Brecknockshire

Brecknockshire, also known as Breconshire, is a historic county in south-central Wales. It is named after the county town of Brecon. The area is largely upland and rural, encompassing much of the Brecon Beacons and the Usk valley. It includes towns such as Brecon, Builth Wells, Crickhowell, Talgarth, and Hay-on-Wye, the latter famous for its literary festival. The county lies within the modern-day county of Powys and, in part, within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Historically, Brecknockshire was established as a Welsh shire under the Laws in Wales Acts of 1535–1542. It existed as a distinct county until 1974, when it was merged into the new county of Powys as part of local government reorganization. Since 1996, Powys has been a unitary authority in Wales; the historic counties are no longer used for local government but continue to appear in cultural and genealogical references.

Geographically, the uplands include parts of the central Beacons, with western areas featuring the Black Mountains and river valleys formed by the Usk and its tributaries. The economy is predominantly rural, with agriculture, tourism, and outdoor recreation as important sectors. Notable features include Brecon Cathedral and the Brecon Beacons region, a major draw for visitors. Hay-on-Wye, located on the border area, hosts an internationally renowned literary festival, underscoring the county’s cultural heritage.