YHA Brecon Beacons Danywenallt

Active types would be well served with a stay round here: as well as the hikes and bikes to be expected in the Brecon Beacons National Park, an activity centre a 20-minute drive away has indoor rock climbing and bouldering, an indoor zipline, abseiling and rope bridges to conquer. Prefer a more sedentary getaway? The site’s within half an hour of a host of farmers' markets, so devote several mornings (if possible) to rambling around at Brecon, Abergavenny and Talgarth – just check what days they’re running before arranging travel. Dive below the earth’s surface at the National Showcaves Centre 40 minutes away, to walk behind a 40-foot waterfall and find out how Bone Cave got its name. If that doesn’t appeal, dive into history instead with stops at the Big Pit National Coal Museum and Blaenavon Ironworks – both 40 minutes away – or hitch a ride on the Brecon Mountain Railway, half an hour from base. Easy days for families with young kids in tow are a cinch too: start with the petting zoo, pig races, horse riding and paddleboats at Cantref Adventure Farm (20 minutes away), then settle in for the 35-minute drive to Garwnant Visitor Centre where there are woodland and sculpture trails to follow and family-friendly mountain biking routes.