BRECON BECKONS

Charming villages and glorious countryside await Andria Massey on a visit to Brecon, in Wales

- Andria Massey

After the long pause for winter, it was at last time to get on the road again. My housemate, Pearl, and I didn’t want to go too far on this trip, so we opted for the Brecon Beacons (now officially renamed Bannau Brycheiniog National Park), which are a comparatively easy journey from our home in North Wales.

We searched for a campsite fulfilling our criteria of being a small place with all of the facilities we require, with easy access to public transport; we prefer to set up our motorhome and avoid driving during our stay, to save a bit of fuel and cash.

We soon came up with an absolute gem of a site, Pencelli Castle Caravan & Camping Park, family run and lying in the quiet area of Powys, with stunning views and easy walks just four miles from Brecon. With no heavy lifting needed to dispose of chemical waste, and really spotless facilities, the site also has a warm drying room and fridge/freezers for guests’ use.

As well as a bus service between Brecon and Abergavenny, Pencelli Castle is just a short walk to access the well-maintained towpaths of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal.

I have already voted for the site in Practical Motorhome’s 2024 Top 100 Sites survey, because it’s one of the best we have ever stayed on.

At this truly peaceful place, the only notable sounds during our stay were birdsong, and the bleating of sheep and lambs.

Gateway to Wales

We arrived at the site in the mid-afternoon and because it was a very pleasant day, we decided to explore the canal towpath.