Things to do in Brecon (Aberhonddu)
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Andrew Morton Books
Andrew Morton Books offers a staggering selection of fiction, nonfiction and local interest books. There's another branch at 10-11 Lion Yard.
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Brecon Cathedral
Perched on a hill above the River Honddu, Brecon Cathedral was founded as part of a Benedictine monastery in 1093, though little remains of the Norman structure except the carved font and parts of the nave. It's a lovely church and very visitor-friendly; seven information points provide information about key features.
In the cathedral grounds is a Heritage Centre, cafe and gift shop housed in a restored 15th-century tithe barn.
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Gap Road
There are lots of opportunities for both on-road cycle-touring and off-road mountain-biking around Brecon; the National Park Visitor Centre at Libanus has information on routes, some of which begin at the centre itself.
The classic off-road route in the Brecon Beacons is the Gap Road, a 24-mile loop from Brecon that takes in a high pass through the hills close to Pen-y-Fan, a descent through Talybont-on-Usk and a final easy return stretch along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. Ask for details at Brecon tourist office or the National Park Visitor Centre.
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South Wales Borderers Museum
The South Wales Borderers Museum commemorates the history of the Royal Regiment of Wales, which is based in Brecon. Many of the soldiers are Gurkhas, often to be seen in their civvies around the town. The highlight is the Zulu War Room - the regiment's predecessor fought in the 1879 Anglo-Zulu war in South Africa, inspiration for the 1964 film Zulu starring Michael Caine.
The fascinating collection of artefacts recalls the defence of Rorke's Drift, when 150 Welsh soldiers held out against 4000 Zulu warriors.
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Brecknock Museum & Art Gallery
Behind the stolid neoclassical exterior of the former Shire Hall is the impressive Brecknock Museum & Art Gallery. Exhibits include 1200-year-old dugout canoe found at Llangorse Lake, a complete Victorian assize court complete with a stilted recording of court pronouncements, and that favourite of Welsh museums, a re-created Welsh kitchen. Also featured are the archaeology, history and natural history of the Brecon area, and an art gallery with changing exhibits.
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White Swan
A traditional village inn that offers a candle-lit dining room with old wooden floors, a bar with comfortably worn leather sofas and armchairs, and a beautiful garden terrace. The White Swan is a great place to relax after a walk along the canal or a hike in the Brecon Beacons. The menu emphasises Welsh lamb, beef and venison, with daily fish and vegetarian specials. Llanfrynach is 3.5 miles southeast of Brecon off the B4558.
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Usk Inn
This appealing, Victorian country inn, close to the Brecon Canal, serves hearty local fare such as twice-cooked lamb shank with minted rosemary jus; ricotta cheese and basil ravioli with creamy tomato and spinach sauce; and seafood dishes such as swordfish fillet with a sesame crust. There's also an excellent three-course Sunday lunch served noon to 15:00. The Usk Inn is 6 miles southeast of Brecon on the B4558.
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Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
Brecon is the northern terminus of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, built between 1799 and 1812 for the movement of coal, iron ore, limestone and agricultural goods. The 33 miles from Brecon to Pontypool is back in business moving tourists around, and the busiest section is around Brecon. The canal basin is 400m south of the town centre.
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Bridge Café Bistro
A great little bistro with a rustic, farmhouse kitchen look, the Bridge serves simple, home-cooked dishes using fresh, seasonal, organic produce, from onion soup to lamb stew, falafel to mushroom stroganoff. It also serves organic beer, wine and cider, and Welsh-made Brecon gin and Penderyn whisky.
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Old Ford Inn
The Old Ford is an old-fashioned country pub with weathered oak beams, stone fireplace and a range of well looked-after real ales. You can eat in the bar, or opt for a more formal meal in the farmhouse kitchen-style restaurant. Llanhamlach is on the A40, 4 miles southeast of Brecon
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Pilgrims Tearooms
The café in the cathedral grounds is housed in a tithe barn-style building, with outdoor tables beside a herb garden. The menu includes home-baked bread, salads, jacket potatoes and daily specials, and a Sunday lunch of roast lamb, beef or chicken.
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Pen-y-Crug
The conical hill of 331m Pen-y-Crug, capped by an Iron Age hill fort, rises to the northwest of the town, and makes a good objective for a short hike (2.5 miles round trip). There's a superb view of the Brecon Beacons from the summit.
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Bull's Head
Probably the best real ale pub in town, with Evan Evans beer from Llandeilo and a range of guest ales, the Bull's Head is cosy, quiet and friendly. It also serves very good pub grub (to 21:00 Monday to Friday, to 20:00 weekends).
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Talybont-on-Usk
A peaceful 8.5-mile walk along the towpath of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal leads to the picturesque village of Talybont-on-Usk. You can return on the X43 bus from Abergavenny to Brecon, or the Beacons Bus B4, B6 or B8.
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Norman Castle
What little remains of Brecon's Norman Castle was incorporated into the Castle of Brecon Hotel. Across the road from the hotel is the original Norman motte (mound), capped by the ivy-clad Ely Tower (not open to the public).
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Boar's Head
The Boar's Head is a lively local pub, with sofas in the back room and the full range of Breconshire Brewery real ales on tap. There's a sunny beer garden overlooking the river, and regular live music.
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Dragonfly Cruises
Dragonfly Cruises runs 2½-hour canal boat trips; there are departures once or twice daily on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (plus Thursday in July, plus Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in August).
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Tipple & Tiffin
The restaurant attached to Brecon's theatre has outdoor tables beside the canal basin, and serves fresh, tasty fare such as game sausages and mash with onion gravy, and pasta with vegetable ragout.
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Coliseum Cinema
The Coliseum is a refreshingly old-fashioned family cinema with two screens. As well as mainstream films, the local film society shows arthouse films on Monday evenings.
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Brecon Boats
Brecon Boats hires out boats by the hour. They're at Talybont-on-Usk, southeast of Brecon (about 6 miles by road or 8.5 miles along the towpath).
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Llanfaes Dairy
The local dairy has a café that serves fresh-ground Italian coffee, and home-made ice cream in a wide range of flavours.
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Theatr Brycheiniog
This attractive canalside theatre complex is the town's main venue for drama, dance, comedy and music. It sometimes hosts surprisingly big-name touring acts.
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Brecon Male Voice Choir
For a few booming harmonies, head to the practice sessions of the Brecon Male Voice Choir; visitors are welcome.
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Bikes & Hikes
Bikes & Hikes offers bike rental per half-/full day; it also runs guided trips.
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Bi-Ped Cycles
Bi-Ped Cycles offers rental per half-/full day; it can also arrange guided rides.
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