About the area
On
'The Cambrian Way', Wales longest, long distance footpath and 'The Beacons
Way'
 The
Brecon Beacons National Park (519 square miles with 1250 miles of public paths) offers outstanding walking, riding,
cycling, water sports, air sports, golf and much more - all within easy traveling
distance and all surrounded by some of the best scenery in the
country. Within half an hour there are sites of special scientific interest,
ancient monuments and industrial heritage.
Crickhowell, a small thriving picturesque market town is just a short walk away (5
minutes Crickhowell Bridge and 10 minutes Crickhowell town centre), with
its numerous pubs and restaurants, a variety of quality individual shops, excellent
butchers, bakers, delicatessen and supermarket.
On
the banks of the River Usk, Crickhowell nestles between the rugged Brecon
Beacons and wooded valleys of the Black Mountains. All
around is the splendour of the Brecon Beacons National Park
".... a landscape dominated by wilderness, natural variety and traditional
character," explore the unspoiled hillsides or search out secret valleys.
Table Mountain - The
bilingual signs as you enter the beautiful town of Crickhowell states the Welsh
name of Grug Hywel, meaning Hywel's Rock. This is the Table Mountain overlooking
the town unmistakable with its flat summit (1,486 ft.), believed to have been
where the Welsh ruler Hywel Dda held his fortress.
 Although
this is disputed it was certainly a camp of a Welsh Chieftain called Hywel, and
thought to have been Hywel Dda the Welsh ruler.
As a Welsh border town the name changed
from the Welsh name Grug Hywel to Crickhowell and is favoured today as
Crickhowell because of the absence of Welsh-speaking people.
Beyond the Table Mountain lies the peak
of Pen Cerrig-Calch which is 2,300 feet.
The
River Usk looking North towards Brecon, offers opportunities for Trout and
Salmon fishing, canoeing, and stunning level walks along the unspoilt banks,
Herons and Kingfishers are regularly seen on the waters edge and Buzzards and
Red Kite can be seen in the sky above.
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