If you’re new to boating, you’ll be reassured to hear that handling our narrowboats is easier than driving a car! You don’t need any boating experience when you book a holiday with Beacon Park Boats.

We get you in the mood for boating well before your holiday begins by sending you a comprehensive information pack. This includes a selection of holiday itineraries which you may wish to follow. For example, there are leisurely routes, more active routes, and even a lock-free route if you don’t fancy going through a lock on this particular holiday. We also include our 40-minute training DVD which shows the important aspects of boat handling and explains how everything works.

Our detailed procedures for ensuring customers are capable and confident on our boats have the stamp of approval of the British Marine Federation. In fact, we are the first canal boat hire company in Wales to gain the British Marine Federation’s Quality Accredited Boatyard status, which recognises all-round excellence, in every aspect of the business - from health & safety and housekeeping, to marketing and online booking.

All our narrowboats have large rear decks so the helmsman (the official name of the person steering the boat) need never be alone. It’s from the rear deck that our boats are steered, using a tiller. You stand holding the tiller in your right hand, leaving your left hand free to operate the engine and the horn. By moving the tiller you are moving the rudder which is located behind the propeller. Push the tiller to the right and the boat moves to the left, and vice versa.

For effortless manoeuvring, bow thrusters are really helpful. They are jets of water which can move the front of the vessel sideways with the simple push of a button located on the rear deck. Usually found only on privately-owned boats, it’s a major selling point for many of our customers, who prefer not to use the traditional barge pole.

Should you misjudge a bend, there is no need to panic on our boats. Just switch on the bow thruster, push either the right or left button and a small jet of water from the front will prevent any unplanned contact with the bank! The bow thrusters are fantastic to help with mooring. Remember the times you’ve been parallel parking your car, and you’ve accidentally hit the kerb. Bow thrusters are like having ‘parking assist’ mode on your narrowboat when you’re mooring. You can nudge the boat gently with a push of a button, avoid hitting the bank and finish in the perfect moored position.

At the start of your holiday, we provide you with a thorough handover on your narrowboat, explaining and demonstrating how everything works. We adjust the content of the handover depending on the boating experience of our customers, as we strive to offer a truly personalised service. Once you’re happy, you take the controls and we accompany you on a short practice cruise. That way we know you’re confident before you set off on your own. Of course, if you need assistance during your holiday we are just a phone call away. In the meantime take a look at our video.

How to steer a narrowboat

Find out more what's happening on the Mon & Brec Canal

BBC Countryfile recently visited the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal in Llangattock, just a stone’s throw from our wharf, to report on various aspects of the work being undertaken by the Canal and River Trust (CRT). The programme, which is due to be broadcast on BBC1 on Sunday 27th November 2016 at 6.20pm, features the work to reline the canal at Llangattock. There are interviews with CRT Ecologist Dr Mark Robinson, Mon & Brec Supervisor Kevin Phillips and MEM Fisheries, who carried out a fish rescue in the canal along with Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton.

A fish rescue is a way of removing fish from a stretch of water so that it can be drained and/or worked on. A specialist fish rescue team passes an electric current through the water which temporarily stuns the fish causing them to float to the surface. They are then scooped up and put into holding tanks before being returned, unharmed, to another stretch of the canal. In the recent fish rescue at Llangattock, the catch included dace, roach, perch, gudgeon, skimmers and eels. Back in November 2014 we had to arrange a fish rescue at Llangattock, in order to drain the canal as part of the project to build our new wharf.

The television cameras may have gone, but CRT staff are at their busiest with planned winter maintenance. Now that the stretch of canal near Llangattock is drained, work has started on installing a new concrete lining to this section of the waterway.

Over £3million is being spent on major maintenance works on the Mon & Brec this winter, including:

- replacing both sets of gates on Lock 66 and replacing the head gates on Lock 67

- rebuilding a culvert and weir at Goytre Wharf

- repairs to the aqueduct at Talybont-on-Usk

- replacement of the control system on bridge 144, the lift bridge at Talybont-on-Usk

These significant improvements to the Mon & Brec infrastructure will be completed in readiness for visitors to start cruising again at the end of March. Plan your 2017 holiday now.

BBC Countryfile features fish rescue on the Mon and Brec canal

According to some seasoned geocachers, the Mon & Brec in South Wales is the best geocache canal in the world. We’re certainly seeing an increase in the number of visitors who try out geocaching while they are here, and some come on specially organised holidays, to hunt for geocaches along the waterway. One such visitor, Tarja from Finland, has kindly supplied the photographs for this blog; she visited these places while geocaching during her cruise on the Mon & Brec canal.

We asked some geocachers who have holidayed on our boats to explain the attraction. Veikko, who hails from Finland, takes regular holidays on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. Colin and Carole live in Wales, and enjoy the outdoor life with their dog, Wally.

Veikko: Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. With over 2 million geocaches worldwide, it’s an activity that is popular with all ages.

Colin & Carole: Once you’ve set up a free geocaching account, you can choose a geocache that you want to find, then you navigate to find its exact location. Geocaches are essentially waterproof containers that come in almost any shape or size. You will see everything from large, clear plastic containers to film canisters or even a fake rock with a secret compartment. Some are easy to find, others are rather more tricky, and all involve walking to a location and hunting for the geocache. Open the geocache, sign the log book and log your find online. Some geocachers also like to swop a knick-knack for one that’s in the box. Swopping items can turn the activity into a treasure hunt which many families love.

How did you become interested in geocaching?

Veikko: After a visit to the doctor a number of years ago, I was advised to start walking every day for health reasons. It was an excellent piece of advice and led me into geocaching.

Colin & Carole: It started on New Year’s Day 2012 when we went walking with some friends. After a lunch stop at a pub, our friends suggested taking a different route back so they could hunt for a geocache. As we walked they explained all, and we ended up finding a tiny container near the Tommy Cooper bronze statue in Caerphilly. We were hooked and went out the very next day to a geocaching event, where we started making friends in the local geocaching community.

Veikko: Every day. I have found at least one cache every day for the past 700 consecutive days. Often I go alone but when I visit the Mon & Brec canal I tend to come with other geocachers, as I have started organising geo-tours to Wales to show my fellow countrymen the beauties of this wonderful country. On our most recent trip we found over 200 geocaches in the Brecon Beacons.

Colin & Carole: Whenever we have time to spare. It’s a really enjoyable way to explore an area. We book our holidays around good geocaching hot spots. As a premium member of geocaching.com caching stats are displayed … including the length of time since our last geocache find. Our longest spell without finding one is just six days and we’ve now found almost 8,000 geocaches!

Where are your favourite places in the world to go geocaching?

Veikko: Without question, it’s the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal. In my opinion this waterway is ‘The Best Geocaching Canal in the World’. I have visited over 100 countries and nothing compares with this.

Colin & Carole: We don’t have a favourite. It’s taken us to every part of the UK. The furthest North is John O’Groats, furthest South Lizard point, furthest West (believe it or not) is also in Scotland. We’ve also found the highest in the UK (Ben Nevis), the highest in Wales (Snowdon) and the highest in England (Scafell Pike). We have been down caves in Bath, and paddled in a dinghy into a disused canal tunnel. We have even found a cache in a sunken shipwreck out in the Bristol Channel, only accessible at very low spring tides. On a 15-mile walk in Dorset we found 100 caches, and in a 100-mile drive through Cornwall we discovered 360 caches.

Tell me about the geocaches near the Mon & Brec canal.

Veikko: The closest cache to Beacon Park Boats’ base in Llangattock is near the towpath just opposite the boathouse. Until recently there were just a small number of random caches placed along the 33 navigable miles of this waterway. I contacted Colin and Carole who agreed to help out; they’ve been working hard to increase the number of caches on the Mon & Brec, and make it an even more appealing destination for geocachers. A very big thank you to them! To date there are about 100 caches along the canal and a further 200 or so within easy walking distance.

Colin & Carole: Interestingly, the oldest cache in Wales is on the Blorenge mountain, above the Mon & Brec near Abergavenny. Placed there on 17th February 2001, geocachers come from miles to hunt for it. There is a series of 30 caches in the Brecon Beacons called SWMC series, where you uncover clues in some of them to find a final cache. In the mountains above Crickhowell is an interesting 12-mile walk filled with geocaches, called High Tea cache. Brecon has a small series of caches in the town, by the river and along the canal. The Brecon Beacons’ spectacular scenery has geocaches on most of the prominent peaks including Pen y Fan, Cribyn and Fan y Big, and some are found close to aircraft crash sites on the mountains. For a splendid geocaching evening walk, try the old railway line from Talybont on Usk up to the Talybont Reservoir.

At Veikko’s suggestion we’ve started to place more caches along the canal. So far we have added 33 caches between Brecon and the Ashford tunnel. By the end of 2016 we’ll have placed new caches as far south as Beacon Park Boats at Llangattock. When we place a cache, we like to make it interesting to find, and obviously have to follow the rules set down by geocaching.com. We’ve also had to get permission from the Canal & River Trust. The caches we have placed along the Mon & Brec are all premium member caches, which means only premium members can see their location details. The reason for doing this, is to ensure that the cache location is not compromised by a novice. As we live about 40 miles from the Mon & Brec canal, it is a long way to travel to maintain these caches – which are our responsibility since we placed them there. It’s a big project which we’re proud to be involved in. When complete, we hope it will be a series that will attract many cachers from the UK and overseas.

How would you encourage others to try this activity for the first time?

Veikko: Take a look at www.geocaching.com and get involved with some local geocachers. They’re a very friendly bunch.

Colin & Carole: Start off simple. Become a member of www.geocaching.com and set out to find a basic cache (with a rating of 1 for Difficulty and Terrain). Perhaps progress to be a premium member (fee payable) and attend a few geocaching events. Join Facebook (South Wales Geocachers) where you’ll find lots of encouragement.

If geocaching’s not for you, look at the other activities along the canal.

The world's best canal for geocaching? | Geocache South Wales

The world's best canal for geocaching?

After a successful first season for our houseboat holidays, we are once again offering two of our toasty-warm narrowboats for winter breaks in the Brecon Beacons.

From November to March, our luxury narrowboats Buzzard and Owl will be permanently moored at our wharf in Llangattock, offering a luxury houseboat experience. It’s a very special holiday - being close to nature yet living in 5-star luxury. You’ll be one of the few who get to enjoy the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal when it’s at its most tranquil.

The two narrowboats are moored on either side of our wharf – one to the north and one to the south – so you have your own space. Our car park is just a few metres away, though you may find you don’t go near your car on this get-away-from-it-all break. From our wharf the historic market town of Crickhowell is just a 20-minute walk, with a lovely selection of independent shops, pubs and cafés, overlooked by mountaintops which you may wish to explore.

Last winter the houseboats were enjoyed by amateur photographers, couples who wanted to take long walks with their dog, visitors who liked exploring castles, a couple who cycled stretches of the towpath, and keen stargazers - after all the Brecon Beacons is an International Dark Sky Reserve!

Both Houseboat North and Houseboat South are designed for couples, but, like all our narrowboats, they are highly individual. Which would you prefer?

From November to March, our narrowboat Buzzard becomes Houseboat North. Styled on an Inspection Launch, this wider boat has a canopied front deck with side curtains which form a conservatory.  It’s packed with creature comforts including a 5ft by 6ft 6in double bed, mood lighting and surround sound system in the lounge.

From November to March, our narrowboat Owl becomes Houseboat South. Owl is the perfect boat for an anniversary or honeymoon. Laze in the lavish 5ft four-poster bed and relax in the hot tub on the front deck under a starry sky. Enjoy a romantic meal for two or snuggle up together on the cosy sofa in front of the wood-burning stove. Sheer indulgence.

Stargazing on a winter houseboat holiday

2017 is going to be another exciting year, with the launch of not one, but two new narrowboats for two people. We’ll then have seventeen 5-star narrowboats for hire on the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal.

The designs of these latest boats are the result of listening to what our customers want, and taking inspiration both from our own holiday experiences on boats and in hotels, and from the luxury super yachts that our good friend Thys designs.

With Wren, our boat building takes another turn. Designed for two, this is a very special canal boat with a pioneering, modern open-plan design. Over the past few months Alasdair has enjoyed visiting our friend Thys in Amsterdam where, over dinner, they have discussed narrowboat design. As Managing Director of Dykstra Naval Architects, Thys Nikkels has considerable experience of designing some of the world’s largest super yachts, and is an endless source of inspiration.

In Wren we've used curves creatively and incorporated sleek finishes to give a feeling of being in one large space filled with light - whether preparing food in the high-spec kitchen or relaxing on the sofas in front of the log-effect gas stove. The large walk-through shower is state-of-the-art, and leads to the oval kingsize bed. Beyond that, the windows open onto the front sun deck. Pure indulgence for a couple.

We’ve known for a while now that the layout of our existing boat Buzzard is extremely popular with customers. Kingfisher is very similar with just a few design tweaks: two comfy armchairs instead of a sofa, a beautiful walnut floor and a white ceiling inspired by our love of yachts. Styled on an Inspection Launch, this semi-wide boat is double glazed throughout and has a 5ft by 6ft 6in double bed. Relax in the lounge, complete with log-effect gas stove, mood lighting and surround sound system. Watch the world go by from the rear deck with its built-in seating, or from the canopied front deck with foldaway side curtains that form a conservatory - the perfect place to dine.

We hope you’ll be as excited about these beautiful canal boats, as we are! Take a look at the planned layouts of Wren and Kingfisher now, and come back to this blog for future updates.

Not one, but two new narrowboats for 2017

Brecon is a very popular destination for visitors to the Brecon Beacons National Park. It’s an interesting mix of heritage sites, outdoor shops for walkers, and more than its fair share of lovely cafes. With superb views of the surrounding Brecon Beacons and the terminus of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, it entices you to get out and about. Here are a few facts to help you explore the town.

The Cathedral houses the largest cresset stone in Britain

A 'cresset stone' is a flat stone with cup-shaped hollows, each being used to hold a quantity of tallow and a wick, which were burned to produce light. This was a common method of lighting churches and monasteries in medieval times. Although some thirteen cresset stones remain in various parts of England, the cresset stone in Brecon Cathedral is the only one so far known in Wales, and is the finest yet discovered. It is a rectangular block of native stone containing thirty cups arranged in five parallel rows, with six cups in each row - 14 more cups than at Carlisle Cathedral, where the largest cresset stone previously discovered is located. 

Brecon Cathedral, though modest, is set in an impressive walled close which is unique in Wales. It started life in 1093 as the Benedictine Priory of St John the Evangelist, built by the Normans on the site of an earlier Celtic church. At the dissolution of the monasteries in 1537 it became Brecon's Parish Church and was made a cathedral in 1923. Today, the remains of the former monastic buildings provide the administrative centre for the Diocese, as well as a Heritage Centre and Pilgrims Tearoom which are certainly worth a visit. The site has also been a filming location for Doctor Who in more recent times.

Brecon comes from the old Welsh word for this kingdom, Brycheiniog, which was named after the 5th century King Brychan who ruled this area. The name later became anglicised to Brecknockshire or Breconshire. The Welsh name for the town 'Aberhonddu' indicates the position of the town as being at the 'mouth of the Honddu' - where the river Honddu meets the river Usk near the town centre. A few miles outside the town, the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal passes over the Brynich aqueduct (pictured) to cross the river Usk.

The town has a strong tradition of performance

In the mid-18th century actor-manager John Ward arrived in Brecon with his company of ‘Strolling Players’ for a season of performances. His family stayed at the Shoulder of Mutton Inn in High Street, where his granddaughter, Sarah Kemble was born on 5th July 1755. As Mrs Sarah Siddons, she went on to become the greatest tragic actress of the London stage, retiring in 1812. The pub where she was born has since been renamed The Sarah Siddons Inn. Today, Brecon is fortunate to have an independent cinema, a Jazz Festival and a Baroque Music Festival. Theatr Brycheiniog, at the end of the canal, is a super setting for a lively programme of arts events including drama, dance, concerts and exhibitions. On the ground floor, with tables outside in warmer weather, there’s a cafe offering coffee and cakes, light lunches and informal dining.

Brecon is a garrison town

The Army has long played a large part in the affairs of the town and the surrounding area. Brecon Barracks, near the centre of town, is the present Administrative Headquarters for the Army in Wales, while an Infantry Battle School is based at Dering Lines on the eastern edge of the town. A few miles to the west of the town is Sennybridge Army Camp and Training Area, one of the largest range and training centres in the UK. Many thousands of service personnel use these facilities each year, training on the rugged hills of the Brecon Beacons. The Gurkhas have particularly strong links with the town. They were honoured with the Freedom of the Town of Brecon in 1985 and an annual parade, known as the Brecon Freedom Parade, marks this association.

The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh is located next to Brecon Barracks. It houses objects and archives from four centuries and across four continents. Best remembered is the tragedy and triumph of the Zulu war of 1879. Members of the regiment won a handful of Victoria Crosses at Rorke's Drift, when 140 soldiers of the Regiment stood firm against an attack by 4,000 Zulu warriors. The Regimental Chapel of the Regiment in Brecon Cathedral contains the Colours saved after the British disaster at Isandhlwana which occurred 12 hours before Rorke's Drift.

The Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal (as it was originally called) was built to transport the raw materials and finished goods from the coal mines and ironworks of the South Wales valleys during the 19th century. Limestone, which was quarried in the region, was often transported by water and tramroad to canalside lime kilns. Here it was burned to produce lime for use as a fertiliser and a building material. The remains of lime kilns can be seen at various locations along the length of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. About half a mile from the now picturesque end of the canal you’ll come across a wooden sculpture of a man with a horse. This is a reminder of Brecon’s industrial past, along with the former lime kilns nearby on the opposite side of the canal. It’s a gentle stroll along the canal towpath or a little jaunt in an electric boat which can be hired from the end of the canal.

5 little-known facts about Brecon

On your next visit to the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, look out for the interpretation panels sited along the towpath. Featuring the detailed illustrations of the late Michael Blackmore, they tell the story of the canal’s history, and form part of a project to provide information that will increase visitors’ enjoyment. Once the project is complete later this year, there’ll be panels spaced along the entire length of the waterway from the terminus at Brecon to Pontymoile, near Pontypool.

Unfortunately, Michael Blackmore passed away during the early stages of the project. However, suitable illustrations can be found amongst his extensive catalogue, and we have happily contributed royalty-free copies of the Blackmore images which we own – having been an avid collector of his work for some years.

Michael’s ability to capture an historical Mon & Brec scene in all its detail, is unmatched. It was borne out of an intimate knowledge of the subject matter, married with an eye for detail that came from his experience of working as a lithographic printer.

The panels that are already in place, between the villages of Gilwern and Llanfoist, depict the early days of the canal. Short extracts from the Canal Company minutes are included, to describe the nature, context and scale of the operation, as well as to introduce one of the central characters of the 'story' - canal engineer Thomas Dadford Jr. Find these panels at the following locations: Gilwern Car Park, Gilwern Basin, Govilon (Bridge 100) and Govilon Wharf (opposite Wharf House, near bridge 97).

Panels are also planned for Watton Wharf tramway, Watton limekilns, Brynich aqueduct, Llangattock limekilns (near our boathouse), Talybont rail crossing, Ashford tunnel South, Llangynidr locks, Heron’s Rest marina, Gilwern Basin, Llanfoist, Goytre Wharf and Pontymoile Basin. 

A number of specialist businesses are involved in this project, which is managed by Gareth Kiddie Associates. The panels were designed by Girl & Boy Studio and manufactured by Pryorsign, while local blacksmith Peter Downey created the bespoke plinths. The project was commissioned by the Canal & River Trust working in partnership with Brecon Beacons National Park, with grants from the Sustainable Development Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

You’ll find more Michael Blackmore illustrations at our boathouse, on our website and in the limited edition book we have produced.

Michael Blackmore’s illustrations grace the canal

Most people think they can paint. You just open a tin of paint, in goes the brush and onto the door frame it goes. But have you considered how you’d do it if you were given a large quantity of marine paint, had a very large area to cover, needed to avoid getting paint on the windows and rails, and, of course, had to produce an immaculate finish. It’s a very different story. This is how we do it.

We have our very own paint expert - Sarah. Co-owner (with Alasdair) of Beacon Park Boats, Sarah makes sure that Alasdair is never allowed anywhere near a paint brush. Instead, he handles the dirty jobs. Sarah has been painting boats for sixteen years and, up until recently, has always painted our boats in a single pack coach enamel paint, which requires the standard pre-treatments of priming and undercoating.

Painting is a big part of life at Beacon Park Boats; it falls into two distinct jobs. Firstly, there is the annual maintenance; every boat has to be repainted each year because the fleet’s paintwork inevitably gets scratched by canalside vegetation and the odd bridge (more about this in another blog). Secondly, we build at least one new boat each year which has to be painted. The new boat arrives in an un-primed state i.e. a metal tube with surface rust. To achieve excellent paint bonding, the boat is ideally grit blasted to ensure complete rust removal and removal of mill scale. Following this, we clean the boat and wash it down.

Up until last year, Sarah spent several weeks adding two primers, three undercoats and two top coats to each new boat, in order to ensure a weather resistant finish. All applied with a brush, by hand. Last year, to reduce this workload, we experimented with a two pack paint which has the huge advantage of being harder, as the paint is chemically cured, rather than air cured. The disadvantage using the two pack was that it was hard to brush out as the “wet edge” which was not maintained very long and, therefore, brush marks could be visible in places. The only practical means of overcoming this problem, and to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation, is to spray the paint on.

Spraying has many pros and cons! Its pros are obvious: it goes on quickly and can be oversprayed several times in a single day. Its cons are that you have to control the environment, mask up all the areas you do not want to paint and purchase the expensive equipment. Nevertheless, we made the bold decision to enter the world of spraying.

Sarah contacted our paint supplier Marine and Industrial who recommended a spraying course which they help to run with 3M (manufacturers of spraying equipment and consumables). After successfully completing this course Sarah was ready to spray this year’s new canal boat, Merlin. The very helpful boys from Marine and Industrial initially brought down their equipment and gave Sarah expert guidance in putting into practice what she had learned on the course. The undercoat primer was applied using an airless sprayer, i.e. pumped from the tin under very high pressure through the gun, and one application resulted in a fairly thick coat. Once dry, the surface was lightly abraded ready for the topcoat.

The topcoat was a much trickier task. To obtain the trademark Beacon Park Boats high gloss finish that we all expect from Sarah, this top coat had to be air sprayed. Potentially this would go everywhere, with overspray turning our new workshop and the inside of Merlin a delightful shade of green! So we put in place some preventive measures, totally encasing an area of our new boathouse. Then, of course, there is Sarah’s health. To undertake this job she had to wear an air-fed mask and goggles, which occasionally misted up!

We are pleased to announce that the result is superb. Under the expert guidance of Marine and Industrial, Merlin has been successfully painted in a two pack paint by Sarah. All she has to do to complete her training is to spray the other new boat we’re building, Grouse. That’s next month’s job!

The secret behind our narrowboats' glossy paintwork

Talybont-on-Usk, as the name suggests, is situated close to the River Usk, as well as being adjacent to the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. About seven miles from Brecon, towards the northern end of the waterway, the small village is not short of anything; there’s a reservoir, mountains, woods, waterfalls, plenty of wildlife, local arts and crafts, a village shop and wi-fi cafe, four excellent pubs and some very dark skies for stargazing. Here are some other things you should know.

Powered by green energy

Talybont-on-Usk is proud to have developed the first community-owned hydro scheme in Wales. The turbine works off the compensation flow from Talybont Reservoir, high above the village. If you walk along the reservoir dam, you can look down and see the turbine house and read all about the scheme. The villagers sell the electricity to the National Grid and use the income to fund innovative sustainability projects in the village. They’ve also installed solar panels on the roof of the community hall, and operate a community eco car-share scheme – with a community electric van called Heulwen (Welsh for ‘sunshine’) and a community car running on recycled chip oil called Mr Chips!

Local photographer Nigel Forster, who specialises in landscape photography, runs photography courses in the Brecon Beacons. His corporate commissions included the NATO Summit held in Newport in 2014, which was an amazing opportunity to show off the beauty of the Brecon Beacons to the world’s leaders.

The Brinore Tramroad runs for approximately 8 miles between the canal at Talybont-on-Usk and the village of Trefil in the South Wales valleys. Opened in 1815, it linked the Tredegar iron works and Trefil limestone quarries to what was then called the Brecon and Abergavenny canal. Its route passes through the dramatic and scenic valleys of Talybont and Dyffryn Crawnon before reaching the uplands of Trefil mountain. During its short-lived operational life, horse-drawn trams ran on a track of cast iron plates held parallel by tie bars. The development of the tramroad is linked to the canal and its demise was heralded by the opening of the Brecon & Merthyr railway in 1863. Today, it’s a well-trodden route for walkers with super views; it leaves the canal behind the White Hart Inn public house.

Two challenging walks pass through the village. The 48-mile Usk Valley Walk follows the course of the river from Caerleon (close to where the Usk flows into the river Severn) to Brecon. The 99-mile Beacons Way crosses the National Park from the Skirrid mountain near Abergavenny to Bethlehem (the one in Carmathenshire). It takes you across some of the most varied and beautiful upland landscapes in Great Britain and includes Pen y Fan, the highest point in southern Britain. Experienced walkers do it in eight days; others prefer to do it in chunks, perhaps as eight separate linear walks.

Scholar, poet and doctor, Henry Vaughan, was born at Newton Farm across the valley from Talybont-on-Usk in 1621. One of twins, his brother Thomas was a priest and alchemist. Their childhood was spent in this beautiful setting, but the Civil War (in which they fought for the King) tore their world apart. Reinventing themselves afterwards, Henry as ‘Silurist’ and Thomas as ‘Eugenius Philalethes’, they published over a dozen devotional, alchemical medical and poetic volumes. Ultimately recognised as one of the greatest confessional, visionary poets, Henry influenced many later poets including Wordsworth and Siegfried Sassoon. The popular Henry Vaughan walk starts by the side of The White Hart Inn in Talybont-on-Usk and is a gentle 2.5 mile stroll through the scenic, historic and poetic landscape. Perfect for families, there are herb gardens to discover, fields, meadows and the river Caerfanell to cross. Look out for extracts of poetry on posts along the route. There’s even a geocaching route, developed by a local resident, which includes the Vaughan brothers.

This is one of a series of blogs about places worth visiting along the canal. Check out Llanover too and take a look at what else there is to see in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

5 little-known facts about the village of Talybont-on-Usk

Don’t hibernate during winter, when the Brecon Beacons have so much to offer. Find out what delights you can discover, without any crowds to spoil them.

Yes, we know it’s stunning all year round but the peaks take on a new magnificence in the snow. Simply takes our breath away.

Nine-day festival (27th February to 6th March 2016) where you can explore the region on guided walks, and enjoy the company of other walkers at events as diverse as rock climbing taster sessions, illustrated lectures and concerts.    

Along the entire length of the Mon and Brec Canal there are historic pubs offering cosy lunches. Perfect after a crisp winter walk. 

Even at the height of summer there are gorgeous parts of the Brecon Beacons where you can avoid the crowds. In winter, it’s even easier; it'll often be just you and the wildlife. You'll feel like you own the place.

Excellent seasonal produce is available from the regular Farmers’ Markets at Brecon, Llangynidr (tel: 07976 884594) and Abergavenny.

It’s not all about the outdoors. The varied programme of local concerts this winter includes chamber music and folk music at the Borough Theatre in Abergavenny, the Banff Mountain Film Festival on tour to Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon, and Brecknock Sinfonia in Brecon Cathedral.

In this International Dark Sky Reserve you’ll find some of the best stargazing spots in Europe. Regular stargazing events help more and more people enjoy the spectacular night skies. Look out for the International Space Station with Tim Peake aboard.

For the first time, we’re offering guests the chance to stay on two of our centrally-heated narrowboats throughout the winter months, moored at an idyllic setting in Llangattock. If you need more space but want to be near the water, our canalside cottages near Abergavenny might fit the bill.

8 reasons to visit the Brecon Beacons this winter

As the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal winds its way through the Brecon Beacons National Park, it passes close to several villages worth visiting. The village of Llanover is a small collection of houses on the historic, privately-owned Llanover estate, just south of Abergavenny. Blink and you’ll miss it. Stop and you’ll find plenty to explore.

Born Augusta Waddington, Lady Llanover (1802-1896) was the heiress to the Llanover estate. She was an enthusiastic supporter of all things Welsh, and became known as 'Gwenynen Gwent' - the Bee of Gwent. Her efforts to preserve the heritage of Wales included learning the Welsh language, writing a traditional cook book, employing a harpist and developing the Welsh national costume. Her husband was Benjamin Hall MP after whom ‘Big Ben’ - the famous bell in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament - is named. He was the First Commissioner for Works, and his name is inscribed on the bell.

As a supporter of the Temperance Movement, Lady Llanover closed every pub on her estate during the late 19th century. Some of the pub buildings remain, including what was the Nags Head, which later became the Post Office (now closed). Situated alongside the main road through Llanover, it still displays a sign saying ‘Llythyrdy, Rhyd-y-Meirch ‘ which translates as ‘Post Office, Ford of the Stallions’. However, the 300-year-old Goose and Cuckoo Inn survived as it lies outside the Llanover estate boundary. From bridge 81 it’s a decent climb up to the Goose and Cuckoo but you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views and a selection of around 75 single malt whiskies!

It was Lady Llanover who championed the development of a Welsh national costume. Her estate workers were obliged to wear locally-made and traditionally-styled clothes. In order to help preserve the traditional styles of dress, she drew illustrations of her ideas of Welsh costume, attributing them to specific regions of Wales. Her main motive is thought to have been to save the Welsh flannel and woollen industry which was under threat from imported cotton. With this in mind, she built a Welsh woollen mill on the Llanover Estate. The textile tradition is continued by Sioni Rhys Handweavers in nearby Pandy, who have recreated some of the Llanover designs in their collection.

The gardens at Llanover House (which is privately owned and not open to the public) were created by Augusta Hall’s father at the end of the eighteenth century. He used the Rhyd-y-Meirch stream to create a garden with notable water features and planted trees such as the London Plane, which had recently been introduced into Great Britain. Successive generations of the family have continued the culture of planting for the long- term, while the original landscaping designed and built over two hundred years ago still remains intact. Visitors can stroll around the gardens on selected dates, and groups are welcome by appointment. 

Hanover Chapel in Llanover is visited each year by up to 2,000 Koreans, who want to make a connection with Robert Jermain Thomas, a 19th century missionary executed in Korea. Thomas left Hanover Chapel, where his father was the minister, in 1863 to distribute Bibles amongst the Koreans. A hero to many Korean Christians, Robert Jermain Thomas is credited with helping to start the Protestant church in their country.

We’ll be writing blogs on other places along the canal. In the meantime, take a look at what else there is to see in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

5 little-known facts about the village of Llanover

With sunny places all round the globe claiming to be the ultimate honeymoon destination, we’re championing the Brecon Beacons as an ideal location for your first holiday as a newly married couple.

We’ve asked some of the couples who’ve honeymooned on our luxury canal boats why Beacon Park Boats is their perfect choice. Among them, Matt and Jess said ‘We had an amazing week on Owl and couldn't fault your service one bit. You’ve thought of absolutely everything that we could need, and we felt like the King and Queen of the canal, as our narrowboat was so beautiful. There were plenty of interesting places to visit along the Mon and Brec, and we especially loved Crickhowell. A truly memorable honeymoon.’

So what sort of honeymoon are you looking for?

How can you fail to be moved by the beautiful scenery of the Brecon Beacons National Park? It’s an amazing backdrop to one of the most significant holidays you’re likely to take. While it’s only 3 hours from London, with easy road and rail links, this rural idyll is a world away from your hectic lifestyle. There are stretches of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal where you’re unlikely to meet anyone – the perfect bolthole. Just what you need to unwind after the busy build-up to your wedding.

If you’re a get-up-and-go couple, you’ll enjoy the thrills of climbing the Blorenge, horseriding near Brecon or hiring bikes to explore the towpath. There’s even more adventure at the Llangorse Multi-Activity Centre, a short taxi ride away from the canal. Or you can take to the skies for an unforgettable paragliding flight.

Who needs beaches, when you’ve got mountains? For special moments try watching the sun set from the top of Table Mountain overlooking Crickhowell or gazing up at the starry night sky from the deck of your boat.

Who needs tropical cocktails? Try the more distinctive Penderyn whisky or share a bottle of wine grown by Sugarloaf Vineyard in Abergavenny.

Who needs roll-top baths, hot tubs and 4-poster beds? Well, not everyone but, in case you do, there’s a roll-top bath on Harrier and Owl has a luxurious 4-poster bed and on-deck hot tub. Sheer indulgence.

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