Nestled in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, there’s one small town that captures the character of rural Wales perfectly. With its pretty cobbled lanes, independent shops and stunning scenery, you won’t want to miss out on visiting this fairytale village.
Brecon has become a welcoming stop for walkers, history lovers, and those in search of a slower pace of life. Although it proudly boasts its own cathedral, often a symbol of city status, the town has never been granted city status. This has only added to its quiet appeal and quaint feel.
Dylan Matthews, customer service assistant at Visit Brecon, says: “The town has incredible historic roots which go all the way back to the Iron Age. We also have a huge part in terms of Welsh history too.
“There’s a lot of places in the area that keep the Welsh passion and fire alive and add to the sense of community in the area.
“We’re very fortunate to have the cathedral which is a huge part of the town and there’s great green spaces around Brecon too.
“There’s a nod to history in that Shakespeare may have based A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the area – which is up for debate between locals.”
Dylan says the canal is part of Brecon’s industrial heritage and that it’s a peaceful place for people to come and go on a boat holiday.
He says: “I’m a born and bred Brecon boy – I’ve lived here my whole life and it’s a great place.
“It’s a place with great culture, we have lots of art, music, jazz festivals and even a fringe festival. We’re very fortunate here to have our pulse on a very artistic community.”
Brecon’s cathedral is known for its beautiful architecture and for being a hub of the town. Visitors are constantly in awe of its pretty structure and say you’ll need to allow plenty of time to see it properly.
The Houses of Commons Library says city status in the UK can be associated with having a cathedral or a university, a particular form of local government, or having a large population.
Although any of these might be used to justify the popular use of the term ‘city’, in formal terms UK city status is granted by the monarch, on the advice of ministers.
There are other towns in the UK which have a cathedral but which have also not been granted city status as this is not the sole determining factor, one such example being Blackburn.
One person on Tripadvisor who visited Brecon Cathedral said: “This is a lovely building with some marvellous architecture and some great tomb effigies.
“The floor is covered with slate memorials and there is a whole chapel dedicated to the military. There is a car park and an attractive cafe.”
Another person penned: “Just so beautiful with so much to see and so much interesting history. It is also close to a handful of charming yet individual towns nearby.”
If you’re thinking of visiting, there’s plenty to do in the town if you’re hoping for the chance to relax while also having the option to adventure.
You’ll be able to browse independent shops, cosy cafés, and traditional pubs or get out into the countryside.
With a huge selection of walks on its doorstep and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Brecon is an ideal base for exploring the beauty of mid-Wales.