Activities Archives - Aberyscir Coach House

Dinefwr

September 12, 2019 By Valerie Davies

Dinefwr Estate

The National Trust property of Dinefwr consists of several elements, Newton House, Dinefwr Park and Dinefwr Castle. It sits on the Western edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Newton House

The original house was built in 1660 and whilst there are traces of this building it was replaced by a Gothic style building in 1850 complete with stone clading and 4 magnificent towers. The house is seen clearly from the sweeping driveway that makes it’s way through rolling parkland. The main staircase is one of the main features that survived the Gothic make over.

The house name derives from the ‘New Towne’ the original medieval settlement. The town was long gone when the descendents of Lord Rhys, who ruled from Dinefwr Castle, decided to name their house in its memory.

When the house was given to the National Trust there was little left of the original contents. It was decided to fill the building with items from the 1920’s and allow the visitors to touch and sit for a more realistic experience.

Gardens

The formal gardens were transformed in the mid 1700s by George and his wife Cecil. They based their more natural looking landscape on Lancelot Capability Brown. He indeed visited and made some suggestions but basically gave it his approval.

Medieval Deer Park

The estate covers some 800 acres and is both a SSSI and a NNR.

The fallow deer graze the medieval parkland surrounded by ancient Oaks much like they would have done for the last 1000 years.

In the meadow you will see the famous White Park Cattle. There are records of them being in the park since 920. Sadly only about 1000 breeding females are left in the world and this herd is one of the largest.

Dinefwr Castle

Dinefwr Castle sits on a hilltop above the Tywi Valley. Occupied by Lord Rhys ruler of the ancient south Wales kingdom of Deheubarth. Surprisingly peaceful, his reign saw the growth in Welsh culture, poetry and music. After his death conflict resumed only to end with the English taking control in 1287.

The estate offers something for everyone. The cafe and shop are next to a sunny courtyard. You can follow the walking trail around the estate or take part in a Badger watch. The roof top tour is not to be missed for the amazing views. A really good day out.

Aberyscir Coach House – Brecon Beacons Guide

Brecon Jazz Festival

September 2, 2019 By Valerie Davies

Brecon Jazz Festival 2019

This year’s Brecon Jazz Festival in Brecon took place on August 9-11th. The US sax don Scott Hamilton with his quartet and Barbara Dennerlein and her trio opened proceedings.

Every year for the last 36 years there has been a Brecon Jazz Weekend in August. It has many changes over the years and a few low points where all seemed likely to end but here it is again. Many will remember the old stroller days where many events took place outside. Your ticket allowed you to walk from venue to venue and if there was room in you went.

That era came to an end with all the events moving into ticketed venues and the streets no longer being closed.

Today things are going back to the old style with many street events running alonside the venues. The Fringe is also ging strong in the pubs and shops around the town.

This year for the first time in many years there was a FRAZZ parade. It is a chance to dress up and celebrate and everyone is welcome to join in. The theme for 2019 IS “Circus and the Elephant”. This year’s parade was a collaboration between local community groups, venues and individuals, and is a chance for everyone to get involved.

Brecon Jazz Fringe

The Brecon Jazz Fringe is an open-access event. This means gigs and events over the Fringe are organised and funded independently by local landlords, venue owners and individuals. It is an opportunity for local acts to reach a wider audience and local pubs and venues to join in the larger festival.

Aberyscir Coach House – Brecon Beacons Guide

Green Man Festival

August 19, 2019 By Valerie Davies

Green Man Festival

The Green Man Festival is an independent music and arts festival held annually in the Brecon Beacons since 2003. It is the largest contemporary music and arts festival in Wales. They received major event status by Welsh Government due to the festival’s positive impact and wealth creation.

The festival is held on the Glanusk Estate every August and runs for 3 days. It is not just a music festival. There are many other activities for people of all ages including a special arts and crafts area for 13-17 year olds. It includes stalls offering Japanese kumihimo braiding, tree ring printing and candle wax powered boats. The Settler’s Pass allows access from the Monday to enjoy the pre music activities especially for the children.

Accommodation

If you fancy camping without the hassle there is Hotel Bell Tents or Tangerine fields both with your accommodation already and waiting. Of cause you could choose to stay in the comfort of Aberyscir Coach House and take the short picturesque drive to the estate each day.

Final Act

The festival comes to a close at midnight on the Sunday with a firework display and the ceremonial burning of the Green Man. Every year they build a new more exciting Green Man to close the activities.

Aberyscir Coach House – Brecon Beacons guide

Craig Y Nos

July 30, 2019 By Valerie Davies

Craig Y Nos Coutry Park

Craig Y Nos Country Park was originally part of Craig Y Nos Castle, the home of Adelina Patti the internationally famous 19th Century opera singer. It is situated in a secluded part of the upper Swansea Valley surrounded by dramatic rock cliffs. The 40 acre Victorian garden has woodlands, meadows, rivers, lakes and lawns. The walks are lined with specimen trees.

The grounds were taken over by Brecon Beacons National Park and it is now a Registered Historic Park.

The current castle is believed to be on the same spot that was once occupied in the early medieval period by a local Welsh Prince.

The Castle is now a hotel specialising in weddings that take place in Adelina’s magnificent theatre.

Adelina Patti

Adelina Patti was born in 1843 to French-Italian parents. Her first singing engagement was at the age of 8 and her last performance was in 1914 aged 71. She was considered by composer Giuseppe Verdi to be one of the greatest singers to have ever lived. At the peak of her career she could demand a fee of $5,000 paid in gold per night. She had enormous stage presence with youthful good looks.

She fell in love with the Swansea valley and bought Craig Y Nos Castle. With her enormous wealth she set to and expanded the castle in the Victorian way. This included the private theatre emulating in miniture the theatre at Bayreuth.

Such was her standing that she built a station at the castle on the Neath and Brecon railway so that her guests could travel in style to listern to her performances at Craig Y Nos.

She may have been wealthy beyond imagination but never forgot her humble beginnings. The local hospital was totally funded by her donations.

After her death the castle was used as a TB hospital until 1986 when it was sold and converted into the hotel.

Aberyscir Coach house – Brecon Beacons Guide

Abercamlais House

July 17, 2019 By Valerie Davies

Abercamlais House and Penpont

There are many fine examples of grand houses in the Brecon Beacons. Two of these can be found on the Usk river just a short drive from the coach house. The Grade 1 houses date back to the middle ages and have been a very important part of the local history. Each house has taken a slightly different route to the ones you see today but both remain linked by family and history. If you get the chance I would recommend you visit one or both during your stay.

Abercamlais House

The family history started with Bernard de Neufmarché arriving with William the Conqueror and becoming the Lord of Brecon. He awarded Sir Thomas de Boulogne land in the upper Usk Valley. One of his descendants, Thomas Williams, who was Vicar of Llanspyddid inherited the medieval house in 1580. It is his family that have lived there ever since.

The original Medieval house has been altered extensively both in Georgian and Victorian times. There are beautiful grounds including a large walled garden, woodland and river walks.

The house is open at certain times of the year. You are taken on a guided walk of the grounds and some of the room in the house. This is usually done by the current owners who are devoting themselves to the restoration of the grounds.

Penpont

Penpont House was built in 1666 by another part of the family. It is literally next door. In 1992 the current owners decided to open the house to the public for the first time.

There is self catering accommodation, function rooms and camping. They also have a very good farm shop. Everything is being done organically and they are trying to be self sufficient adding a number of renewable energy and sustainable systems within the buildings.

Aberyscir Coach House – Brecon Beacons Guide