Day 1
Over the bridge into Wales we went, and our first stop was Tredegar House. National Trust sites usually have some sort of family-friendly activity running over the summer, and this time it was a surprise mini-beach right by the stables. Buckets, spades, and sand in the middle of a grand estate — it was a fun way to break up the journey before heading further into the Brecon Beacons.
Driving deeper into the Brecon’s felt like stepping into a postcard. Every road seemed to have a pull-in spot with breathtaking views, and of course, the occasional sheep casually wandering across the tarmac like they owned the place.
We reached Bishop Meadow Holiday Park by late afternoon and were glad to be shown to a quiet pitch tucked into a sheltered corner — very welcome with the forecasted windy night ahead. We’re starting to get the hang of putting up our drive-away awning, so camp was up in no time.
Bishop Meadow itself turned out to be a lovely site:
- Clean and regularly maintained toilets/showers
- Friendly staff
- A small (but slightly chilly at 24°C!) outdoor pool
- A simple kids’ play area, enough for one last burst of energy before bedtime
It was peaceful too, with more seasonal pitches than touring ones, which gave it a settled feel.
Day 2
Our first morning in Brecon started grey, wet, and just a bit miserable. Determined not to let the weather win, we ventured into Brecon town on a mission for levelling blocks and lunch. The levelling blocks proved elusive, but we did find a large supermarket (not quite the same level of excitement).
Rather than eat sandwiches in a car park, we decided to keep driving — and it paid off. We stumbled across a quiet spot by a reservoir, just as the rain eased off. Sometimes the unplanned stops are the best ones.
Day 3
This was the big one — the Four Waterfalls Walk, the main reason I dragged the family to Wales. At the car park, we were warned (twice!) that the route might be “a bit much” for little legs. We politely ignored the first warning, but took the second bit of advice and opted for a slightly shorter loop that still included the highlights.
And what highlights they were. The most impressive waterfall, Sgwd yr Eira, involved a steep 188-step descent — and, of course, the same climb back up. Totally worth it. The path ran behind the waterfall itself, a narrow rocky walkway where you could feel the spray and the power of the water crashing down in front of you.
Our little girl managed the whole four-mile trek without complaint — an achievement in itself! It left us wondering whether she might even be ready for Pen-y-Fan next time.
Day 4
After the previous day’s adventure, we planned something a little more relaxed: a last-minute booking (at about 11 pm the night before!) for the Brecon Mountain Railway. Chugging through the hills by steam train was the perfect way to soak in the scenery without any steep climbs involved.
On the way back we had some time to spare, so we pulled over at yet another reservoir. When the Brecon Beacons decide to show you some sunshine, everywhere looks like a beauty spot — no effort required.
Day 5
Home time — but not before one final treat. We stopped at the brilliantly named Alpaca My Boots for an alpaca trek. Ettie and Kerry were paired with a fluffy companion called Pedro, and took him for a walk up to a nearby peak. According to reports, Pedro was a complete gentleman — no pulling, just steady strolling — and was rewarded with snacks back at the farm.
A quirky, memorable end to the trip before heading back across the bridge.
