Craig y Nos Country Park

Situated in a dramatic and romantic location in the upper SwanseaValley, Craig-y-nos Country Park is a 40-acre Victorian garden with shady woodlands, meadows, ponds, lawns and rivers.The historic grounds of Craig-y-nos Castle, once home to the internationally famous opera singer Adelina Patti, (1843 – 1919) is spread on the banks of the RiverTawe. Now managed by the Brecon Beacons National ParkAuthority,the site has a long history. It is believed that aWelsh prince once lived in an earlier castle here, however Craig-y-nos Castle and Country Park date back to the 1800s. The park today has many gentle, easy-to-follow paths with benches, picnic areas and a tea room
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Where is it? Craig-y-nos Country Park, Pen-y-Cae, SwanseaValley, SA9 1GL. It is on the A4067 betweenYstradgynlais and Sennybridge near Dan yr Ogof showcaves. Explorer Map OL 12 or Landranger Map 160 – SN 840 155.

Distance There are a range of options up to about 1.5km (1 mile)

Time Allow 1-2 hours.

Terrain Mixture of tarmac and grassy stile-free paths. Mostly level or gently sloping ground.Wheelchair and scooter accessible through much of the Country Park; a wheelchair is available at the visitor centre for use on site.There is a braille map at the bottom of the car park.

Grade Easy. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Please Note.Trails can become slippery due to weather conditions. Please take extra care near the river and in the woodlands. Suitable footwear, sturdy shoes or boots with a good grip, are best worn at all times. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••The Route
1. From the café area, head down the sloping path between the car park and the wall.At the photography hut, turn left to the fish pond. Stroll around the fish pond or turn right following the path to the wooden bridge. Looking upstream, this is where two rivers meet- the River Llynfell on the left and the RiverTawe on the right. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
2. Cross the bridge and follow the path to the left which runs alongside the river and leads to the pinewood.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
3. When you reach a path junction, turn right and follow this path through the pine trees to reach the Far Lake.Walk right around the Far Lake to the other end. (Another option from the Far Lake is to take the path on the right through a rhododendron tunnel.This takes you directly to the bridge with the metal railings.)
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
4. The path then bends around to the right. Follow it through woodlands the
n alongside the river bank until you get to a bridge with metal railings. Look up and you will have a good view of Craig-y-nos castle. Adelina Patti moved here in 1848 and lived here for over 40 years with her second and third husbands.••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••5. Cross the metal bridge (some steps), turn left and walk downstream.You will shortly see an old building on your right. This is the Pavilion where castle guests would have changed into clothes for tennis and croquet and played on the flat lawns in front of the building.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
6. Continue on the path into the Hay Meadow, looking out for a memorial stone under an oak tree-planted by Patti herself in 1914.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••7. At the other end of the Hay Meadow there is a gate. Go through the gate then turn right to follow the path back to the Pavilion.You can then return to the car park by retracing your steps and continuing straight on past the metal bridge below the castle itself. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Information
Opening times Daily, 24 hours a day. The Country Park is never locked except on Christmas Day.  

Parking Car park at Craig-y-nos Country Park for cars/minibuses and coaches. Parking charges: £2.50 (£1.50 for 2 hrs only) Disabled parking available.

Refreshments and toilets Changing Seasons Café 01639 731498.
http://changing-seasons-tea-rooms.weebly.com/
Open Mon-Fri 10-4.30, Sat/Sun 10-5. Toilets Free. Open 24 hours every day except Christmas Day. Disabled toilet/baby changing facilities.

Public Transport Bus 63/X63 From Swansea viaYstradgynlais or from Brecon via Sennybridge. Buses easy access and take wheelchairs and prams. www.natgroup.co.uk/sites/www.natgroup.co.uk/files/ Service%2063%20X63X64%20-%20NEWEST_1.pdf http://www.traveline.cymru/

Nearest Towns Ystradgynlais for all facilities-shops/fuel/post office/cafes. Shop at Penycae 3 miles south. Post office/café/information and shop at Abercrave

Websites www.breconbeacons.org/craig-y-nos-country-park www.craigynoscastle.com/ www.geocaching.com/

Dogs Well behaved dogs on leads welcome
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Activities suitable on this route
There are four geocaches available within the grounds: CYN OverWater GC3JJ4A, CYN BesideWater GC3JJ5R, CYN Heron Lake GC3JJ7F, CYN DragonsView GC3JJ94.
Orienteering (ask at photography hut for maps), birdwatching, journey sticks, colour palettes, photography.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Sample Itinerary
10.00 Arrive. Tea/coffee at the cafe
10.30 Walk around Country Park
12.00 Picnic lunch in Craig-y-nos grounds or lunch in café
1.00 Visit Dan yr Ogof showcaves open March to October

View the pdf complete with maps of this route here.