Bannau Brycheiniog Brecon Beacons Hay on Wye Tour

9 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

We only deliver small group tours and your guide is a long-standing, highly regarded, fully qualified Mountain Leader and Tourist Guide for Wales who will guide you through each attraction and share his knowledge on Welsh history on the drive along the way.

This day tour from Cardiff offers a perfect blend of Welsh culture, scenery, and history. Begin at the National Museum Cardiff, then head north to the Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre for breathtaking mountain views. Continue to the charming book town of Hay-on-Wye, where you can browse independent shops and enjoy lunch before following the dramatic Gospel Pass through the Black Mountains—one of Wales’s most scenic drives. Discover the peaceful ruins of Llanthony Priory, then explore the medieval White Castle, surrounded by rolling farmland. End the day in Blaenavon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the Ironworks and Big Pit National Coal Museum reveal the powerful story of Wales’s industrial past.

What's Included

WiFi on board
Air-conditioned vehicle
Coffee and/or Tea
Snacks
Lunch
Meals
Gratuities
Optional entry to Blaenavon Ironworks

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
National Museum Cardiff

Please arrive 10 minutes early for a prompt departure, we meet on the steps at the front entrance of the museum. Look for an electric minivan with Wales Outdoors logo on the back.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 9 hours (approximately)
  • 1

    The Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre, near Libanus in South Wales, is the perfect starting point for exploring one of Britain’s most beautiful and wild landscapes. Set against sweeping views of Pen y Fan—the park’s highest peak—the centre offers exhibits about the area’s history, wildlife, and legends. Visitors can relax with tea and homemade cakes in the café and soak up panoramic vistas that capture the heart of Wales. It’s an ideal stop for anyone wanting to experience authentic Welsh countryside.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2

    Hay-on-Wye, nestled on the edge of the Brecon Beacons in Wales, is a charming market town famous as the “Town of Books.” Its narrow lanes are lined with over 30 quirky independent bookshops, antique stores, and cozy cafés—perfect for wandering and browsing. Overlooked by a medieval castle and surrounded by lush countryside, Hay-on-Wye blends literary culture with small-town charm. Here you will be able to stroll at your leisure and have some lunch.

    1 hour 30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 3

    Scenic drive taking in Hay Bluff and Gospel Pass on a beautiful mountain road, the landscape used in the opening scenes of American Werewolf in London film. Hay Bluff and Gospel Pass offer one of the most breathtaking drives in Wales, with sweeping mountain scenery and panoramic views that stretch across the English border. As the highest road pass in Wales, Gospel Pass winds through open moorland dotted with wild ponies and sheep, descending from the dramatic slopes of Hay Bluff. On a clear day, the vistas are spectacular—rolling green hills, deep valleys, and a true sense of wild Welsh beauty. It’s an unforgettable scenic route.

    1 hour Admission ticket free
  • 4

    Tucked deep in the secluded Vale of Ewyas in the Black Mountains, is one of Wales’s most atmospheric historic sites. The hauntingly beautiful ruins of this 12th-century Augustinian priory rise dramatically against a backdrop of green hills and grazing sheep, offering a glimpse into monastic life nearly a thousand years ago. Visitors can wander among the arches and cloisters and take stunning photos. It’s a peaceful, evocative stop that captures the timeless spirit of rural Wales.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5

    White Castle, near Abergavenny in South Wales, is a wonderfully preserved Norman fortress that feels like a hidden gem in the countryside. Surrounded by a deep, grassy moat and rolling farmland, the castle’s thick stone walls and towers invite exploration and great photo opportunities. Visitors can climb the ramparts for sweeping views of the Monnow Valley and imagine the centuries of history that unfolded here. Peaceful, uncrowded, and atmospheric, White Castle offers an authentic taste of medieval Wales.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 6

    Blaenavon Ironworks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in South Wales, offers a fascinating glimpse into the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Set amid striking stone furnaces and workers’ cottages, the site vividly brings to life the 19th-century ironmaking that helped shape modern industry. Visitors can step inside the preserved ironworks, explore the homes of the ironworkers, and enjoy interactive displays that make history come alive. You can experience one of Wales’s most important historic landmarks and feel the powerful story of innovation and hard work that changed the world. Big Pit National Coal Museum, in Blaenavon, South Wales, is an award-winning museum set in a real former coal mine.

    1 hour 30 minutes Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Wales Outdoors - Cardiff

Tags

Day Trips
Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Culture
Car Tours
Small Group
Additional fees
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

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