"...there are high street shops mixed with local proprietors giving
you a wonderful choice of local crafts and offerings."
A historic market town in the heart of the beacons
The small market town of Brecon is roughly 11 miles west of Gliffaes and whether you are looking for local curiosities, good pubs or high-street value, Brecon has managed to maintain a healthy balance of both local and chain shops. In addition to the local traders you experience a real taste of Welsh culture by visiting one of the bustling and boisterous farmer's markets, craft fairs and food festivals that frequently visit the town's market hall.
If the clamour of the market isn't your style however, then Brecon still has something to offer as you can enjoy a leisurely walk through the cathedral gardens and along the riverside promenade before relaxing in one of Brecon's many traditional pubs.
Curiously, despite its small town status Brecon is home to a splendid cathedral and a castle. Furthermore, with it's replica welsh schoolhouse, iron-age boat and monuments and even a reconstruction of Brecon's former town court, there really is no better place to learn about this historic market town than in the deceptively expansive town museum.
Brecon is home to the South Wales Borderers Museum. The Borderers famously defended Rorke's Drift in the Zulu Wars and a good part of the museum is given over to this heroic stand.
Every year in August Brecon plays host to Wales' biggest international Jazz festival. The theatre and market hall become venues for nightly concerts and all over town open-air venues, accessible with a stroller ticket, allow for a wide variety of acts to suit everyone's taste. That's not all though, during the festival weekend the streets come alive with free music acts and stalls selling jazz memorabilia and local food (look out for the delicious hot welsh cakes made by the local WI!). To learn more about the festival take a look at the official Brecon Jazz website.
Brecon links
Gliffaes Country House Hotel, Crickhowell, Powys NP8 1RH +44(0)1874 730 371