For romantic short breaks for couples we think our national park is pretty hard to beat. As well as Valentines day, in Wales, we also celebrate on the 25th January as we have our own patron Saint of lovers, St Dwynwen, daughter of the King Brychan Brycheiniog, who lived int he 5th Century.
On your romantic break to the Brecon Beacons National Park you can cosy up in front of a roaring fire in one of our country cottages, relax in a spa hotel or enjoy the style of our boutique hotels and B&Bs. We'd also recommend heading out into the National Park on a walk.
From serene countryside retreats to Edwardian town houses, rustic inns and cosy bolt-holes, we’ve got plenty of romantic places to stay in the Brecon Beacons. Whisk your special someone away for an unforgettable stay this year.
View all our accommodation here.
Like a well-matched partner, you'll fall in love with St Dwynwen's Day - Wales' very own version of St Valentine's Day. Find out about the Welsh patron saint of lovers, St Dwynwen and the special day dedicated to love in Wales.
We celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day (or 'Dydd Santes Dwynwen' in Welsh) on 25 January every year.
About St Dwynwen
Dwynwen lived during the 5th century and fell in love with a prince called Maelon Dafodrill but, unfortunately her father had already arranged that she should marry someone else. Dwynwen was so upset she could not marry Maelon that she begged God to make her forget him. After falling asleep, Dwynwen was visited by an angel, who appeared carrying a sweet potion designed to erase all memory of Maelon and turn him into a block of ice.
God then gave three wishes to Dwynwen. Her first wish was that Maelon be thawed; her second that God meet the hopes and dreams of true lovers; and third, that she should never marry. All three were fulfilled, and as a mark of her thanks, Dwynwen devoted herself to God’s service for the rest of her life.
It’s just like Valentine's Day, so it is positioned as the most romantic day of the year in Wales. We exchange cards and gifts, take time out, have special meals with our loved ones... some may go as far as to take long walks on deserted beaches, carve lovespoons, cwtch up in front of a roaring log fire and all that romantic fuzziness.
Soft, green hills, sparkling waterfalls and starry skies make the Brecon Beacons National Park an idyllic place to enjoy a little well-earned together time. Discover where to have a romantic trip in this beautiful part of Wales.
Seen from a distance, Carreg Cennen has a stunning silhouette, perched high on a crag in the rolling Carmarthenshire countryside. Many an artist has sketched, painted or photographed it – not least JMW Turner, whose watercolours now reside in Tate Britain. Climb up to the ancient castle walls and you’re sure to feel inspired. Find out more here.
Peaceful and rural, with a flavour of times gone by, the Mon & Brec is a wildlife haven that’s often voted Britain’s prettiest canal. It’s easy to hire a narrowboat or small motorboat and there are even electric boats, for quiet, eco-friendly cruising. Alternatively, settle back while someone else mans the tiller on a relaxing cruise from Brecon Basin to Brynich Lock. Plan your trip here.
Llangorse is the largest natural lake in the southern half of Wales, with grassy banks, dreamy views and a poignant sense of history. Llangorse Lake is a fantastic haven for wildlife. Otters and water voles are among the mammals to be found here. More often than not they’re hidden in the reeds, so you’re unlikely to see them, but you won’t miss the birds – warblers, coots, swallows, swifts and large flocks of Canada geese and other migrants congregate at Llangorse at different times of year.
Its crannog, a small island near the water’s edge, was once the site of a 10th century royal palace. The Crannog Centre explains how it was built and who lived there, and reveals some of its legends. Find out more here.
Spend an afternoon in one of our Towns and Villages
Browse the poetry shelves of Hay-on-Wye’s many bookshops for a special way to say I love you, visit Crickhowell to find perfect local gifts and then gaze lovingly at each other over homemade cake in Abergavenny.
Find out more about all the town and villages in our National Park here.
There are billions of reasons to hope for clear skies during your time in the Brecon Beacons, and they’re all twinkling overhead. In 2013, the National Park became the first place in Wales – and only the fifth in the world – to be granted special protection as a Dark Sky Reserve. The views of the stars are superb. Don’t forget to make a wish. Read about our top ten places to stargaze in the Brecon Beacons here.
Craig Y Nos Country Park
Possibly one of the most romantic locations in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Craig y Nos Country Park, the former home of Adelina Patti, the late 19th century opera diva. The park is situated in a dramatic and romantic location in the secluded upper Swansea Valley. A 40-acre Victorian garden with shady woodlands, meadows, ponds, lazy lawns and rushing rivers, provides you with a great place to talk a romantic stroll this St Dwynwen’s Day!
Enjoy a tour of Penderyn distillery
Penderyn Distillery produces award-winning single malt whiskies and spirits in the foothills on the magnificent Brecon Beacons in South Wales. Your guide will then take you out into the distillery itself before getting to sample some whiskey, gin or vodka.
Head out on romantic horse ride
Looking for a special valentine gift idea for someone you love? Why not create a special memory you will cherish forever? Or if you have something special to ask there’s no better place than the Brecon Beacons as your back drop! Find a trekking centre here
Sample some Welsh produce at Black Mountains Smokery
Black Mountains Smokery is a family-run artisan smokery based in Crickhowell in the Brecon Beacons. Our award-winning smoked foods are carefully sourced from British suppliers and traditionally cured and smoked at our smokehouse in Crickhowell. Local artisan food at its best.
Freshly prepared oak-smoked foods; smoked chicken and duck breasts, hot and cold smoked salmon, smoked trout, mackerel, haddock and kippers, bacon, ham and cheeses.
We offer a wonderful range of smoked gourmet food gifts and luxury hampers for home delivery. There is no minimum order with a delivery charge from £9.50, although postage and packaging is included for the hampers or on orders over £125.
Check out all the other activities you can enjoy in our Nation Park here
Whether you're looking for somewhere to have a Valentine's meal, a spontaneous date night or a special dinner with your other half, there are many options for romantic places to dine across the national park.
The Felin Fach Griffin Famous, award winning inn with seven bedrooms and restaurant in between Brecon and Hay on Wye. Six time winner of the Good Pub Guide’s Dining Pub of the Year for Wales, and winner of a Good Hotel Guide Cesar award for Wales as Welsh Inn of the Year. Strong flavours, well sourced ingredients, organic kitchen garden.
The Angel Hotel will serve you and your loved one a heavenly afternoon tea or book in for lunch or dinner. The Angel has been named ‘Hotel of The Year for Wales, 2020’ in The Good Hotel Guide’s Cesar Awards.
The Bear Hotel in Crickhowell, which dates back over 500 years, is bursting with character. With no two rooms the same, you could sleep in an oak-beamed room, a converted stable, a room with a spa bath or another quirky room altogether. Most of the rooms are dog-friendly as well. The pub serves fine food using locally-sourced ingredients. Crickhowell itself is full of independent shops, ideal for mooching around, and the countryside has loads of wonderful walking trails.
The Walnut Tree. Originating from the 1960s, The Walnut Tree has a longstanding reputation for fine food in an informal setting. In fact, it was named Wales' best restaurant in the 2014 National Restaurant Awards. Their menu is eclectic and predominantly includes meat and fish cooked with finesse. Leave time to walk around the gardens and explore the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside.
Hidden off the beaten track in between the Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains is one of Wales’s best-kept secrets. Among the old trees, spacious lawns and with a commanding view of the River Usk is Gliffaes Country House, built-in 1888.
The Plough is a charming four star boutique hotel and AA rosette award winning restaurant. We are set in breathtaking Welsh countryside near the historic market town of Llandeilo and overlook the beautiful Towy Valley. Our location is ideal for touring the castles, country houses, gardens and attractions of the Brecon Beacons and Carmarthenshire. A traditional Welsh welcome awaits you in our AA rosette award winning restaurant. Excellent local fayre is prepared by our team of professional chefs offering a varied menu to suit all tastes, including gluten free. Our menus offer seasonal variations and range from our very popular lunch specials, afternoon teas, traditional bar meals and a la carte dining
Relax and Unwind at the Manor Hotel. The bistro restaurant overlooks the valley and the river Usk and it is a great place for an informal lunch with friends, a snack in our bar or a sumptuous dinner as the evening sun goes down. Food is very important to us, only fresh, tasty, local and seasonal produce features on our menus.
Three Horseshoes, Groesffordd
The Three Horseshoes Inn has won a number of awards over the years, the most recent being our chef Gavin Kellet who won the National Chef of Wales award 2019. Prior to this, we were awarded our second AA rosette as well as winning in the 2018 National Pub & Bar awards where we proudly picked up the award for the best pub in Powys at the BAFTA building in London.
Enjoy modern British food at one the most charming places to eat in Brecon, with spectualar view fo the central Beacons. Take tea on the terrace, enjoy brunch in the dining room or have a snack in the cosy bar. Each are open every day for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
A cosy place to relax – you can enjoy the spectacular view of the Black Mountains from our peaceful, sheltered terrace. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick coffee and a slice of home-made cake or staying to enjoy an evening meal with friends and family, we have something for everyone.
Make the most of your visit, download our digital visitor guide
Our digital area guide is downloadable and available offline. With an interactive map, you can be sure to find the best places to visit, things to do, great walks and places to eat & drink. Download it here.
Plan ahead, find out more about visiting our National Park safely here
