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.

Luxury honeymoon ideas

Another new idea from Beacon Park Boats. Try a houseboat holiday on our luxury narrowboats, moored on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal at Llangattock during winter and spring.

Ever thought about life afloat? Fancy staying in a toasty-warm narrowboat under a starry sky? Want to experience the Mon & Brec canal at its most tranquil?

Between November and March, two of our narrowboats are permanently moored at our brand new wharf in Llangattock, offering a luxury houseboat experience. It’s a particularly special way to enjoy the Brecon Beacons in winter and spring, and discover the romance of boat living.

Our wharf has an enviable setting, overlooking the Usk valley with magnificent mountain views. Just twenty minutes walk away is the delightful market town of Crickhowell, where you’ll find independent shops, pubs, cafés and art galleries. Stroll along the towpath and there are historic sites and pretty villages to explore. Head up into the mountains for superb views – a photographer’s dream. At night, your deck becomes one of the best stargazing spots in the Brecon Beacons, an International Dark Sky Reserve.

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.

Whatever the weather, our boats are snug and dry. They have central heating and excellent insulation while the log-effect gas stove adds a cosy feel to the lounge. You’ll find everything you need onboard, and our prices are totally inclusive. We don’t charge extra for fuel to run the appliances and central heating, bringing your dog with you, cotton bed linen, fluffy towels, boat insurance or for parking your vehicle in our car park. It’s the lap of luxury, yet close to nature.

Houseboat North  Sleeps 2, 1 double bed

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.

Houseboat South  Sleeps 4, 2 double beds

From November to March, our narrowboat Osprey becomes Houseboat South. Our longest boat and wider than average, it is the ultimate boat for two couples. The spacious, en-suite bedrooms have 5ft by 6ft 8in beds - perfect if you're tall. On those dark evenings, enjoy the home cinema, with 3ft pull-down screen and surround sound.

Check availability on your preferred dates between November and March, and be one of the first to experience houseboat holidays on the Mon & Brec.

New: Luxury houseboats for cosy winter breaks

Golf in this part of Wales is unhurried, with the greenest of greens (helped by a regular rain shower or two) and very special views. Some of our most famous golf courses are worth a taxi ride from the canal but others are just a short walk away from the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal. Yes, you really can bring your golf clubs on holiday, cruise along the canal, moor up and enjoy a round of golf.

The nearest golf course is the 9-hole Old Rectory Golf and Country Club in Llangattock which borders the canal, and offers splendid views of Table Mountain above Crickhowell. Also close to the waterway are the 9-hole Brecon Golf Club and the 18-hole Monmouthshire Golf Club near Abergavenny, both originally designed by the renowned golf course architect, James Braid, and both located alongside the river Usk in stunning scenery.

Further afield, you’ll find Woodlake Park Golf and Country Club - overlooking Llandegfedd Reservoir near Pontypool, and Wernddu Golf Club just outside Abergavenny - offering an 18-hole golf course, floodlit driving range and a 9-hole pitch and putt.

For something particularly special, head to the Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club, a magnificent parkland course within the Rolls Estate, former home of motoring pioneer and aviator Charles Stewart Rolls.

Or enjoy the superb facilities at the Celtic Manor Resort, home of the 2010 Ryder Cup. Both of these exceptional golf clubs can be reached by taxi within 25 minutes of leaving the canal. Perhaps the best combination of fantastic facilities, super scenery and close proximity to the Mon & Brec is to be found at Cradoc Golf Club, a few miles outside Brecon at the northern end of the canal. This 18-hole parkland course has a hilltop location with spectacular views dominated by the distinctive, flat-topped summit of Pen y Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain. Facilities include a 10-bay floodlit covered driving range with a double teaching bay, and an adjacent two-acre chipping and bunker practice area. Everything you’ll need for a great round of golf... if you can take your eyes off the breathtaking scenery!

Although, for those of you who concur with the thought that ‘golf is a good walk spoiled’, perhaps you’d rather look at the many other activities and attractions near the canal.

The Monmouthshire & Brecon canal for golfers

We’re excited to show our latest boat Merlin in the very early stages of her development. The steel shell was fabricated by Jim and his team at Alexander Boat Builders in Stourport-on-Severn. They did such a great job on last year’s narrowboat, Hawk, that we had no hesitation in asking them to help us with Merlin.

She arrived by low loader a few weeks ago and is now safely in our shed where our talented team of craftspeople are hard at work. The initial jobs were to paint her exterior in Beacon Park Boat’s classic colours of green and cream and add the spray foam insulation to make sure she’s cosy during the spring and autumn months. Then we put the wiring in, and battened and boarded the inside.

Merlin's vital statistics are 6'10" wide, 60'0" long, maximum headroom 6'3", 2 bedrooms, 2 shower rooms and an additional bed in the lounge so she can sleep 6 people. Of course there’s central heating, fully-opening double glazed windows and roof hatches, porcelain sanitaryware, full size appliances neatly arranged in the kitchen, luxury mattresses and all the usual high specifications that you expect from Beacon Park Boats. But you’ll have to wait a while to see these features as she’s still very much a shell. We’ve added some photographs to Merlin’s webpage to give an idea of what she’ll look like, along with a detailed plan of her layout.

When designing Merlin, back last autumn, we decided to combine the elegant forward section found on Osprey with the style of bedroom we used on Hawk, the narrowboat we built for this season which has proved very popular. So on Merlin you can expect to see a large canopied front deck which can be enclosed to create a conservatory feel and a lounge featuring a wood-burning effect gas fire. The two fixed beds measure 4ft x 6ft 4” and the middle bed pulls out, cleverly creating space on either side of the bed and allowing space for your feet to hang over the end of the bed if you’re tall!

Here’s an idea of what other tasks we’ll be embarking upon over the coming months to get her ready for her first customers on 19th March 2016. Remarkably, holidays on Merlin are already starting to sell. We’ll post more photos of Merlin as the work progresses, so keep an eye on this blog.

First look at our new narrowboat Merlin

As you probably know, the Canal & River Trust (CRT) is the body that cares for the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, along with a further 2,000 miles of the inland waterway network across England and Wales. To maintain this important heritage structure in good working order is a constant challenge for Operations Supervisor Kevin Phillips and his team based at Govilon. They use a combination of innovative techniques and traditional skills.

In last winter’s planned maintenance programme, they had to carry out major works between bridges 47 and 55 near the southern end of the waterway. Usually this would mean de-watering a large section of the canal so they’d have to get all the boats moved and undertake a fish rescue (where the fish are caught and moved to a different section of canal). On this occasion Kevin’s team used portable flexible dams on either side of bridges 47 and 55 which saved a vast amount of money and resulted in the job being completed in a short period of time.

Looking ahead to the planned maintenance for winter 2015/16, the tasks are expected to include re-lining the aqueduct at Goytre Wharf, re-lining the canal between bridges 131 and 132 at Llangynidr and the construction of retaining walls near bridge 103 at Gilwern to support the new roads being built as part of the A465 dualling scheme. It sounds like it’ll be a very busy time!

It’s great to see that CRT is ensuring that the historic techniques needed to maintain this picturesque waterway are passed onto the next generation. Operations Supervisor Kevin Phillips now has two enthusiastic trainees on his team. Rob Weatherley and Kate McCulloch are working towards an NVQ level two in Heritage Waterways Management that will equip them with traditional skills in lime mortaring, stone masonry and carpentry. By learning the skills that were used to build the canal 200 years ago, they’ll help keep it running today.

Dredging is a regular task on the Mon & Brec as silt builds up easily on the base of the channel due to its location. Rain water running from the hills brings soil into the waterway and leaves fall into the water each autumn from the trees that line its banks.

It’s crucial that this unwanted silt is removed to enable boats to move along the canal easily – after all, the maximum depth of the canal is just 3 feet. Using a floating dredger, the debris is cleared from the bottom of the canal, and a grader separates the waste into silt and stones.

The fine silt is then spread on neighbouring farmers' fields, proving to be an excellent fertiliser. This process shows how sustainable management of the waterways can benefit everyone. In amongst the silt there are often some unusual items; recent finds include coins from the 1880s, a gold ring, brass shotgun shells and the expected old bikes and rubbish. Perhaps the most unusual thing to turn up was an entire bus stop sign including its 6 metre post!

We’ll return to the CRT team for an update in the winter. In the meantime, read more about their crucial work on the Mon & Brec.

Canal & River Trust promotes traditional skills and dredges up some interesting finds

With the sun shining and National Picnic Week in mind, here are a few of our favourite places to stop for a picnic. Set off on your bike, by foot or even on a day boat. Remember there’s no shortage of independent shops and market stalls in Abergavenny, Crickhowell and Brecon to stock up on tasty food and thirst-quenching drinks before you head out.

Plenty of green space, picnic benches, toilets and a children’s play area. Watch the boats coming and going, and perhaps take a walk through Goytre Hall Wood – it’s an ideal route for families with buggies.   

A peaceful spot with a wooden bench and beautiful views along the Usk valley.

From the picnic tables, there’s always something to watch as the narrowboats negotiate the series of five locks at Llangynidr. Nearby there's a pub for extra refreshment.

Between Brynich lock and Brynich aqueduct you’ll find a super spot with picnic tables. It's a lovely stroll here from the end of the canal at Brecon. The towpath crosses the aqueduct so you'll get super views of the river Usk below.

The starting point of the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal has plenty to see and do, with a theatre, bistro, and pretty canal side cottages. Children will enjoy the play area nearby, and the towpath is perfect for an afternoon stroll.

Discover other places to visit along the canal on our interactive map.

5 top picnic spots on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

If you've been following our blog during the past 10 months you'll know that each year we design and build a new addition to our fleet. Back in July 2014 we started work on Hawk - a traditional narrowboat for up to 6 people - and we've written a number of updates about her progress. However, it's only now that we're getting around to giving you the final instalment in the story of Hawk's development.

After a hectic few final weeks of work we were ready to launch Hawk onto the canal in early March. We carefully inched her out of our industrial unit in Llangattock and craned her onto a lorry for the 2-mile journey to the Mon & Brec canal at Gilwern.

Then the crane gently lowered her onto the canal, stopping a few inches above the water for our tradition of the naming ceremony!

Sarah smashed a bottle of bubbly on the bow and named the boat 'Hawk' before the narrow boat was lowered the final few inches onto the canal.

There was a quick check for leaks before we set off on the cruise to our base at Llanfoist Wharf.

Our very good friends, John and Francoise, had the privilege of taking Hawk out for a week’s 'sea' trials. They returned with nothing to report, other than how well she handles and how comfortable the beds are! 

Just two days later, the first customers were boarding Hawk for a holiday. We were delighted that our most regular customers (who come all the way from Finland), were once again taking our newest boat on its first official trip. They have been visiting Beacon Park Boats twice a year for the past seven years. On their first trip of the year they always try out the 'new' boat and produce lots of invaluable feedback for us. Their second visit tends to be in early summer for two or three weeks on their favourite boat, Osprey.

With Hawk happily cruising up and down the canal we've turned our attention to next year's new boat. She's called 'Merlin' and at the moment she's just a steel shell. We'll tell you more about her in the coming months but, for now, take a look at the finished Hawk in this gallery of photos. 

Launch of our new luxury narrowboat Hawk

The RHS flower show has come to town. Well, it’s actually in Cardiff, about 45 minutes away, but close enough for garden lovers across South Wales to get their floral fix. The setting, in Bute Park - the extensive parkland surrounding Cardiff Castle - is superb. It has the largest number of champion trees (the tallest or broadest examples of their species) of any public park in the UK, and is a wonderful place to wander in any season. The show (17-19 April 2015) offers gardening talks and demonstrations from RHS experts and growers alike, activities for families (and children get in for free), plants galore, as well as the amazing, themed Show Gardens. Once the weekend is over, there’ll be no shortage of gardening inspiration because there are some amazing gardens, both large and small, near the Mon & Brec Canal.

Glanusk Estate opens its gates to visitors on Sunday 26th April, with artisan craftsmen displaying their wares including bespoke furniture, hand-turned wooden garden items, Welsh slateware, home grown plants and architectural salvage items. The garden is a colourful array of plants including rhododendrons, azaleas, acers, camelias, magnolia, prunus and dogwood, and homemade teas will be served.

Ashford House near Talybont-on-Usk, close to the canal’s one and only tunnel, opens its 4-acres of gardens every Tuesday afternoon between April and September. It has a relaxed feel, and includes a 1-acre walled garden surrounded by woodland and wild garden.

Tretower Court and Castle includes a re-created medieval garden with cobbled yard, orchard and a meadow. Look out for their occasional special events which are particularly good for families.

Some gardens opens on selected dates as part of the National Gardens Scheme. Wenallt Isaf, near Gilwern, is a 2½ acre garden 650ft up on a north-facing hillside with magnificent views of the Black Mountains. It offers mature trees, flowering shrubs, borders, productive vegetable garden, small polytunnel, orchard, pigs, chickens, and plenty of space to run about. Ty Cam, a small, imaginatively-created garden in Talybont-on Usk, is on three levels with steps built into an old railway embankment. It includes decks, pergola, pond and waterfalls, and has a woodturning workshop, craft gallery and even some chickens! Middle Ninfa Farm is an eco-garden on the Blorenge mountain above Llanfoist Wharf. There are vegetable beds, polytunnel, greenhouses, orchard, flower borders, wild flowers and amazing views. To round off a perfect day why not wander through the beautiful 33-acre grounds of Gliffaes County House Hotel overlooking the river Usk, before enjoying traditional afternoon tea in the Italianate-style 19th century hotel. For tree-lovers, the mile-long Gliffaes Tree Walk is a must, showing off their best 40 specimens including ancient Oaks and Beeches, huge Giant Redwoods and exotic Maples and Cedars. 

We’re looking forward to 21st June when everyone in our village gets involved in Llanfoist Open Gardens weekend. We’ll be playing our part once again at Llanfoist Wharf by running boat trips and selling Sarah’s delicious cakes. Read last year’s report for a flavour of what to expect.

Glorious gardens near the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

Did you know April is National Pet Month? It’s a good time to declare that we love dogs, especially our very own Buffy. We also love providing dog-friendly holidays. Visitors tell us that it can sometimes be tricky - finding accommodation that suits everyone including their pets. But here at Beacon Park Boats and Cottages we go out of our way to welcome all sorts. Dogs are regular visitors, and we’ve even had the occasional cat, a budgie and a parrot! All pets stay completely free (as long as they’re with paying guests!) and, most importantly, our cleaning regime is so thorough you'd never know a pet had stayed.

If your dog hasn’t tried life afloat yet, you might like to try a short trip on the canal. Our canoes and environmentally-friendly electric day boats can be hired from the end of the canal at Brecon for an hour or more. It’s a chance to slow down and see a different view of the Brecon Beacons, with plenty of places for picnics or a pub lunch.

Dogs are also welcome in our two cottages at Llanfoist Wharf, near Abergavenny, as long as they stay in the kitchen and lounge areas which have hard, easy-to-clean floors. It’s an amazing spot with the Blorenge mountain right behind for energetic walks and the canal towpath for a leisurely stroll. Both Incline Cottage, our cosy couple’s retreat, and Wharfinger’s Cottage that sleeps six, have waterside gardens where dogs like to laze in the shade after a hectic day out.

Narrowboat holidays on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal are perfect for dogs, with plenty of fresh air and miles of towpath to explore. If you’re concerned about your best friend taking up too much space on your boat, choose one of our wide-beam boats (8’6” wide) or consider a boat with a front canopy with roll down sides, which forms an ideal dog kennel.

Some customers with dogs like the boats that have a ‘semi-trad’ rear deck which enables them to have their dog in a contained area where they can keep an eye on them! Whichever boat you chose, we allow up to two dogs for free, and we provide a dog towel for that unexpected swimming lesson.

On a boating holiday it’s a real pleasure taking the dog for a walk each day, and you get to meet plenty of other friendly dog walkers on the towpath. Since the canal becomes narrow at each bridge, this is an ideal spot to step off the boat with your dog without the need to moor up. Then you, or your children, can walk the dog on the towpath as the narrowboat cruises alongside. There’s no need to run to keep up with the narrowboat as it cruises at a mere 2½mph. In fact, the dog walkers will be waiting at the next bridge to step back aboard! And with dog-friendly pubs along the entire waterway, there’s no need to leave your best friend behind again when you go on holiday.

Dogs stay for free

While taking a narrowboat through a lock is one of the more technical aspects of a boating holiday, it’s no reason to panic. In fact, it’s a fun part of a canal holiday and provides a little exercise!

Unlike on some of the very busy waterways, the locks on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal are not staffed and operated for you, so it’s a chance for others on the boat to get involved. It usually takes about 15-20 minutes to go through a lock, and if it’s your first time, there’ll be a real sense of achievement once you’re out the other side.

In order that our visitors feel completely confident about locks, we’ve produced a video showing how they are operated on the Mon & Brec. We also give a detailed briefing to all holidaymakers before they set off on our boats.

If you still don’t fancy going through a lock, the Mon & Brec is probably the perfect choice for your boating holiday, as there are only six locks on this waterway –  a flight of five at Llangynidr and one at Brynich, near Brecon. Even better, from the southern end of the canal to Llangynidr, a distance of 25 miles, there are no locks at all. It’s one of the longest lock-free stretches in the UK’s inland waterway system and a marvel of contour canal engineering. So you can fill an entire week's holiday without having to pass through a lock.

The pretty village of Llangynidr is the place to go if you want to watch boats going through locks. Combine it with a leisurely walk along the towpath, rounded off with some refreshment in the The Coach & Horses which has a canalside beer garden or The Red Lion, with a beer garden and children’s play area, just a 10-minute walk from the canal. Check out the many other pubs near the canal on our interactive map.

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