GeoFest 2013

Brecon or known in Welsh 'Aberhonddu' (meaning mouth of the Honddu) is a historic market town in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Ancient Britons, Romans and Normans have each left their mark on Brecon. The huge Iron Age hill fort of Pen-Y-Crug, on a hill north of the town has a circumference of 503 metres and an embankment of 5.5 metres high. West of the town lies the largest Roman fort of its type in Wales – Brecon Y Gaer.

Within the town located within the gardens of the Castle Hotel are the remains of the eleventh century castle constructed by the Norman baron Bernard de Neufmarche.

Standing north of the town is Brecon Cathedral, founded as a Benedictine monastery by Neufmarche’s confessor, a monk from Battle Abbey Sussex. The cathedral is of great historical interest, and has seen both Norman lords, Welsh princes and leaders of worship interred in its grounds. It boasts the biggest cresset stone in Britain with 30 cups. (A cresset stone is an ancient form of lighting, essentially a stone slab with a number of holes carved out of it for candles).

The hills around Brecon boast some of the finest walking and mountaineering terrain in Britain, including Penyfan, the highest point in southern Britain at 886 metres.
Within the town you will find the Brecon Canal basin which forms part of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal This is also the starting point for the Taff trail, a walking and cycling route that goes to Cardiff.

In august the annual Brecon jazz festival is held in the town with a host of venues across the town, including Theatre Brycheiniog.

Why not visit Brecon farmers market held in the market hall 10am-2pm on second Saturday of every month except August.