the UK`s National Parks, peatland restoration projects are helping damaged peatlands recover, benefiting both nature and people.
📍Dartmoor National Park
#NationalParks #Peatlands #NatureRecovery
Our National Parks tell the stories of the people and places that came before us.
A new Joint Statement on the Historic Environment in the National Parks of England, Scotland and Wales has launched.
Bringing together the 15 National Parks and heritage partners, the statement sets out a shared commitment to protecting the historic places and features that help shape our landscapes.
From ancient monuments and archaeological sites to historic buildings and traces of past generations, our National Parks are home to thousands of years of history.
Together, we’re working to care for these special places so their stories can continue to be discovered, valued and enjoyed for generations to come.
Read the full statement via the link in our bio 🔗
#NationalParks #UKHistory #Heritage
Hello, August. 💚
Some habits we’re holding on to this month, for our National Parks and for ourselves.
Little changes can have a lasting impact when it comes to caring for our 15 special places.
What will you be taking into August?
#UKNationalParks #UKOutdoors
Take a moment to pause in this ancient woodland 🌿
Even a small moment in nature can help us to feel calmer, more connected and refreshed.
For centuries, National Parks across the country have given people the space to reconnect with the natural world. Moments like this are why these places matter, and why we must continue to protect them.
📍This beautiful footage was captured in @exmoornp.
#Exmoor #UKWoodland #NationalParksUK
☀️Summer can unfold quietly in nature across our National Parks.
In @pembscoast it’s happening right now.
Wildflowers brighten the clifftops, from sea pinks and oxeye daisies. These colourful blooms don’t just look beautiful - they are also provide a vital food source for butterflies and bees. 🐝
These simple seasonal moments are a gentle reminder to slow down, take a closer look, and notice the quieter side of summer in nature. 🌼
#ParkSpotlight #Summer #UKNature
💚 It’s Love Parks Week! Share this with someone who loves the National Parks, or add it to your story to show others that you do too.
There’s so much to love about our National Parks. They’re not just great places to visit, they’re places that protect habitats, restore nature, support local families and businesses, and bring communities together.
We all have our own reasons for why these places are so special to us.
#LoveParksWeek #NationalParksUK
🦋 Some of the UK’s rarest butterflies find a home in our National Parks. Here are just a few.
From flower-rich meadows to ancient woodlands and heathlands, many of our landscapes provide the ideal conditions that butterflies need to thrive.
Every butterfly is a reminder of why these places matter and how we can all play a part in protecting them.
The Big Butterfly Count is happening now. If you’re out exploring this summer, take part and help build a picture of how our butterflies are doing 👉 bigbutterflycount.org
Photography 📸
@lloydlanephotography
Tammy Andrews
Lloyd Lane
Neil Hulme
#BigButterflyCount #ButterflyConservation #UKNature
There’s something truly magical about the craft and skill of dry stone walling. 🪨
These remarkable walls still zigzag for more than 5,000 miles across the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
They’re a lasting reminder of the generations of craftsmanship that have shaped our landscapes, and of the traditional skills that continue to thrive across the UK’s National Parks.
🎥 Yorkshire Dales National Park
#ParkSpotlight #YorkshireDales
