Events in the Brecon Beacons with the National Park Authority

This is a beautiful part of Wales, with traditional market towns, stunning landscape, canal paths, castles and plenty of family attractions. The scenery here is both beautiful and diverse - rolling countryside and valleys, wide open spaces to the wild beauty of the waterfalls and caves.
The National Park Authority runs an excellent programme of Walks, activities and events.

Tue 21 Aug 10.00-13.00
Take pART Pottery Workshop
at the Mountain Centre, LD3 8ER.
Be inspired by the natural environment around you and create your own masterpiece. Suitable for adults and children aged 5 and up. Children under 12 - make sure you bring an adult with you. Cost: £5.00 per child. Parking charges apply. Booking essential. To find out more and to book a place call the NPVC (the Mountain Centre) on 01874 623366.

Wed 22 Aug 10.00-13.00
Take pART Mask Making Workshop
at the Mountain Centre, LD3 8ER.
Make and decorate your own large 3-Dimensional animal mask from a choice of designs. Suitable for adults and children aged 5 and up. Children under 12 make sure you bring an adult with you. Cost: £5.00 per child. Parking charges apply. Booking essential. To find out more and to book a place call the NPVC (the Mountain Centre) on 01874 623366.

Thu 23 Aug 14:15-16:30
Brecon Town Past and Present
Discover Brecon’s sites of distinction, fascinating past and residents of renown on this gentle 2 mile walk around the town. Finish your tour with a visit to Cantre Selyf, believed to be the oldest domestic dwelling in Brecon, for wonderful cake and tea at a cost of £3 per person. Suggested donation £1 per adult. Parking charges apply. No dogs please. This is a family friendly and access for all walk. Booking essential on 01874 623366. Meet: Canal Basin, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, LD3 7EW

Sat 25 Aug 11.00-15.00
Pen y Fan Circular
Enjoy great views on this 4½ mile energetic walk to the summit of the highest mountain in southern Britain. Step back in time to the Bronze Age and visit the site of the obelisk raised to tragic Tommy Jones.Total ascent: 525m. Meet: Storey Arms Outdoor Education Centre car park on A470 (SN 982203) (LD3 8NL). Suggested donation: £5 per adult. This is a family friendly walk suitable for children 8 years and above. Booking essential on 01874 623366. In partnership with The National Trust.

Tue 28 Aug 10.00-13.00
Take pART Pottery Workshop
at the Mountain Centre, LD3 8ER.
Be inspired by the natural environment around you and create your own masterpiece. Suitable for adults and children aged 5 and up. Children under 12 - make sure you bring an adult with you. Cost: £5.00 per child. Parking charges apply. Booking essential. To find out more and to book a place call the NPVC (the Mountain Centre) on 01874 623366.

Tue 28 Aug 14:30-16:00
Walk, talk and tea
at the Mountain Centre, LD3 8ER.
An easy 1.5 mile family friendly walk that includes a mysterious spiritual centre, an industrial site, a final resting place, preparing for war, an unsolved mystery and a little known wonder. Followed by a delicious Cream Tea at the Centre. Cream tea: £3.20 per person. Suggested donation £2 per adult. Meet: NPVC, LD3 8ER (SN 977 262). Parking charges apply.Booking essential on 01874 623366.

Wed 29 Aug 10.00-13.00
Take pART Mask Making Workshop
at the Mountain Centre.
Make and decorate your own large 3-Dimensional animal mask from a choice of designs. Suitable for adults and children aged 5 and up. Children under 12 make sure you bring an adult with you. Cost: £5.00 per child. Parking charges apply. Booking essential. To find out more and to book a place call the NPVC (the Mountain Centre) on 01874 623366.

Thur 30 Aug 10.00 -13.00
Touchwood - Leafy art and fun tree activities for children at the Mountain Centre, LD3 8ER.
Suitable for children aged 5 - 12. Children under 8 - make sure you bring an adult with you. Cost: £5.00 per child. Parking charges apply. Booking essential. To find out more and to book a place call the NPVC (the Mountain Centre) on 01874 623366. Event run by Brecknock Wildlife Trust.

Thu 30 Aug 14:15-16:30
Brecon Town Past and Present
Discover Brecon’s sites of distinction, fascinating past and residents of renown on this gentle 2 mile walk around the town. Finish your tour with a visit to Cantre Selyf, believed to be the oldest domestic dwelling in Brecon, for wonderful cake and tea at a cost of £3 per person. Suggested donation £1 per adult. Parking charges apply. No dogs please. This is a family friendly and access for all walk. Booking essential on 01874 623366. Meet: Canal Basin, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, LD3 7EW

Sat 1 Sep 10:00 – 13:00
The Naked Ladies of Hay
Join us and guest speaker Jon Saville on this lovely 4 mile moderate walk to see the deadly and at risk naked ladies of Hay, meadow saffron. We will follow Offa's Dyke footpath up to Henallt Common, a Special Site of Scientific Interest positioned on a steep sided, north-west facing sandstone scarp which supports a good population of plant species that are rare and declining in Wales, before returning back to Hay for lunch. Henallt Common is one of the best sites in Britain to see meadow saffron, which should be in full bloom with thousands of rosy-pink flowers on display. Suggested donation £3 per person. In partnership with the Countryside Council for Wales. To book your place please call 01874 623366.

Sun 2 Sep 13:00 – 16:00
12th Century Physicians to 21st Century Graziers
Explore the magical landscape of Mynydd Myddfai, visit the sacred Physician’s Well and learn about the people who have lived and worked in this special place on this enchanting 4.5 mile family friendly walk. Meet: Usk Reservoir (SN 835 286). Walk grade: Easy. Suggested donation: £2 per adult. To book your place please call 01874 623366.

Thu 6 Sep 10:00-16:00
Get your bearings!
Exploring Llangynidr Mountain with map and compass
Are you looking to improve your navigation skills? Perhaps you've never used a map and compass before? This energetic 8.5 mile (13.6km) circular walk exploring Llangynidr Mountain will teach you how. Round off the day at the Red Lion in Llangynidr for a well earned reward and a chance to relax in good company. No dogs please. Total ascent: 475m. Suggested donation: £5 per person. Meet: Llangynidr village car park (SO 155 195). Booking essential on 01874 623366.

Sat 8 Sep
9:00 – 11:00: Horse riding and poetry with Owen Sheers and/or
12:30 – 17:30: Resistance - A walk with Owen Sheers
Join Owen Sheers in an exploration of the Llanthony Valley, with full and half-day options. A horse-trek for beginners in the morning will gently follow valley bridleways for a view of Skirrid Hill; the inspiration for Owen’s second poetry collection and subject of readings and discussion en route. The afternoon will start with a steep strenuous climb and follow a section of Offa’s Dyke Path. Owen will discuss the significance of this boundary between the Olchon and Llanthony Valleys in his novel and recent feature film Resistance. You can choose to go on both or just one of these two events. No dogs please. Lunch is not included although pub food is available locally. Ticket prices: £32/£34 (trek only) & £6/£7 (walk only) and £37/£39 (trek and walk) – the cheaper prices are for Welsh Academy Members only. Ticket price includes an optional donation of £1 to the National Park. Booking essential on 029 2047 2266. Meet: Llanthony Priory car park, NP7 7NN (SO 289 278). In partnership with Literature Wales and Cadw.

Sat 15 and Sun 16 Sep 09:45 – 16:00
Safety on the Hills / Bronze NNAS Navigation Course
Ideal for beginners and for refreshing dormant skills; you’ll learn useful navigation and mountain safety techniques. Do day 1 as an introduction or both days to gain the Bronze NNAS award. This NNAS accredited course is run by Manzoku at the Mountain Centre. £60 day 1 only, £110 two days. Booking essential on 01874 623366.

Sun 23 Sep 10:00 - 12:00
Fungal Foray
Come and explore the fascinating world of edible and inedible fungi with local expert, David Mitchell. Wales has the perfect climate for finding a bounty of free food and September is usually a great time of year for mushrooms and toadstools of all sorts of shapes, sizes, colours and textures which spring up in the woodlands and grasslands of the Country Park. This popular event has limited spaces, so please book in advance. Suitable for everyone over 5 years. Children under 5 must be closely supervised by an adult. Please bring a small knife and a basket with you, no plastic bags. Walk grade: Easy. Suggested donation £3 per adult. Booking essential 01874 623366. Meet: Craig-y-nos Country Park SA9 1GL (SN 843 154).

Sun 23 Sep 13:00 - 16:00
Fungi and Lichens
Exquisite, wildly varied and often surprising, fungi and lichen are part of the essential fabric of our countryside upon which all other wildlife depends. Join expert, Ray Woods, on this walk through the Country Park and up into the new Allt Rhongyr nature reserve, to look at the rich variety of fungi and lichens which grow here. Why are they so special, what do they contribute to their habitats and what role do they play in conservation? Find out the answers from Ray who has an excellent understanding of their importance and a bundle of enthusiasm to share with you. Walk grade: moderate. Suggested donation £3 per person. Meet: Craig-y-nos Country Park SA9 1GL (SN 843 154). In partnership with Plantlife Cymru and Brecknock Wildlife Trust. To book your place please call 01874 623366.

Thur 11 to Mon 15 Oct
Hay Walking Festival
Following the success of this year's event, the dates have been set for Hay-on-Wye's second ever walking festival. More details to follow soon.

Sat 20 Oct 09:45-17:00
Beacons Circuit
Take in all the high points of the Brecon Beacons on this strenuous 11 mile (17.6km) walk over Corn Du and Pen y Fan. Learn a little about glacial formations and local history along the way. Total ascent: 845m. Suggested donation: £5 per person. Meet: Storey Arms car park A470, 8 miles south of Brecon, LD3 8NL (SN 982 003). In partnership with The National Trust. To book your place please call 01874 623366.

Sat 20 Oct 19:00-21:30
Stargazing at the Mountain Centre, LD3 8ER.
Cardiff Astronomical Society will once again be hosting an evening of stargazing at the National Park Visitor Centre.
If skies are clear their telescopes will be focused on interesting phenomena in the night sky, or if cloudy there will be lectures indoors. Price includes parking, soup and a roll. The event will run whatever the weather! Our stargazing events are very popular, so booking is essential. Adults: £6.00 Children: £4.00. For more information and to book a place contact us on 01874 623366.

Sat 27 Oct to Sun 4 Nov 10:00-16:00 every day
Arts and Crafts Fayre
at the Mountain Centre, LD3 8ER. Free entry.
Come and browse a wide selection of arts and crafts at the National Park Visitor Centre throughout the school half term. Many are made locally, and all are individually hand-made pieces to treasure. Car parking charges apply.
For more information contact us on 01874 623366.

Sun 18 Nov 10:30-14:30
Winter Visitors at Llangors Lake
This lake is more than a bird-watching paradise it's an ornithological gem! Join National Park wardens for an easy 4 mile (6.5km) walk to view the Lake’s winter visitors and find out about the British Trust for Ornithology's bird ringing programme and some of the fascinating results obtained by trained and qualified bird ringers. Bring binoculars with you if you can. No dogs please. A family friendly event. Suggested donation: £2 per adult. Meet: Llangors Lake car park, LD3 7TR (SO 279 123).To book your place please call 01874 623366.

Sat 22 Dec to Sun 6 Jan 2013 10:00-16:00 every day
Arts and Crafts Fayre
at the Mountain Centre, LD3 8ER. Free entry.
Come and browse a wide selection of arts and crafts at the National Park Visitor Centre throughout the school half term. Many are made locally, and all are individually hand-made pieces to treasure. Car parking charges apply.
For more information contact us on 01874 623366