On our third glorious day in Wales we trekked along to the Brecon Beacons, which is a national park with a mountain range called the Black Mountains. Along the way we stopped at
Dryslwyn Castle - which is a ruined castle at the top of a hill overlooking a massive valley, attesting to the defensive strength that the castle must have had in the past. What made this castle unique is that it was in a remote location, and required a hike up a hill to reach it, so that meant we had the castle all to ourselves.
The main castle that I longed to see was
Carreg Cennan. It was on the edge of the Brecon Beacons and was also set atop a cliff.
It was a blustery day when we hiked up the side of the hill, but we stopped in time to rent a torch (i.e. flashlight) to explore a unique part of the castle. This unique part was a dark, natural cave that descended into complete darkness beneath the castle. It was believed that when the castle was under siege, the family would hide down in the caves, and sometimes escape altogether. It was quite slippery and treacherous but thats what made it all the more exciting!
The castle is located above a farm, so after Syd chased a little lamb around the pasture we stopped at the base of the hill where a sweet teashop was located. We had tea and lunch here on wood tables resting on top of steel milk cans. We took a picture of the place because we thought it was most fascinating. The view overlooking the pastures was pretty fantastic too.
By this point in the trip I was 'hostelled-out', so I was quite glad that we had booked at a hotel in Brecon. But not just any hotel -
Brecon Castle! 
It really is just ruins of a castle, with modern extensions forming the hotel. The interesting history behind this castle is that the Brecon townspeople destroyed the castle themselves so that their town would not fall prey to seige warfare. We stayed in a loft style room in what used to be the original stables of the castle. I enjoyed a hot hot shower while Syd explored the neighbouring medieval cathedral in town and then we both experienced a fabulous Welsh dinner and a comfortable sleep. ;o)
On our third glorious day in Wales we trekked along to the Brecon Beacons, which is a national park with a mountain range called the Black Mountains. Along the way we stopped at Dryslwyn Castle - which is a ruined castle at the top of a hill overlooking a massive valley, attesting to the defensive strength that the castle must have had in the past. What made this castle unique is that it was in a remote location, and required a hike up a hill to reach it, so that meant we had the castle all to ourselves.
The main castle that I longed to see was Carreg Cennan. It was on the edge of the Brecon Beacons and was also set atop a cliff. 
It was a blustery day when we hiked up the side of the hill, but we stopped in time to rent a torch (i.e. flashlight) to explore a unique part of the castle. This unique part was a dark, natural cave that descended into complete darkness beneath the castle. It was believed that when the castle was under siege, the family would hide down in the caves, and sometimes escape altogether. It was quite slippery and treacherous but thats what made it all the more exciting!
The castle is located above a farm, so after Syd chased a little lamb around the pasture we stopped at the base of the hill where a sweet teashop was located. We had tea and lunch here on wood tables resting on top of steel milk cans. We took a picture of the place because we thought it was most fascinating. The view overlooking the pastures was pretty fantastic too.
By this point in the trip I was 'hostelled-out', so I was quite glad that we had booked at a hotel in Brecon. But not just any hotel - Brecon Castle! 
It really is just ruins of a castle, with modern extensions forming the hotel. The interesting history behind this castle is that the Brecon townspeople destroyed the castle themselves so that their town would not fall prey to seige warfare. We stayed in a loft style room in what used to be the original stables of the castle. I enjoyed a hot hot shower while Syd explored the neighbouring medieval cathedral in town and then we both experienced a fabulous Welsh dinner and a comfortable sleep. ;o)
1 comment:
Syd the sillouette picture of you 2 atop the castle Brecon is absolutely fabulous! Penny
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