Tourists and residents alike are being offered a new opportunity to see and understand the best sights of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Scenery Explained Wales was launched earlier this month, and is a spin-off from the already established GeoWorld Travel, which continues to offer longer Welsh holidays, International holidays and Polar Expeditions.
There are five new Day Tours to choose from, which have scheduled departures from Brecon, Abergavenny, Hay-on-Wye and Llandovery, and are timed to tie in with public transport to and from the National Park. All tours cost £40 per person and include a luxury home-made picnic lunch.
The tours are led by geologist James Creswell whose family have lived in the National Park for generations. James is also a Mountain Leader, a National Park, a Geopark and Dark Skies Ambassador, and has 9 years experience as a Polar Expedition Guide.
Tour 1: Mountains, Monks and Books, takes place on a Saturday, and using the train is possible to do as a day trip from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol or Cardiff. In fact last weekend a customer flew in from Singapore and joined the tour. She touched down at Heathrow at 5 am and by 10 am was in Abergavenny starting the tour. This tour includes Llanthony Priory, Lord Hereford’s Knob, Hay-on-Wye, Pwll-y-Wrach and Talgarth Mill. It starts from either Brecon or Abergavenny.
Tour 2: A World of Heritage, takes place on a Sunday and using the train can be done as a day trip from Bristol or Cardiff. A highlight of the tour is includes the Blaenavon Ironworks, part of the World Heritage Site, where James’s great great grandfather used to be the general manager. Other stops include Llangorse Lake, Tretower Court and the Big Pit. This tour starts in Hay, Brecon or Abergavenny.
Tour 3: Classic Beacons and Historic Brecon, takes place on a Monday and can be done as a day trip from Cardiff using the T4 bus. This tour examines the history of Brecon including its link to the Zulu War, the Roman Fort and the stunning scenery of the Beacons themselves. This tour starts in Hay or Brecon.
Tour 4: Waterfall Country, takes place on a Tuesday and can be done as a day trip from Cardiff using the T4 bus. The tour visits 4 of the most scenic waterfalls with just a small amount of walking involved. The tour also explains the geology of the the Fforest Fawr Geopark and visits caves and stunning views. Two weeks ago two people from Suffolk joined this tour, and were Scenery Explained Wales’ first customers. This tour starts in Hay or Brecon.
Tour 5: Castles and Legends, takes place on a Wednesday and can be done as a day trip from Cardiff using the T4 bus or from stations along the Heart of Wales Railway line. Set in the far west of the park the tour visits Carreg Cennan Castle, Garn Goch hill fort and either the Red Kite feeding station or Llyn y Fan Fach depending on weather conditions. This tour starts in Hay, Brecon or Llandovery.
If you want to book a Day Tour exclusively for your group this is no problem, and a Day Tour can be booked as a Private Tour for £160 per day. If you are particularly interested in Geology and Scenery then why not join a more specialised Scenery Explained private tour or a guided hike. The maximum size for Private tours and hikes is seven people if using my vehicle, however if you provide the vehicle large groups can be accommodated.
For more information or to book your tour or hike visit Scenery Explained Wales Website or email james@sceneryexplained.wales or phone 01497 847988
Brecon Beacons Tourism 