Attractions and Places To See around Crickhowell - Top 20

Crickhowell is a prime location for outdoor enthusiasts. You can explore numerous walking trails, including sections of the Beacons Way and the Usk Valley Walk. Hiking to summits like Blorenge summit or Pen Cerrig-calch summit offers rewarding views. The Llangattock Escarpment is popular for hiking and caving, while the River Usk provides scenic riverside paths and fishing opportunities. For more detailed routes, check out the hiking guide for Crickhowell.

Yes, Crickhowell boasts several historical sites. The ruins of Crickhowell Castle (Alisby's Castle) date back to the 12th century and offer insights into the Norman presence. The iconic 17th-century Crickhowell Bridge over the River Usk is known for its unique architecture. You can also visit the historic Market Hall, St. Edmund's Church, or take a short drive to Tretower Court and Castle, a well-preserved medieval complex.

For challenging hikes, consider the ascent to Pen Cerrig-calch summit, a remote peak offering spectacular views. Another option is the Pen y Gadair Fawr Summit Cairn, the second highest peak in the Black Mountains. The Clydach Gorge also offers steep-sided valleys with scrambling opportunities. You can find more challenging routes in the hiking guide for Crickhowell.

Crickhowell offers several options for families. Gentle riverside paths along the River Usk are suitable for leisurely walks. Exploring the ruins of Crickhowell Castle can be an engaging historical adventure. The nearby Brecon Beacons National Park provides numerous accessible trails, and the CRiC (Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre) often has local information and art exhibitions that can appeal to various ages.

Crickhowell is surrounded by stunning viewpoints. The Blorenge summit offers fine views over Abergavenny and the Usk Valley. From Pen Cerrig-calch summit, you can see the River Usk valley and Crickhowell. Mynydd Llangorse Summit provides glorious views on a clear day, as does Mynydd Troed Summit, especially towards Mynydd Llangorse.

Crickhowell is excellent for cycling, with routes catering to various levels. You can find road cycling routes that take you through Brecon, Talgarth, and Cwmdu, or more challenging loops around Talybont Reservoir. There are also gravel biking opportunities, such as routes around Talybont Reservoir and Llanelly Quarry. Explore detailed options in the road cycling guide and gravel biking guide for Crickhowell.

Absolutely. The Llangattock Escarpment is a dramatic limestone ridge known for its extensive underground cave systems, including the Eglwys Faen caves. The Craig y Cilau National Nature Reserve, a former limestone quarry, is one of Wales' most outstanding botanical sites, home to rare alpine plants and important bat roosts. You can also visit the Clydach Gorge for its caves, waterfalls, and the remains of the Clydach Ironworks.

Crickhowell offers a vibrant local culture. The town center features independent shops, art galleries, and a local market showcasing Welsh produce and crafts. The CRiC (Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre) hosts regularly changing art exhibitions. You can also experience local hospitality at The Bear Hotel, a historic coaching inn dating back to 1430. The town also hosts various cultural events throughout the year, such as the Crickhowell Walking Festival.

Yes, Crickhowell is situated at the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, which is an International Dark Sky Reserve. This designation means the area has low light pollution, making it an excellent location for stargazing and enjoying the night sky.

Table Mountain, also known as Crug Hywel, is a prominent flat-topped hill near Crickhowell. A hike to its summit offers rewarding views of the Usk Valley and the Brecon Beacons, and it also features an Iron Age hillfort. You can access it via various walking paths from Crickhowell, including a moderate 8 km loop that combines Table Mountain with Crickhowell Castle. Find more details in the hiking guide for Crickhowell.

Visitors particularly enjoy the breathtaking views from summits like Blorenge and Pen Cerrig-calch. The sense of escape and tranquility found on less-visited peaks is also highly valued. Many appreciate the historical intrigue of sites like Crickhowell Castle and the unique architecture of Crickhowell Bridge. The extensive network of walking and cycling trails, offering diverse experiences from gentle riverside strolls to challenging mountain ascents, is a major draw.