There are many reasons to visit the stunning Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) in Wales and no more so than the great range of festivals and events that take place through the year. Bannau Brycheiniog (The Brecon Beacons) are truly a year round destination as you will always find something of interest happening. So take a closer look at what’s happening in 2014
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park covers almost 520 square miles. It has become an extremely popular location for outdoor activities and is famous for it’s walking. The highest point is Pen y Fan standing just over 2,900 feet above sea level, the highest in southern Britain. Not too far away to the south of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) are two of the biggest cities in Wales: Swansea and Cardiff. This means that both the weekend activities and the evening nightlife can all take place within a relatively small area, making it ideal for a package weekend of fun.
Not just famous for the stunning landscape and outdoor activities but also for it’s events and festivals. You may want to combine a visit to Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) try some activities and then visit and experience one of the following festivals, events or markets.
Festivals & Events
Hay Festival
Every year, around 80,000 visitors flock to Hay-on-Wye for the town’s annual literary festival and this year it celebrates it’s 25th festival. To find out more about the event which attracts some of the world’s top writers visit the Hay Festival website. This years event is on 22nd May to 1st June 2014. Past visitors include Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu and Cherie Booth/Blair, Jeremy Clarkson and Terry Jones to name but a few. This year you can expect to see people like Stephen Fry, Judi Dench, Toni Morrison, Joan Bakewell, Cassandra Clare, Julia Donaldson, Arianna Huffington, Jennifer Saunders, Francesca Simon and many many more.
Brecon Jazz Festival
The world famous Brecon Jazz Festival is graced with a wonderful mix of Great Brits and legendary Jazz stars from across the African continent to share the joy of Jazz in 50 concerts over 3 days on 8th to 10th August 2014. What makes Brecon special is the festival audience who are welcomed to the town of Brecon and to the National Park for a weekend of great music and celebration. Come on your own, come with friends, family, lovers or colleagues. Come for fun, and to meet some of the world’s greatest musicians. This is a real party atmosphere weekend and one not be missed. But book early as it is an extremely busy weekend.
The Royal Welsh Show
The biggest one of the lot and a must for all visitors. The Royal Welsh Show has become one of the most important events in the Welsh calendar attracting some 230,000 people over the course of the four days and is supported by approximately 15,000 staunch members. This show has something for all the family, mum, dad and the children.
This success has allowed for the extensive development of the permanent showground at Llanelwedd, first used in 1963, which is set in the heart of the scenic Mid Wales countryside. This year it takes place on 21st to 24th July 2014.
The Green Man Festival
The Green Man Festival is a British alternative music festival which was started in 2003. It has evolved from a one day 300 capacity event to a four day festival with three days of music including indie, psych, dance, Americana, and folk across five stages.
Music is at the heart but aspects of culture and living have become central to Green Man. Literature, film, theatre, ceilidhs, all night bonfires, comedy and secret gigs are all part of the festival. As well as fantastic food and drinks. Green Man takes place in the rolling parkland of Glanusk Park, nestled under Sugar Loaf mountain in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons); “of all the festivals in all the fields in Britain, probably the best field of all has been bagged by the Green Man Festival. This years festival in 2012 takes place over the weekend of 14th to 17th August 2014.
Abergavenny Food Festival
The Abergavenny Food Festival will be held from Saturday 20th September to Sunday 21st September, 2014. Opening hours: Saturday from 10.00 am until 5.00 pm. It offers visitors a fantastic range of delicious artisan products and an opportunity to meet the wonderful people who make them.
Monmouth Music Festival
Now in it’s 30th year, the Monmouth Music Festival will run from the 17th-25th August 2012 and is one of the biggest free music extravaganzas in the UK. The Festival is a non-profit making project, and is run by a small army of local volunteers. In recent years, it has won a number of awards and expanded it’s reputation as being one of the biggest and best free Music Festivals on the UK Festival Circuit. Attracting bands from all over the uk, the main event will take place at Blestium Street car park, with fringe events being held at the Three Horseshoes Pub, the Green Dragon Pub and St Mary’s Church.
Brecon Food Festival
In an age, where health consciousness plays an increasingly important part, the need for quality food and it’s preparation is fundamental. For the past 14 years the Brecon Food Festival has concentrated it’s efforts on promoting the very best of locally produced food and drink. Centred at the Brecon Market Hall, this iconic event is an opportunity for visitors to experience, not just local and unique tasting products, but a range of foods produced in this part of Wales which are fast gaining an international reputation. This year the Food Festival takes place in October , date TBC, and although centred at the market hall, it also spills out into the town with cooking demonstrations and stalls displaying Arts and Crafts. The growing success of the Festival, is one which makes this an opportunity not to be missed and a visit to Brecon, at any time of year, is always worthwhile.
For more information on Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) take a look at our pages on the seven natural wonders of the Brecon Beacons
Llandovery Sheep Festival
Llandovery Sheep Festival celebrates droving, sheep farming & the wool industry. All weekend the town of Llandovery will be celebrating its farming routes and connection to the drovers trails of old. Highlights of the weekend will include the sheep dog trials, sheep shearing demonstrations. There will be competitions and music throughout. It takes place 27th September to 29th September 2014.
For more on festivals in Wales click here.
For ideas on activity weekends click here and for adventure activity weekend packages with prices click here.
If any of the above interest you, contact us now!