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Mrs Lucienne Bennett The Wern Llanfihangel Talyllyn Brecon Powys, LD3 7TE |
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To contact us: |
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Interesting Information about the Brecon Beacons and Radnor Horse Trail in Wales |
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A sense of place
The route of the Brecon Beacons and Radnor Loop is part of a very special place. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty: mountains, hills and lakes and the heavily wooded land, fields surrounded by hedges.
The Brecon Beacons are the highest ground in Southern Britain and the Black Mountains, which the Loop skirts, form a natural boundary between England and Wales and were used by King Offa to form part of his famous Dyke. The river Wye flows down from Mid Wales.
The area has ancient hill forts, Norman castles and despite its unspoilt appearance a rich industrial heritage. There is much to see as you ride the Loop and some of the most interesting features and land marks to be seen are described below. There is also a huge variety of wild life and flora.
Talyllyn railway The remains of the old railway from Hereford down to Merthyr and Brecon dissect the land belonging to The Wern Horse B&B.
Allt yr Esgair Allt means wooded slope in Welsh and across this heavily wooded hill runs an old Roman road, which is the bridleway you will follow. Near the top is a 19th century hunting lodge, now derelict. |
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The Begwyns - approaching the Roundabout from SW |
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An ancient beacons site from which on a clear day you can see 7 counties. More recently the enclosure was used for gathering sheep off the common and has been restored by the National Trust.
Painscastle A major resting place on the old drovers routes from west Wales to the Midlands and London. It once had 15 pubs and an enclosure for shoeing cattle. Only one pub is left now.
Twm Tobacco’s grave This is a small grave formed by a simple wooden cross and a cairn marking where an itinerant tobacco salesman died from exposure on the hills many years ago. |
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Llangorse Lake This is the largest natural Lake in south Wales and an outstanding SSSI. Just off the north shore is the crannog, an artificial fortified island dating from the 6th century.
Blaenllynfi castle Very little is left apart from a few low stone walls of this castle built in 1208.
Castle Dinas Foundations of a major masonry castle built on the side of an ancient hill fort. Both the remains of the stone walls and the ramparts are visible.
River Wye This river rises in the heart of Wales and flows through Hereford to join the Severn at the old Severn bridge.
The Roundabout |
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Erwood The Craft Centre, a good place to stop for lunch, is an old railway station. Down stream from the bridge is the old ford used by the drovers and the Twmpath is the old drovers road from west Wales.
Sennybridge Ranges Heavily used by the Army. This part of Mid Wales was taken over in 1940 by the M.O.D.
Y Gaer This was the main Roman Garrison west of Brecon, the first construction dates from AD80. It was the Headquarters for 500 cavalry and 500 legionnaires. The Roman road leading from Y Gaer is the bridleway you will ride on.
Brecon The weir on the river is where the water for the Brecon and Monmouth Canal is drawn. You will ride past Brecon Castle which was started in 1093. The Castle Hotel now occupies most of the outer bailey.
Slwch Lane The bridleway going east out of Brecon passes an ancient hill fort near its summit. |
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Looking down from the Twmpath onto the Wye Valley just above Erwood |
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Llangasty At Llangasty on the Lake is a beautiful little church and retreat centre. This is on the side of an ancient hermitage built for Brychan, the son of the 6th century King in this area after whom Brecknockshire is named. |
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Brecon Castle |
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The Brecon Beacons and Radnor Loop
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Take your own horse on holiday in Wales, or hire a horse to ride the trail, staying at a B&B en route. Bed and Breakfast with your own horse. MTB is an option. |