5 reasons to visit the Brecon Beacons in winter

1.    Bracing walks

Pick up a walking guidebook in our super local bookshop, Bookish in Crickhowell or choose a few walking routes before you arrive. Whether it’s your first time in the mountains, you fancy a short, flat stroll or you’re looking for a challenge (Table Mountain above Crickhowell beckons), you’ll find it here. From our luxury houseboats at Llangattock, you can follow the canal towpath north towards the five locks and a pub for lunch, or south towards the villages of Gilwern and Govilon (also with pubs for lunch). Or follow the river Usk through the Glanusk estate, one of the largest privately-owned estates in Wales. Home of the Legg-Bourke family, it has Royal connections as Tiggy Legge-Bourke was nanny to William and Harry. We provide OS maps for you to use when staying in our houseboats, narrowboats and cottages.

2.    Pubs with real fires

There are plenty of friendly pubs in the Brecon Beacons, including the historic coaching inn The Bear in the delightful town of Crickhowell. It’s been welcoming visitors since 1432, is just 20 minutes’ walk from our houseboats and always has a roaring fire when it’s cold outside.

3.    Dramatic scenery

Ok, it might not snow while you’re here but the mountains are enticing to look at in most weathers. Get an idea of what to expect through the lens of photographers like Nigel Forster, Alyn Wallace, Anthony Pease and Grant Hyatt.

4.    Go indoors if it’s wet

If the weather is just too horrible to venture out, visit some of these rather distinctive attractions:

Talgarth Mill, Talgarth

The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh, Brecon

Tithe Barn, Abergavenny

Court Cupboard Craft Gallery, just outside Abergavenny

Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon

5.    Luxury houseboats

All of the above ideas for your winter break are located near our houseboats that are moored on the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal at Llangattock from November to March. You can literally set out on a walk from the very door – either along the towpath or up to a summit.