About

The Bannau Brycheiniog Visitor Centre, run by the National Park Authority, is known locally as 'The Mountain Centre and includes a cafe, children's play area and a craft and gift shop as well as providing information and interpretation for visitors to the area.There is an information section with books, maps and souvenirs and an excellent exhibition offers an introduction to help visitors  explore this pristine protected landscape. The Centre is 2.5 miles from Libanus and signposted from the A470, 5 miles southwest of Brecon on Mynydd Illtud Common which is one of several commons purchased in 1984 by the National Park Authority to protect and conserve the open landscape.

Mynydd Illtud Common
Some 1100ft/335m above sea level, The Mynydd Illtyd Common offers stunning views all around; the peaks of Pen-y-Fan and Corn Du; the Black Mountains; the River Usk; as well as a patchwork pattern of farmland stretching out towards mid Wales. Local farmers have the right to graze their sheep and cut bracken here. Look out for red kites and other birds of prey, along with sky larks and wheatears. The Common takes its name from St Illtud, a Celtic Christian missionary and teacher of St David,Wales’s patron saint.

Twyn Y Gaer Hillfort walk from the Mountain Centre
The most popular walk is across the Common is to the summit of Twyn Y Gaer, the site of an Iron Age hill fort site. The remains of Twyn Y Gaer Iron Age hillfort can be seen on the grassy mound of Twyn y Gaer. Though little remains of this ancient structure, it’s easy to see why our ancestors picked this naturally defensive spot to settle. 

Mountain Biking
For mountain bike enthusiasts, there are two marked routes to choose from that start from the visitor centre; the easy family Visitor Centre Route or the more challenging Mynydd Illtyd route.

Children's Play Area
Children and families are catered for in a well tended large field suitable for informal games and an outdoor children’s play area with a fabulous view of Pen Y Fan. Just outside the grounds of the centre is an area of common land called Mynydd Illtud, with plenty of easy walks with fantastic views.

Caffi y Fan
The cafe on the lower level offers breakfast, lunch and snack menus, along with a great range of tempting cakes and desserts. The cafe is licensed, so you can also relax and unwind after a rewarding day in the hills with a local beer or wine. There is a full range of teas, coffees and soft drinks too, to quench that well-earned thirst.

Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and picnic outside on the large outdoor terrace with spectacular views of Pen y Fan and the wider Central Beacons. From the car park follow the curved, gently sloping path down to the seating area and the entrance.

Gift and Craft Shop.
The Craft & Guft Shop stocks those all-important maps and guides, along with a number of essential items that will help make your visit go smoothly. Find handmade gifts from twelve local crafters, all based in and around the National Park.  Each day one of the crafters will be onsite, so you can meet the people who make the products on sale.

Dark Skies / Stargazing
The Bannau Brycheiniog Visitor Centre is one of the National Park's top ten sites for stargazing. Enjoying skies with a limiting magnitude of 6.37, the centre is one of the best and most accessible areas to set up telescopes. Please note that the centre is located on a working common - please respect local residents and park within the Visitor Centre car park and only use the centre grounds at night to minimise disturbance to others.