The Brecon Beacons National Park

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Wales has three of Britain's National Parks, the BreconBeacons National Park, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the SnowdoniaNational Park each with its own special features and distinctive character. The National Park was established in 1957, the last of thethree Welsh parks. It runs from Hay-on-Wye in the east to Llandeilo in thewest. There are the Black Mountains (in the east of the park, on the borderwith England) and the Black Mountain (in the west), just to be confusing. Thearea to the west of the Brecon Beacons range is known as the Fforest Fawr(Great Forest), in 2005 The Brecon Beacons National Park became part of aprestigious worldwide network of Geoparks and received recognition by UNESCO tobecome the first Geopark in Wales and the first National Park in the whole ofthe UK to be designated. The Beacons themselves take their name from the fact thatthey were used for signal beacons. Dotted around the Brecon Beacons are smallmarket towns and villages full of character and that offer a wide range holidayaccommodation. Whether you stay in a family run bed and breakfast, atraditional farm house or luxury hotel rest assured you will receive a warmwelcome. There are many excellent pubs and restaurants that serve awide variety of food, utilising the superb local produce. The centre forexploring the Brecon Beacons is the market town of Brecon located on the RiverUsk; it has a wealth of history with a fortified Cathedral with a Norman font. Popular activities in the park include walking, if you arefeeling energetic then why not ramble the 100-mile route, called the"Beacons Way". The walk takes you over the Carmarthen Fans, theCentral Beacons and Pen-y-Fan, and the soft scenic slopes of the Black Mountains. The Taff Trail is a multi-purpose route for cyclists andwalkers and runs through the South Wales valleys and the Brecon Beacons. Thosethat enjoy cycling can go the many mountain bike centres called hubs, each ofwhich are graded to help you select the right route for you. Horse lovers will enjoy the spectacular scenery and wealthof wildlife it really does make some of the best riding in Europe and there aremany stables in the area that offer short and long hacks. There are great sailing opportunities in spectacularsettings at Llangorse Lake and Pontsticill Reservoir. Boat Hire facilities areavailable at Llangorse Lake. This is also perfect fishing country, with goodsport for both fly and general coarse fishermen. The rivers Wye and Usk providetop Salmon and Trout fishing, while coarse fishing is available on LlangorseLake, numerous reservoirs and also the Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal. Other popular activities include caving. There are manyoutdoor centres which offer caving courses suitable for the beginner and themore experienced caver. What ever you decide there are so many things to do andsee you will never be bored, so visit the Brecon Beacons it is closer than youthink. You can reach the Park in an hour from Cardiff and less than three hoursfrom Birmingham and London.  

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