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Situated in a dramatic and romantic location in the upper Swansea Valley, Craig-y-nos

Country Park is a 40-acre Victorian garden with shady woodlands, meadows, ponds, lawns

and rivers. The historic grounds of Craig-y-nos Castle, once home to the internationally

famous opera singer Adelina Patti, (1843 – 1919) is spread on the banks of the River Tawe.

Now managed by the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, the site has a long history.

It is believed that a Welsh prince once lived in an earlier castle here, however Craig-y-nos Castle

and Country Park date back to the 1800s.

The park today has many gentle, easy-to-follow paths with benches, picnic areas and a tea room.

Where is it?

Craig-y-nos Country Park, Pen-y-Cae,

Swansea Valley, SA9 1GL. It is on the

A4067 between Ystradgynlais and

Sennybridge near Dan yr Ogof

showcaves. Explorer Map OL 12 or

Landranger Map 160 – SN 840 155.

Distance

There are a range of options up to

about 1.5km (1 mile)

Time

Allow 1-2 hours.

Terrain

Mixture of tarmac and grassy stile-free

paths. Mostly level or gently sloping

ground. Wheelchair and scooter

accessible through much of the Country

Park; a wheelchair is available at the

visitor centre for use on site. There is a

braille map at the bottom of the car

park.

Grade Easy.

Trails can become slippery due to

weather conditions. Please take

extra care near the river and in the

woodlands. Suitable footwear, sturdy

shoes or boots with a good grip, are

best worn at all times.

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Walking Itineraries

Craig-y-nos Country Park

Information

Please note

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The Route

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The Route

Activities suitable on this route

There are four geocaches available within the grounds: CYN Over Water GC3JJ4A, CYN Beside Water

GC3JJ5R, CYN Heron Lake GC3JJ7F, CYN Dragons View GC3JJ94.

Orienteering (ask at photography hut for maps), birdwatching, journey sticks, colour palettes, photography

From the café area, head down the sloping path between the

car park and the wall. At the photography hut, turn left to the

fish pond. Stroll around the fish pond or turn right following

he path to the wooden bridge. Looking upstream, this is

where two rivers meet- the River Llynfell on the left and the

River Tawe on the right.

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Cross the bridge and follow the path to the left which runs

longside the river and leads to the pinewood.

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When you reach a path junction, turn right and follow this

path through the pine trees to reach the Far Lake. Walk right

around the Far Lake to the other end. (Another option from

the Far Lake is to take the path on the right through a

rhododendron tunnel. This takes you directly to the bridge

with the metal railings.)

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The path then bends around to the right. Follow it through

woodlands then alongside the river bank until you get to a

bridge with metal railings. Look up and you will have a good

view of Craig-y-nos castle. Adelina Patti moved here in 1848

and lived here for over 40 years with her second and third

husbands.

Cross the metal bridge (some steps), turn left and walk

downstream. You will shortly see an old building on your right.

This is the Pavilion where castle guests would have changed

nto clothes for tennis and croquet and played on the flat

lawns in front of the building.

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Continue on the path into the Hay Meadow, looking out for a

memorial stone under an oak tree-planted by Patti herself in

914.

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At the other end of the Hay Meadow there is a gate. Go

through the gate then turn right to follow the path back to

the Pavilion. You can then return to the car park by retracing

your steps and continuing straight on past the metal bridge

below the castle itself.

Information

Opening times Daily, 24 hours a day. The Country Park is never

locked except on Christmas Day.

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Parking Car park at Craig-y-nos Country Park for cars/minibuses

and coaches. Parking charges: £2.50 (£1.50 for 2 hrs only)

Disabled parking available.

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Refreshments and toilets Changing Seasons Café 01639 731498.

http://changing-seasons-tea-rooms.weebly.com/

OpenMon-Fri 10-4.30, Sat/Sun 10-5.

Toilets Free. Open 24 hours every day except Christmas Day.

Disabled toilet/baby changing facilities.

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Public Transport Bus 63/X63 From Swansea via Ystradgynlais

or from Brecon via Sennybridge. Buses easy access and take

wheelchairs and prams.

www.natgroup.co.uk/sites/www.natgroup.co.uk/files/

Service%2063%20X63X64%20-%20NEWEST_1.pdf

http://www.traveline.cymru/

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Nearest Towns

Ystradgynlais for all facilities-shops/fuel/post office/cafes.

Shop at Penycae 3 miles south. Post office/café/information

and shop at Abercrave.

Websites

www.breconbeacons.org/craig-y-nos-country-park

www.craigynoscastle.com/

www.geocaching.com/

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DogsWell behaved dogs on leads welcome

Craig-y-nos Country Park

Sample Itinerary

10.00 Arrive. Tea/coffee at the cafe

10.30 Walk around Country Park

12.00 Picnic lunch in Craig-y-nos grounds

or lunch in café

1.00 Visit Dan yr Ogof showcaves

open March to October

www.showcaves.co.uk

Talybont

Taf Fechan

lanfoist

Sugar Loaf Mountain

Llangorse

Pen-y-crug

Pontneddfechan

Craig-y-nos

Cribarth

Twyn-y-gaer

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The purpose of this booklet is to promote tourism. The maps in this booklet are covered by

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