Brecon (Aberhonddu) is situated on the A40 between Abergavenny and Llandovery. Brecon is also accessible by the A470 from Cardiff and is only an hour’s drive.

Situated at the foot of the highest mountain in South Wales, Brecon has a great deal of Georgian buildings and features. With a population of some 9,000 Brecon is a Market town and on Market days you’ll find many of the old character farmers in town (maybe not so many at the moment with the foot & mouth).

Brecon boasts the oldest private school in Britain in Christ College, which was set up by King Henry the 8th in 1541. The Monmouthshire Canal starts at Brecon and thirty-three miles long and has lovely walks. Originally created to carry coal, iron ore and agricultural livestock it’s now used mainly for canal trips etc.

You will also see a number of soldiers in Brecon, as there are a number of barracks in the area as the area is ideal for extreme training in the winter. Due to the influx of soldiers into Brecon on a Saturday night some of the pubs are to be avoided, as it can get a bit rowdy.

Brecon is also famous for its Jazz Festival, which is held every August and attracts acts and visitors from all over the world. The streets are full of stalls and bands and there is quite a carnival atmosphere. Whilst not free the prices are reasonable around the £30 mark for a weekend ticket.

Brecon is full of little B & B’s, which are full in the summer due to the area being very popular with walkers. But there are a number of places for fishing notably Llangorse Lake where you can also hire sailing boats or windsurf. You can also go Gorge Walking, Caving or mountain biking.

So head off one weekend and I’m sure you’ll go home refreshed and having had a good weekend as the scenery is breathtaking and the people friendly.