The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is great for activities throughout the year. Here we’ll provide some ideas for campers looking to visit the Brecon Beacons National Park in 2025. As a local caravan and camping site we wish to make all of our campers experiences amazing through providing informative information that helps everyone get out and explore the region.
Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Map
The Monmouthshire and Brecon canal is 33 miles (53 km) long and is level for the first 23 miles (37 km) to Llangynidr, where there are five locks (canalrivertrust.org.uk).
Originally known as the Brecknock and Abegavenny canals, which were a series of two separate canals. Parliament decided to link the two canals at Pontymoile in the 1790’s, renaming it as the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal to indicate its starting and ending points.
The purpose of the canals were to transport coal, limestone and iron ore from the local mountains. Around the beginning of WW1 the canal ceased in the transport of goods for commercial use.
Great for walking, visitors will find remnants of the old wharf and limekilns. Heritage sites, the old Gotye Wharf and Limekilns have now been preserved. The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, completed the work on both sites.
Sites To Visit Along The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal
Three great sites to visit along the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal walk would be the Brecon Basin, Goyte Wharf, and Limekilns Trail.
The Brecon Basin is great for walking, canoeing, fishing and cycling. The canal makes its way through the centre of Brecon Town. There you’ll find great little gift shops, a range of pubs and cafes as well as Brecon Cathedral.
Another site to visit along the canal would be Goyte Wharf. At Gotye, visitors can hire canoes or bicycles. The area is great for taking advantage of a number woodland walks.
If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, be sure to visit the Limekiln Trail. Visitors will find a series of three historic Limekilns along the canal. The Limekilns have now been restored to their former beauty. This was with the financial support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Brecon Beacons Trust.
Boat, canoe and kayak Hire
The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal which is currently inaccessible from any other waterway and offers 35 miles of quiet pretty countryside from Brecon to Cwmbran. It runs through the Brecon Becons National Park and has just a few locks. ABC Day boat hire at Goytre Wharf offer a range of boats and offer a variety of length routes, some including a stop for a pub lunch.
Canoe hire is available at Goytre Wharf from £30 for half a day which will give you 3 hours on the water. A full day is 7 hours. Life jackets can be provided upon request and are mandatory for non-swimmers and children under the age of 18. If you have your own canoe, you can also bring it along to launch it into the water – There is no charge for this.
Notable Pubs to Visit along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal
If you’re looking for good food or drink while walking along the canal we can recommend a number of excellent stops local to us.
In Gilwern, The Towpath Inn is a village pub with beer garden and canal-side seating serving delicious artisan pizza around Wednesday to Sunday. Family and dog-friendly with great beers, wines, cocktails and coffee if you’re just popping in!
For those looking for a great bike ride from the campsite, cycle from Cwmdu over to the canal in Llangynidr. The Coach and Horses Inn, Llangynidr, serves excellent home-cooked food. Â Outside is a large, peaceful garden overlooking the canal with stunning views over the local countryside and ample, private car parking.
Additional Information
For further information about Cwmdu Campsite in Wales, please visit our Home Page
To check availability for next season, please fill in a booking form here.
For information on 2025 prices, visit our tariffs page, Click here.
For more information regarding our Glamping Pods please visit our site here.
HOLIDAY COTTAGES INFORMATION
4* Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages in the Brecon Beacons located 4 miles from Crickhowell and all within 50 yards of Cwmdu Campsite.
We have 4 cosy cottages available to book:
- Efail Isaf – ‘Old Smithy’ – Sleeps 6 in three bedrooms. Cosy cottage with log burner and picturesque garden and panoramic views of the National Park. Infant facilities are available.
- Efail Bach – ‘Little Smithy’ – One-bed cottage with large shower and separate large bath. Fantastic views from the bedroom, living room and garden. BBQ included. Infant facilities are available.
- The Hay Loft – Newly refurbished couples retreat. Peaceful, scenic views, private garden.
- Ty Ffynon – Beautifully decorated, two-bedroom house with wonderful views, log burner and free-standing bath in the main bedroom.
Click Here for more information or to book a Cwmdu Holiday Cottage stay with us!
FIRE AND ICE INFORMATION
Imagine a Fire & Ice experience like no other! Rest and Rejuvenate peacefully in a Nordic wood-fired Sauna & Ice Baths with a Scenic mountain view looking out across the Welsh Brecon Beacons National Park also known as (Bannau Brycheiniog).
Guests can visit in many ways, camp at Cwmdu Campsite, Glamp in either a log pod or shepherd’s hut, stay in one of our four Holiday Cottages, or stop by for an independent session. Guests are guided through a series of hot and cold transitions between the Sauna and Ice Bath.
This may just be the perfect place to relax, unwind, improve your mental and physical health or recover from a long walk all while listening to the beautiful birdsong of the area.
Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Walks. Dog Friendly. Campground Brecon Beacons. Cwmdu Campsite. Camping. Brecon Beacons. National Park. Wales, Tourism. 2020. Caravan. Motorhome, Tent. Pitches. Visit Wales.
Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal  canalrivertrust.org.uk, accessed 10 March 2019
