About

Brecon lies on the confluence of the River Usk and Afon Honddu. It is the go to place when skies are grey and there’s rain in the air - there’s always a warm welcome here whatever the weather. 
 
First built as a Roman military base, Brecon grew in the shadow of the Norman castle which guarded one of the few crossing points on the River Usk. Today its characterful narrow streets, lined with buildings with attractive Georgian facades hint at times gone by.

Brecon Town Trail

From the main Car Park, make for the monument in the town centre and the road junction beyond. Go over the pedestrian crossing to the Brecknock Museum and along Captain's Walk in front of the museum, past the County Council and then down a ramp towards some houses.

Turn left and continue along a wide road with industrial and office buildings on your right. Ahead of you, by the theatre building, on the left is the start of the Monmouth and Brecon canal. Continue along the canal for 2 miles - about an hour - until you reach Brynich Lock, which has a lock keeper's cottage on one side and picnic tables beside the towpath. Take a short detour here by crossing the road and continuing along the towpath beside the canal to the aqueduct which carries the canal over the Usk river.

To proceed from Brynich lock, turn right on to the B road which crosses the Usk. After about three quarters of a mile turn right and continue along this road until you see a sign to Abercynrig. On the left is Ty-Mawr pool. During early spring many frogs and toads cross the road here to reach this pond. Turn right here and then go straight ahead, up the private drive, towards Abercynrig, where the road bends left.

Continue on this road following signs to Felindre bridge and Abercynrig Mill. Cross the footbridge, bear right and continue along the path until you enter a field. Follow the boundary on your left, in the next field follow the boundary on your right to another stile. Cross into an area of scrub and open woodland, and go up the bank, before continuing round the hillside (do not go up towards the forest), keeping the main woodland on your left. This path winds through scattered trees, eventually, dropping down to a ladder-stile with the Brecon by-pass in view.

Cross the stile, turn right and head for the next stile. Cross this and then go through the underpass. Turn left and head for the wood on your left. Follow the woodland fence at the bottom of the wood for about 150 metres to a stile near to the river. Cross into the wood and walk along a narrow path, following the sign to Brecon which directs you ahead along the riverside.

On leaving the woodland the path follows the fence again to cross a small river channel on the right via stepping stones. Turn towards the river and follow it upstream back to Brecon. After about half a mile the footpath joins a track.

Follow this for a few hundred metres, then, where the iron railings end on the right, drop down towards the river and then follow the Usk again until you reach the lodge by Christ College on your left. Christ College is a public school founded in 1541. Walk through to a small car park by the river, turn right over the Usk bridge to return to the centre of Brecon. As you cross the bridge there is a view of Brecon castle, the remains of a Norman stronghold now privately owned.