Activities Archives - Aberyscir Coach House

Brecon Beacons Dark Skies

June 30, 2019 By Valerie Davies

Brecon Beacons Dark Skies

The Brecon Beacons National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve. We are lucky to live in one of the darker areas.

Llangorse Lake Brecon Beacons — The Milky Way, Llangorse Lake, Brecon Beacons National Park, Dan Santillo

International Dark Sky Reserve

The Dark Sky Reserve status is a prestigious award given by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA). This is a United States based non-profit organization founded in 1988. The award is given to only a handful of destinations that can prove they have an outstanding quality of night sky. You must also pledge to reduce light pollution which the park has been doing over the past few years. A major contribution from our local councils is replacing all street lighting with LED downlighters.

Stargazing from Aberyscir Coach House

We can therefore offer our guests a truely dark skies experience. Even if you live in a semi urban area the amount of light polution is very high. In the Brecon Beacons you can see many of the night sky features with a naked eye such as the Milky Way. You can even see the space station passing overhead. If you use binoculars, either your own or those we provide, the Milky Way transforms from a milky white streak into a million little lights.

You are welcome to bring your own telescope and set it up in one of our fields or take it up onto our local common. Alternatively just sit in the swing seat and watch the stars.

Organised Star Gazing Events

There is an observatory at the Mountain Centre Libanus, a short 10 minute drive from us, where you can join a star gazing evening to see even more through their telescopes. You can find details of events on the Go Stargazing website. Many of these courses are run by Dark Skies Wales Training.

Aberyscir Coach House – Brecon Beacons Guide

Hay Festival

June 14, 2019 By Valerie Davies

The Hay Festival runs from the last bank holiday weekend in May for 10 days. Over the years it has hosted various big names from all walks of life. Even President Clinton appeared during his pension raising European tour. There have been important clerics, politicians, activists and Hollywood stars. However the core reason for its existence being writers still remains at the fore. They cover every topic in fiction and fact and there is bound to be something for everyone.

It has certainly grown over the years from a humble gathering of ladies in a caravan to the event of today greeting over 100,000 visitors to 6 main venues and numerous trade stands and the largest temporary bookshop. The Oxfam bookstall sells thousands of second hand and end of print new books covering every topic.

After the talks you can meet the author during a book signing session or indeed bump into some just wandering the walkways.

In addition there is a special childrens programme and area for them to ‘make and take’ a treasured memory.

There is a large food hall showcasing local producers and various other places for food and refreshments. The town is just a short shuttlebus ride from the site or easily walkable if you prefer.

As part of the Hay Festival charitable organisation there are school days. On the Thursday for primary children and Friday for secondary schools. All the schools have to do is get the children there and then the wide ranging talks are free to enter. It is quite a sight to see 1,500 young children eagerly waiting to hear a favourite author. Who says that reading real books is on the decline?

In the evening the site takes on a different atmosphere as concerts and comedians take to the stage. Many people return year after year as there will always be something new to hear.

Aberyscir Coach House – Brecon Beacons Guide

Glanusk National Garden Scheme

May 22, 2019 By Valerie Davies

National Garden Scheme

Glanusk Estate Garden Crickhowell takes part in the National Garden Scheme each year. You have a chance to visit gardens not normally open to the public. This happens in the latter part of May on a Sunday and is particularly beautiful at that time of year. The estate is probably better known for its Green Man Festival that takes part in August in the meadows below the house. This event is far more low key and quiet!

These gardens have magnificent displays of Rhododendrons and Azaleas plus many more. Every year there is something new to see. The naturally fed series of pools are normally full of tadpoles.

You are able to wander around large areas of the estate, including the newly opened woodland walk and visit the private church. Indeed they are going to open the woodland walk at other times during the summer. The dates for which can be found on their website.

There are local artisan stalls around the house selling all manner of things from BBQ’s to bees wax products. There are various talks and displays throughout the day held under the stretchy tent. Handy place to shelter if the weather is bad or indeed if it is hot.

The best part for me is to visit early before the crouds arrive. You can wander down by the River Usk and just listern to the birds. Along the way you will see various sculptures made from natural materials like willow or stone. A log pile even has an image of a trout, a reflection on the terrific fishing in the river below.

If you are hungry the local venison centre brings its catering truck or alternatively volunteers serve you tea and homemade cake. A very worthwhile cause to support.

Aberyscir Coach House – Brecon Beacons Guide

Birds of the Brecon Beacons

May 12, 2019 By Valerie Davies

The Birds of the Brecon Beacons

We are so lucky to live in an area that has an abundance of birdlife flying high above or swopping down over the waterfalls.

The Red Kite

One of the major success stories has been that of the Red Kite who is now no longer on the threatened list. It was saved from national extinction by one of the world’s longest-running protection programmes. This magnificently graceful bird of prey is unmistakable with its reddish-brown body, angled wings and deeply forked tail. You should have no problem seeing them in the Brecon Beacons often flying high with the buzzards.

The Sky Lark

Another bird that you see on the moorlands is the Skylark. The male bird rises high in the sky singing it’s beautiful song to steer you away from it’s nesting mate. Hard to spot he hovers and sings. We have many nesting on Aberyscir Common which is just above the cottage. Sadly now a red conservation status but able to survive in our hills.

The Dipper

The dipper is a short-tailed, plump bird with a low, whirring flight. When perched on a rock it habitually bobs up and down and frequently cocks its tail. Its white throat and breast contrasts with its dark body plumage. It is remarkable in its method of walking into and under water in search of food. Again you should be able to spot these birds on the shallow rivers of the Brecon Beacons perched on the rocks. Our own river Yscir often has one of these birds sitting waiting for a meal opportunity.

The Grey Heron

The Yscir also has a resident Grey Heron who loves to sit by our ancient stone bridge just waiting for supper to go by.

My thanks to Jon Mullin for sharing his beautiful pictures of the first three birds all whom he saw whilst staying at Aberyscir Coach House.

Aberyscir Coach House – Brecon Beacons Guide

Waterfall Country

April 22, 2019 By Valerie Davies

Brecon Beacons Waterfalls

One of the joys of the Brecon Beacons are its waterfalls. They are spread thoughout the park and during periods of high rain they can turn into raging torrents. Yet on other days they become tranquil slow moving cascades. The most popular area is known as the 4 waterfalls walk. There are many other lesser known ones with equal charm but a lot less people!

4 Waterfalls Walk

Waterfall Country, known in Welsh as Coed-y-Rhaeadr (Wood of the Water), lies within the triangle formed by the villages of Hirwaun, Ystradfellte, and Pontneddfechan. It is on the rivers Mellte, Hepste, Pyrddin and Nedd-Fechan, tributaries of the River Neath. Here, old red sandstone and a long belt of outcrop limestone have created a highly distinctive environment of wooded gorges, caves, swallow holes and waterfalls.

The area contains two Sites of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation. There are fine specimens of sessile oak and ash trees and over 200 species of mosses, liverworts, and ferns. It is also of historical significance, as it contains the legacy of man’s attempts to make a living from this landscape. It receives around 300,000 visitors a year, including walkers, outdoor groups, photographers, climbers, cavers and canoeists.

The most famous waterfall is Sgwd-y-Eira, the Snow Waterfall, on the River Hepste. A natural path leads right behind the curtain of water.

There are many trails to follow including the circular walk taking in the 4 waterfalls walk which takes about 3-4 hours without rushing.

Blaen Y Glyn

Another waterfall area that is quite accessible is Blaen Y Glyn. This can be found up above Talybont Reservoir. There is an upper and lower carpark and the main walk is between the two following the river bank.

More in formation can be found on the Brecon Beacons Tourism site

Aberyscir Coach House – Brecon Beacons Guide