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Brecon Beacons National Park Guided Walks, Children's Activities & Family Events June 2010

@ Different start points across The National Park Brecon Beacons National Park

Brecon Beacons National Park: Guided Walks & Events

A full programme of Brecon Beacons National Park Authority guided walks, children's activities and family events for you to enjoy throughout June 2010.

Saturday 22 May - Sunday 6 June Fforest Fawr Geopark Festival Geopark Event In common with dozens of other Geoparks across Europe, Fforest Fawr is celebrating its geological and cultural heritage throughout this fortnight. Join us for walks, talks and other events. For full details of all events visit website link Thursday 27 May to Sunday 6 June The Guardian Hay Festival. Event. Hay is one of the largest literary festivals in the world. Founded in 1988 it attracts a Who's Who of the British literary world along with comedians, musicians and an impressive array of international speakers - Bill Clinton, Bob Geldof and Jamie Oliver have all attended previous events. Box Office 01497 822629 website link Saturday 29 May to Sunday 6 June Arts and Crafts Fayre 10:00-16:00 every day. Free entry. Family Friendly Event. Come and browse a wide selection of arts and crafts at the National Park Visitor Centre throughout the school half term. Many are made locally, and all are individually hand-made pieces to treasure. Car parking charges apply. For more information contact us on 01874 623366. Wednesday 2 June Sinks and Swallows 10:00-15:00. Free entry. Geopark Festival Guided Walk. Geopark Event. Though it's pitted with craters like a battlefield - the 'karst' landscape of the Brecon Beacons is quite natural - and it's unique in Britain. But how did all those holes get there? Find out on a gentle 7 mile walk up a small hill with outstanding views of the higher peaks. Length, Grade & Ascent: 7m/11km, Moderate, 225 Meet: Meet: Car park on A4059, 1mile north of Penderyn on junction with signposted road to Ystradfellte (SN 944104). Leaders: National Park Volunteer, Dave Ing and Geopark Development Officer, Alan Bowring (TBC). Please phone us on 01874 623366 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience. Wednesday 2 June When Britain Baked: climate change past, present and future. 19.00-20.30. Free entry. Event. Geopark Event. Professor Paul Pearson of Cardiff University talks on patterns and processes of global climate change in Earth's history. Venue: Theatr Brycheiniog/Brecon Theatre. Box Office: 01874 611622 website link Thursday 3 June Brecon Town Past and Present 14:15-16:30. Geopark Festival Family Friendly Guided Walk. (repeated Tuesday 20 July, Thursday 19 August, Thursday 16 September, Thursday 21 October) A town walk, visiting sites of distinction, discovering Brecon's fascinating past and residents of renown. No dogs please. Length / Grade: Approximately 2 miles / Access for all. Meet: Canal Basin, Theatre Brycheiniog, Brecon. Small charge for parking. Leader: National Park Volunteer Peter Brock and National Park Rights of Way Assistant, Avril Barnes. Please phone us on 01874 623366 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience. Thursday 3 June Colours of the Black Mountain 10:30-16:30. Free entry. Geopark Festival Guided Walk. A look at the geology, animal and plant life of an especially interesting corner of the Black Mountain. Kilns, quarries and gorges await. Sorry no dogs. Length, Grade & Ascent: 3m/5km, Moderate, TBC Meet: 'Lookout' car park below Herbert's Quarry off A4069 (SN 730192). Leaders: Dr Tony Ramsay (Cardiff University) & Dr Michael Isaac (Swansea University). Bring a packed lunch. Some rough ground. More info: Please ring 01874 623366 to let us know you're coming. Friday 4 June By Breath and By Foot 9:30-13:30. Free entry. Guided Walk. In conjunction with Academi, the Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency and Society for Authors website link Join poet Ric Hool on a walk in the stunning landscape that inspires his work. In this new and exciting collaboration Ric will discuss walking as an inroad into writing by talking about his own work and that of Rebecca Solnitt, Gary Snyder and others. He will be reading extracts at various points in the walk and will also be introducing the influences of breathing and musicality of step on various surfaces. This walk will give participants a fascinating insight into how writing can connect with a `spirit' or `sense' of place and the psychological and geographical impact of the landscape on the human experience. Ric Hool is the author of 5 collections of poetry. Booking essential. Length, Grade & Ascent: 5.5m / 8.6km, Energetic, TBC. Meet: Foot of Hay Bluff - car park near stone circle.(SO 239373). Sorry no dogs. Leaders: National Park Wardens, Howard Morgan and Nick Jones Please phone us on 01874 623366 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience.

Friday 4 June A Sacred Mountain: the Bronze Age cairns of Mynydd-y-Glog 10:00-17:00. Free entry. Geopark Festival Guided Walk. Geopark Event. Join the Brecon Beacons Park Society for a walk over the gritstone moorland of Mynydd-y-glog - home to one of the most impressive groups of cairns in the Brecon Beacons. This walk, inthe company of archaeologist Edith Evans, will visit some of the best-preserved and look at the way in which prehistoric people used the landscape. Some rough ground. Length, Grade & Ascent: 5m/8km, Moderate, 200m Meet: Lay-by north of Penderyn Welsh Whisky Distillery (SN 951084). Leader: Soo Turnbull (BBPS), Edith Evans (Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust), Alan Bowring (Geo-guide) For more information, please ring ring Dilys Harlow on 01454 775731 Saturday 5 June Penderyn Welsh Whisky 11:00-15:00. Geopark Festival Talk & Walk. Geopark Event. Take a tour of the World's smallest distillery and see how groundwater from the hills and the wash from Brains brewery are used in a unique distillation process to make the first commercial whisky produced in Wales since the 19th Century. Experience the taste of exceptional single malt whiskys. The visit to the distillery will be followed by a short linear 2.5 mile walk along the northern edge of Moel Penderyn to view the landscape and its geology and to see how rainwater becomes the groundwater that is so important in the production of the world class Penderyn Whisky. For more information, please phone 01685 810650. No dogs please. Length & Grade: 2.5m/4km, Easy Meet: Penderyn Welsh Whisky Distillery (SN 951083). Leaders: Walk - Dr Tony Ramsay (Cardiff University), Talk - Keith Tench (PWW) Saturday 5 June Living Lakeside 14:00-16:00. Free entry. Family Friendly Guided Walk for Wales Biodiversity Week. Join the Brecknock Moth Group on an easy 1.5 mile stroll around the fields, ditches and hedgerows around Llangors Lake to see moths, butterflies, dragonflies, birds and a whole host of other wildlife - please bring your wellies! No dogs please. Length & Grade: 1.5 m/2.5 km, Easy Meet: Lakeside Cafe, Llangorse Lake (SO 129 274). Leader: Norman Lowe - Brecknock Moth Group and National Park Biodiversity Officer, Gareth Ellis. Saturday 5 June In the Footsteps of Wallace In June 1846, Alfred Russel Wallace and his brother decided to walk from Neath to the Brecon Beacons. They collected beetles and slept rough because Wallace was teaching himself to be a field naturalist, and planning a journey to the Amazon. Later whilst working in the Malay archipelago, Wallace hit upon the concept of natural selection. His letter to Darwin provoked the latter to publish 'On the Origin of Species'. The following two walks will follow their footsteps but the beetles are optional and we will not sleep out in Porth yr Ogof! Saturday 5 June In the Footsteps of Wallace (1) 09:30-17:30. Free entry. Geopark Festival Guided Walk. Geopark Event. Join Brecon Beacons Park Society tracing a foray from Neath into the hills by the great evolutionary biologist, Alfred Russel Wallace over 150 years ago. Booking is essential. There will be a small charge for the minibus. Day 1: Aberdulais to Ystradfellte via Ystradgynlais Length, Grade & Ascent: 14m/22km, Energetic, Ascent TBC. Meet: Ystradfellte village car park (SN 929134) for minibus transfer to start of walk at Aberdulais Leaders: Dilys Harlow (Brecon Beacons Park Society) For more information, please ring ring Dilys Harlow on 01454 775731 Sunday 6 June In the Footsteps of Wallace (2) 09:30-17:30. Free entry. Geopark Festival Guided Walk Join Brecon Beacons Park Society tracing a foray from Neath into the hills by the great evolutionary biologist, Alfred Russel Wallace over 150 years ago. Day 2: Ystradfellte to Cwm Llwch via Fan Fawr, Pen y Fan and the source of the Taf Fechan. Length, Grade & Ascent: 13m/20km, Strenuous, 950m Meet: meet at Nant Cwm Llwch (SO 006244) for minibus transfer to start of walk at Ystradfellte Leaders: Dilys Harlow (Brecon Beacons Park Society) For more information, please ring ring Dilys Harlow on 01454 775731 Sunday 6 June Walk, Talk and Tea 14:00-15:30. £2.50. Geopark Festival Family Friendly Guided Walk. Geopark Event. A short, easy circular walk (about 1.5 hours) including, a mysterious spiritual centre, an industrial site with wonderful views of the National Parks highest peaks, a final resting place, preparing for war, an unsolved mystery and a little known wonder. Followed by a delicious Cream Tea at the Visitor Centre Tea Rooms. Length, Grade: 1.5m/2.5km, Easy Meet: NPVC (SN 977262). Parking charges apply. (977262) Leader: National Park Volunteer, Peter Brock and National Park Rights of Way Assistant, Avril Barnes. Please phone us on 01874 623366 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience Sunday 6 June Berthlwyd Farm 14:00-17:00. £5 per person. A Geopark Festival Field Studies Trip A close look at the geology, botany and zoology of the area with experts from Swansea University Department of Adult Continuing Education (DACE). The farm is owned by the National trust and is a remnant of the farming system once common in the area, with much unimproved land with hay meadows, rough grazing (mainly for sheep) and marshy grasslands. There is an ash/lime woodland Special Area of Conservation. The farm buildings are excellent examples of vernacular architecture. Participants are strongly advised to wear boots or stout walking shoes. Waterproofs are advisable. Booking essential on 01792 602211. Sorry no dogs. Length: c2.5m/c4km, Easy Meet: At the farm (SN 913133) Leaders: Drs Michael Isaac, Geraint Owen & Charles Hipkin Sunday 6 June Wildlife on Your Doorstep 14:00-16:30 Family Friendly Guided Walk for Wales Biodiversity Week. Geopark Event. Come and explore the wildlife of Brecon on this gentle 2 mile wander around town. Discover the wide variety of species that have made their home moments from the hustle and bustle of busy streets on this fun and fascinating town safari! Length, Grade & Ascent: 2m/3.2km, Easy Meet: Canal Basin, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. Small charge for parking. Leader: National Park Biodiversity Officer, Gareth Ellis.

Monday 7 June Hunting Dragons and Dainty Damsels 18.00-19.30. Free entry. Family Friendly Guided Walk for Wales Biodiversity Week. Geopark Event. Mynydd Illtud Common is home to more than a dozen species of dragon - and damselflies. Join us for an easy stroll around the common to hunt for hawkers, darters and chasers and learn more about these ancient insects. Their ancestors were flying around South Wales when the coal formed! Length & Grade: 1.5m / 2.5km, Easy. Meet: NPVC car park, by cattle grid (SN 978263). Car parking charges apply. Leader: National Park Biodiversity Officer, Gareth Ellis. Please phone us on 01874 623366 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience. Tuesday 8 June A Wild and Wooded Valley 13.30-16:00. Donations greatly appreciated. These will go towards funding NT work in Mid & SE Wales. Guided Walk for Wales Biodiversity Week. Geopark Event. Provided by the National Trust Discover the hidden treasures of the stunning Upper Tarell Valley, set between the Central Beacons and Fforest Fawr. Join the National Trust wardens on this delightful circular walk though ancient woodland, stroll along the Tarell river and its many feeder streams and see a myriad of plants and animals that inhabit this remote and unspoilt landscape. With two farms and two woodlands, owned and managed by the National Trust, the area is a haven for wildlife and the perfect setting for this fascinating walk. Refreshments and cake await at the end of the walk. No dogs please. Length, Grade and Ascent: 3.5 miles / 5.5 kms, Moderate, 50-100m Meet: Meet at National Trust Basecamp, Dan y Gyrn, Libanus, Brecon, Powys, LD3 8NF. Parking available in yard. Turn off A470 opposite the turning to Defynnog (A4215). Dan-y-Gyrn is another two miles on (at the cottages go straight on, following the `No Through Road' sign). Do not turn into the farm yard at Blaenglyn Farm but carry on for a further 20 yards and bear right down the track into the yard of Dan-y-Gyrn (SO 977 228). Leader: National Trust Warden (Estate and Conservation Management) Amie Angell and Head Warden Joe Daggett. Please phone us on 01874 623366 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience. Wednesday 9 June Woodland and a Waterfall: a walk through the beechwoods of Cwm Clydach National Nature Reserve 18:30-20:30. Free entry. Guided Walk for Wales Biodiversity Week. Provided by Countryside Council for Wales. Enjoy a walk through one of the largest stands of native beech woodland to survive in south east Wales. Situated in a deep limestone gorge with tumbling waterfalls and interspersed with open farmland, this special environment supports a number of rare plants, diverse fungi and moss species, and a variety of birds and butterflies. Come along and see why this area has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and learn about the management of this rich and varied habitat. Bring refreshments if required. Length, Grade and Ascent: 3miles/5km, Moderate, 50m. Meet: Clydach picnic site, just south of the A465 on the road to Clydach South between Abergavenny and Brynmawr (SO 230134). Leader: CCW Regional Reserve Manager, Richard Preece Please phone us on 01874 623366 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience. Thursday 10 June Meadow Jewels and Marsh Treasures 13.30-16:00. Donations greatly appreciated. These will go towards funding NT work in Mid & SE Wales. Family Friendly Guided Walk for Wales Biodiversity Week. Geopark Event. Provided by the National Trust. Come and join National Trust Wardens for a fascinating and fun exploration of Berthlwyd Farm. Wander through stunning flower-filled hay meadows (some of the most important that the National Trust has in its care), meander through marshland and amble through woodland and heath. The farm boasts a wealth of complex and rich habitats, as well as important vernacular buildings and is the result of five generations of family-led farm enterprise coupled with a passion for conservation. Complimentary refreshments and cake await at the end of this lovely walk. Suitable for families, although not suitable for pushchairs. Length, Grade & Ascent: 1.5 miles/2 kms, Easy, 50-100m Meet: National Trust Berthlwyd Farm, Ystradfellte (SO 903133). From Pontneddfechan follow signs to Ystradfellte. After approx 2-3 miles, take L turning signed “Nedd Valley”. The farm is approx 1 mile along this lane, immediately adjacent to the road. Parking available on and adjacent to the farm. Leader: National Trust Head Warden Joe Daggett and Warden (Estate and Conservation Management) Amie Angell. Please phone us on 01874 623366 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience. Friday 11 June Wet Flushes and Wildflowers: a stroll through the fields of Cwm Cadlan National Nature Reserve 18.30-20.00. Free entry. Guided Family Friendly Walk for Wales Biodiversity Week. Provided by Countryside Council for Wales. Come and explore the largest stretch of fen meadows in Wales, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Pastures and marshy grassland form a species-rich environment; home to an extraordinary variety of wildflowers and vegetation. Encounter limestone flushes luxuriously carpeted with mosses and liverworts, discover flower-filled meadows and learn about the diverse wildlife that this remarkable habitat supports on this lovely circular walk. Wellies advised. Family friendly but unsuitable for pushchairs. No dogs please (cattle on site). Bring refreshments if required. Length, Grade and Ascent: 2miles / 3km, Easy, 20m. Meet: Reserve entrance 0.75m (1.2km) down Cwm Cadlan Road from Penderyn, near Hirwaun (SN 954098). Leader: CCW Reserves Manager Jon Wohlgemuth Saturday 12 June Earth Walk around Pwll y Wrach Nature Reserve. 10.30-12:30. Free entry. Family Friendly Guided Walk for Wales Biodiversity Week Provided by Brecknock Wildlife Trust Experience a light refreshing touch of the natural world using all your senses on this gentle circular walk with a difference along the banks of the River Ennig through ancient woodland to a tumbling waterfall. Length, Grade and Ascent: 1.5 miles/2 kms, Easy, 20m Meet: Pwll y Wrach Nature Reserve car park, on Hospital Road, a mile south east out of Talgarth. Parking is quite limited but there is more space to park back down the lane towards Talgarth or in Talgarth itself. 1 mile walk up to the nature reserve (SO 161 328). Leader: Phil Sutton, BWT Reserves Officer and National Park Warden, Howard Morgan Please phone 01874 625708 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience Sunday 13 June Llanthony Court Farm 10:30-6:00 (last entry 15:00). Free entry. An Open Farm Sunday Event and a Wales Biodiversity Week Event. Walk amongst calves, lambs, and foals in the spectacular landscape that surrounds the ruins of Llanthony Priory, nestled deep within the tranquil Llanthony Valley. Celebrating Open Farm Sunday, this event will give a fascinating insight into how Court Farm combines traditional hill farming with landscape management, biodiversity, and the visiting public. Meet the farmer and his family and take a tour of the farm, which also offers pony trekking, accommodation, and sells its own beef and lamb. Discuss the farm's future opportunities for balancing food production, carbon storage, alternative energy production and water conservation and meet National Park staff who will talk about their work with farmers in the area and the important contribution that hill farming makes towards the management of this special landscape. Finish your visit with a delicious, home-reared lamb or beef burger on this fun and informative day out for all the family! Leaders: Colin Passmore, National Park Warden Clive Williams and National Park BiodiversityOfficer, Gareth Ellis. For further information, please see website link Meet: Llanthony Priory (SO 288278).

Saturday 19 June The Sugar Loaf Summit and Ancient Oaks 10.00-16.00. Free entry. Guided Walk A circular walk taking in the summit of the Sugar Loaf via St. Mary's Vale and Mynydd Pen-y-fal, returning through the ancient oaks of Deri Wood. Length, Grade & Ascent: 11m / 17km, Energetic, 500m. Meet: Abergavenny TIC (SO 301140). Car parking charges apply. Accessible by bus & train. Leaders: National Park Volunteers, Ros Grant & Russell Mills Please phone us on 01874 623366 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience. Sunday 20 June Birds of the Blorenge 10:30-14:00. Free entry. Guided Walk. A circular walk around Blorenge Mountain identifying resident and visiting birds and looking at the importance of nature conservation in this SSSI moorland habitat. No dogs please. Length, Grade & Ascent: 6.5m / 10.5km, Moderate, 90m. Meet: Keepers Pond car park (Pen-ffordd goch Pond) off the B4246 (SO 254 107). No charge. Leaders: National Park Warden, Steve Smith & Blaenavon WHS Warden, Alvin Nicolas Please phone us on 01874 623366 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience. Sunday 20 June Walk, Talk and Tea 14:00-15:30. £2.50. Family Friendly Guided Walk. Geopark Event. A short, easy circular walk (about 1.5 hours) including, a mysterious spiritual centre, an industrial site with wonderful views of the National Parks highest peaks, a final resting place, preparing for war, an unsolved mystery and a little known wonder. Followed by a delicious Cream Tea at the Visitor Centre Tea Rooms. Length, Grade: 1.5m/2.5km, Easy Meet: NPVC (SN 977262). Parking charges apply. Leader: National Park Volunteer, Peter Brock and National Park Rights of Way Assistant, Avril Barnes. Please phone us on 01874 623366 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience Sunday 20 June Cwar yr Ystrad 14:00-17:00. £5 per person. Booking essential on 01792 602211. Field Studies Trip. Join experts from Swansea University Department of Adult Continuing Education (DACE) on this visit to a disused limestone quarry Site of Special Scientific Interest. There is a forestry plantation with old coppice alder carr wet woodland and old field systems. We will see old lime kilns, sink and swallow holes and the Chartrists' cave. Nearby is Gwaun Nant Ddu raided bog. Participants are strongly advised to wear boots or stout walking shoes. Waterproofs are advisable. Sorry no dogs. Length, grade: tbc, Moderate Meet: near the quarry (SO 101 151), accessed by a road (usable by cars) from Trefil

Friday 25 June Waking the Cat 10:00-17:00. Free event. Guided Walk (repeated 6 August). Join us for a walk along the rocky sandstone ridge of the Cat's Back and experience some truly spectacular views! Start at the Neolithic stone circle and ascend for some stunning viewpoints over sweeping valleys in this remote part of the English-Welsh border. Learn about the dramatic geological features of the landscape and the history of the Offa's Dyke path and see wild mountain ponies grazing on the hills. Escape for a day on this wonderful walk that will make you feel on top of the world. Length, Grade & Ascent: 10.5m / 16.5km, Strenuous, 800m. Meet: the stone circle at Hay Bluff. No charge. (SO 240 373) Leaders: National Park Volunteers, Wayne Qualter & Russell Mills Please come suitably equipped for variable weather conditions. Please phone us on 01874 623366 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience. Saturday 26 June Hay Food Festival Family Friendly Event A great day out for the family with loads of local food stalls. Buttermarket Hall, Hay on Wye. For more details call Andrew Powell on 01874 624979 Saturday 26 June Over the Hill to a Crooked Church 10:00-15:30. Free entry. Guided Walk Join us for a walk over Hatterrall Hill, set amongst the dramatic scenery of Hay Bluff and the beautiful Vale of Ewyas. Forming part of the Black Mountains eastern ridge, this area of common land straddles the Welsh-English border and drops towards the picturesque Golden Valley. Commoners graze sheep, ponies and cattle and the area is noted for a number of archaeological sites. Visit the intriguing crooked church of Cwmyoy, learn how the `Valley of the Yolk' got its name, and hear the folk tales that link this captivating church to the story of the crucifixion. Please note that the beginning of this walk involves a significant uphill climb. No dogs please. Length, Grade & Ascent: 11m/17.5km, Energetic, 450m. Meet: Pandy Inn on A465 (SO 335226). Charge of £1.00 for parking. Leaders: National Park Volunteers, Elizabeth Lloyd and Paul Derrick Please phone us on 01874 623366 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience. Sunday 27 June Hay Arts and Craft Market Family Friendly Event A wonderful opportunity to find a locally crafted gift or reminder of your visit. Buttermarket Hall, Hay on Wye. For more details call Andrew Powell on 01874 624979. Sunday 27 June Walk, Talk and Tea 14:00-15:30. £2.50 Family Friendly Guided Walk. Geopark Event. A short, easy circular walk (about 1.5 hours) including, a mysterious spiritual centre, an industrial site with wonderful views of the National Parks highest peaks, a final resting place, preparing for war, an unsolved mystery and a little known wonder. Followed by a delicious Cream Tea at the Visitor Centre Tea Rooms. Length, Grade: 1.5m/2.5km, Easy Meet: NPVC (SN 977262). Parking charges apply. Leader: National Park Volunteer, Peter Brock and National Park Rights of Way Assistant, Avril Barnes. Please phone us on 01874 623366 for more details and to let us know you are coming to help us give you a safe and enjoyable experience

Organised by the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority