Brecon

Brecon, known in Welsh as Aberhonddu, is a market town and community in Powys, Wales. It lies at the confluence of the River Usk and the River Honddu, near the eastern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Historically the county town of Brecknockshire, Brecon became part of Powys in 1974. The town has long served as a local market and service center for the surrounding rural area, with a weekly market and a range of shops and amenities.

Brecon’s landmarks include Brecon Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist, dating to the medieval period, and a town center that preserves a mix of historic buildings from medieval, Tudor, and Georgian eras. The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal passes through Brecon, creating the Brecon Basin, a popular location for boating and riverside walks.

Nearby attractions include the Brecon Mountain Railway, a heritage line, and Theatr Brycheiniog, the town’s principal arts venue. The surrounding countryside provides access to outdoor recreation and hiking routes linking to the Brecon Beacons, including areas around Pen y Fan.

The town’s economy centers on tourism, local services, and public administration. With a population in the low thousands—around 8,000 residents in the wider community—Brecon serves as a gateway town to the Brecon Beacons, attracting visitors for its historic character and rural setting.