Wild autumn adventures in the Brecon Beacons
“When I need to escape for a weekend I always head to the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales, 520 square miles of craggy mountains to summit, cold, clear pools to swim in and hidden campsites to bed down in after an adventure. “
Ah autumn, the season of mellow fruitfulness, of a wonderful chill to the air, and of lots of tempting crispy leaves to step on. I love getting outdoors when September comes, the crowds leave and Britain’s wildest landscapes turn red and gold. So when wonder emporium of adventure gear Ellis Brigham asked me to show them my perfect wild autumn weekend on my doorstep, I knew exactly where to take them – the Brecon Beacons National Park. Like most of us, I live in a busy city, and having this amazing wild space to explore just an hour and a bit from my front door is such an amazing tonic after a frazzled week at work.
Here’s my recipe for my dream weekend of fresh air and wide-open spaces in the glorious Brecon Beacons: a relaxed bimble up Pen y Fan, a camp out under the stars at Cwm Llwch campsite (the perfect not-quite-wild-camping spot to pitch your tent), a foodie ramble around Abergavenny and then a cooling wild swim in the heavenly Devil’s Punchbowl, half-hidden in a green glade.
Fancy coming along for the adventure? He’s a little video I filmed with Ellis Brigham of my wild weekend, with a bonus appearance from an extremely cute wild foal. Do you spot anywhere you’ve explored?
“I may only get to spend a few days in Wales’ wild landscapes, but driving home to Bristol with hair wet from a wild swim, knackered legs from a hefty hill climb and wood smoke still clinging to my clothes, I feel like I’ve really escaped.”
Read more of my wild autumn adventure in the Brecon Beacons on the Ellis Brigham blog
