Any individual, couple or group – not over keen on hiking!!
Trips by Road from The Living Energy
You may be staying at the foot of the Black Mountains, with Twmpa, Hay Bluff, Pen-y-Fan and the Four Waterfalls Walk all temptingly close by, but don’t worry, not everyone comes to Wales to march uphill before breakfast!
For many of our guests, one of the greatest pleasures of staying at The Living Energy is simply being here. Tucked away in the beautiful countryside of the Wye Valley, surrounded by open space, mountains and big skies, it is a place where you can slow down, switch off and enjoy the luxury of having nowhere you need to be.
The peace and quiet are part of the experience. There is no traffic rumbling past, no busy roads and very little to disturb the tranquillity, just birdsong, sheep, the occasional pony and the sound of the countryside going about its business. On a clear night, the stars seem to go on forever. By day, there are magnificent views across the Wye Valley and towards the Black Mountains, with changing light and weather providing a constantly different backdrop.
And yet, wonderfully, you are not cut off from the world. Hay-on-Wye, Brecon, Abergavenny and the many attractions of the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains are all within easy reach by car. So, you can spend the morning doing absolutely nothing, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and then decide that perhaps you really would like to go exploring after all!
These trips are designed to help you discover some of our favourite places, scenic drives, historic buildings, fascinating towns, good food and walks ranging from “that looks lovely” to “I’m definitely going to feel that tomorrow.”
So, if you can tear yourself away from the views, the peace and the comfortable surroundings of The Living Energy, here are some ideas for fun days out.
🚗 SEVEN ONE DAY TRIPS
| Trip | Destination | Approx. drive |
| 1 | Hay-on-Wye & Wye Valley | 20–60 mins |
| 2 | Brecon & Beacons scenery | 25–60 mins |
| 3 | Waterfall Country & Vale of Neath | 45–60 mins |
| 4 | Abergavenny, Crickhowell & Llangorse | 40–60 mins |
| 5 | National Showcaves Centre for Wales | 50–60 mins |
| 6 | Brecon Mountain Railway & Pontsticill Reservoir | 45–55 mins |
| 7 | Gospel Pass, Llanthony Priory, Abergavenny & Brecon | All day |
Trip 1 – Hay-on-Wye & the Wye Valley
Approx. 20–30 minutes from The Living Energy
The town that became a town of books
Hay-on-Wye was once a fairly ordinary little market town on the Welsh-English border. Its transformation began in 1961, when a young bookseller called Richard Booth opened a second-hand bookshop in the town’s old fire station. He realised that unwanted and surplus books could be bought very cheaply in large quantities, and began filling shops, buildings and eventually much of the town with them. Other booksellers followed, and by the early 1970s Hay was already known as the “Town of Books” and had become an international centre for second-hand books.
But Richard Booth was not exactly a conventional businessman!
On 1 April 1977, he announced that Hay was an independent kingdom and proclaimed himself King Richard Coeur de Livre – roughly, Richard Heart of the Book. He appeared in the town wearing a crown and robe, issued his own passports and currency, and even appointed his horse, Goldie, as Prime Minister. He also created a national sausage.
Whether it was serious or an elaborate publicity stunt is still part of the fun. Booth himself described the declaration as a publicity exercise, but it certainly worked. Hay became famous well beyond Wales and eventually inspired the development of other “book towns” around the world.
The Hay Festival came later, beginning in 1988, and helped establish Hay as an international literary destination – but the town was already famous for its books long before the festival arrived.
So when wandering around Hay, remember that you’re not simply visiting a town with lots of bookshops. You’re visiting a place that was effectively turned into a literary attraction by one wonderfully eccentric bookseller who crowned himself king!
A good place to start is Richard Booth’s Bookshop, which still occupies a prominent position in the town.
Wander around the independent bookshops, galleries, antique shops and cafés without having to walk very far.
After lunch, take the scenic drive along the River Wye towards Bradwardine and Hereford. Stop for a coffee or a drink beside the river or simply enjoy the scenery from the car.
Optional: Visit Hay Castle, right in the centre of Hay. There is a small one off entry charge, but the museum gives the history of how Hay on Wye became the Town Of Books.
Evening: Return to The Living Energy via Gospel Pass, or have dinner in Hay.
Don’t miss: The drive itself – the countryside around Hay is every bit as attractive as the destinations.
Trip 2 – Brecon, the Beacons & a little history
Approx. 25–40 minutes
Head to Brecon for a relaxed morning. Explore the cathedral, shops and cafés and take a stroll along the canal basin.
Then drive through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). You can enjoy much of the scenery without leaving the car.
Drive towards Libanus and the Visitor Centre, where there are superb views across the mountains. From here you can simply admire the scenery rather than tackling one of the longer walks.
Continue towards Talybont-on-Usk and perhaps stop for lunch.
Alternative for a wet day: Spend more time exploring Brecon’s shops, cafés, cathedral and museums.
Evening: Back to The Living Energy for a well-earned drink!
Trip 3 – Waterfalls, caves & the Vale of Neath
Approx. 45–60 minutes
Today head south towards the Waterfall Country around Ystradfellte.
You don’t have to do the famous Four Waterfalls Walk! Instead, choose one easily accessible waterfall or viewpoint and enjoy the scenery without committing to a long hike.
Continue through the spectacular Vale of Neath, where there are numerous waterfalls and wooded valleys.
For something completely different, visit Dan-yr-Ogof – the National Showcaves of Wales. The caves, dinosaurs and surrounding attractions make this an excellent bad-weather option as well.
Lunch: Ystradfellte, Pontneddfechan or one of the villages on the route.
Evening: Return via the mountains.
Trip 4 – Abergavenny & the Black Mountains
Approx. 45 minutes
Head east to Abergavenny, one of the prettiest market towns in South Wales.
Have a leisurely look around the town and perhaps visit Abergavenny Castle. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants for lunch.
Then take the spectacular A40/A479 route back towards Crickhowell and the Black Mountains.
Stop at Crickhowell for coffee and a look around the independent shops.
If you’re feeling energetic, there are plenty of short walks available – but equally, you can simply enjoy the views.
Optional detour: Drive up towards Llangorse Lake, Wales’s largest natural lake, before returning to The Living Energy.
Trip 5 – The National Showcaves Centre for Wales
Approx. 50–60 minutes from The Living Energy
Head south to The National Showcaves Centre for Wales at Dan-yr-Ogof.
This makes a particularly good day out for guests who aren’t keen on hiking. The main attraction is the spectacular network of caves, but there is much more to see, including the dinosaur park and other attractions on the site.
Allow at least 3–4 hours, and longer if you want to see everything at a leisurely pace.
On the way home, consider stopping at Ystradfellte or Pontneddfechan for refreshments and a short look at the surrounding waterfall country.
Walking: ⭐ Easy to moderate, depending on which attractions you visit.
Tip: This is an excellent choice for a day when the weather isn’t at its best.
Trip 6 – Brecon Mountain Railway
Approx. 45–55 minutes from The Living Energy
Take a leisurely drive to Pant, near Merthyr Tydfil, and board the Brecon Mountain Railway.
The steam railway travels through spectacular mountain scenery alongside Pontsticill Reservoir, making it a great way to experience the Beacons without having to climb them!
The journey is the main attraction, but allow plenty of time for a relaxed day rather than simply arriving, taking the train and leaving.
You can combine the railway with a drive around the Taf Fechan valley or stop at Pontsticill Reservoir.
Walking: ⭐ Very easy – this is very much a sit back and enjoy the scenery day.
Tip: Check the railway’s running timetable before setting off, as services are seasonal
Trip 7 – Gospel Pass, Llanthony Priory, Abergavenny & Brecon
Trip highlights: Gospel Pass • Llanthony Priory • Black Mountains scenery • Mountain drive to Abergavenny • Abergavenny town • Brecon
Walking: Easy to moderate – the Llanthony Priory stroll can be kept relatively short, making this suitable for a relaxed family day.
Overall driving: Approximately 3–3½ hours, spread throughout the day, with the scenery and stops making the journey part of the experience.
The Route
This really is my favourite all-day road trip. It combines a relaxed and spectacular drive over Gospel Pass – the highest road pass in Wales – with magnificent mountain scenery, an opportunity to explore one of Wales’ most atmospheric medieval ruins, time to wander around historic Abergavenny, and finally an excellent Nepalese meal in Brecon. Safe driving.
9.30 am – Leave the Living Energy
Head towards Hay-on-Wye and then take the mountain road towards Gospel Pass, climbing into some of the most spectacular scenery in the Black Mountains.
10.30 am – Gospel Pass
Reach Gospel Pass (Bwlch yr Efengyl), at 549 metres above sea level – the highest road pass in Wales. The narrow mountain road climbs between Hay Bluff and Twmpa before descending into the remote Vale of Ewyas.
Allow time to stop and take in the views. On a clear day, the panorama across the mountains is magnificent, and the pass itself is one of the great scenic drives in this part of Wales.
Allow 20–30 minutes for stops and photographs.
11.15 am – Drive down the Vale of Ewyas to Llanthony Priory
Continue down into the wonderfully secluded Vale of Ewyas, one of the most atmospheric valleys in the Black Mountains.
11.45 am – Llanthony Priory
Spend an hour or so exploring the spectacular ruins of Llanthony Priory, founded in the early 12th century. The priory dates from around 1103 and was established by William de Lacy, who abandoned his former life to establish a religious community in this remote valley.
The great medieval arches and walls are particularly impressive against the surrounding mountains. You don’t need to be a serious historian to appreciate Llanthony – its combination of history, architecture and isolation makes it one of those places that stays in the memory.
There is also a historic pub/restaurant at the priory, making this a good opportunity for coffee, a drink or lunch, depending on the timing. The National Park lists a pub, café and restaurant among the facilities at Llanthony.
Allow 1–1½ hours.
1.15 pm – On to Abergavenny
Take the winding road out of the Vale of Ewyas towards Abergavenny, with the Black Mountains providing a spectacular backdrop.
2.00 pm – Explore Abergavenny
Abergavenny is an ideal place for a relaxed afternoon stop. Depending on your interests, you could:
- Visit Abergavenny Castle and Museum and discover the turbulent history of this important Welsh Marches town.
- Wander through the attractive town centre and market area.
- Visit St Mary’s Priory Church, with its impressive medieval connections.
- Take a gentle walk through Castle Meadows beside the River Usk.
- Visit Linda Vista Gardens for a quieter stroll.
- Simply find a café and watch the world go by.
For those wanting something more energetic, the surrounding area offers walks towards the Skirrid, Sugar Loaf and Blorenge. The Skirrid and Hatterrall Hill also form part of the Beacons Way, which runs between Abergavenny and Llanthony.
Allow around 2 hours in Abergavenny.
4.00 pm – Scenic drive towards Brecon
Leave Abergavenny and head back towards the Brecon area, enjoying another completely different perspective of the mountains and valleys.
Depending on the season and how much time has been spent at the various stops, there is the opportunity for another coffee stop or short scenic walk along the way.
5.30–6.00 pm –-Arrive in Brecon
Spend a little time exploring Brecon town, perhaps taking a stroll around the cathedral, the canal basin or the old town centre.
Then it’s time for the highlight of the evening – dinner.
6.30–7.00 pm – Dinner at Himalayan Herbs
Finish the day with dinner at Himalayan Herbs Brecon in Glamorgan Street.
This Nepalese restaurant offers something rather different from the usual Welsh pub menu. The food includes Nepalese and Himalayan specialities, with plenty of choice for both meat eaters and vegetarians.
You can try momos, traditional Himalayan steamed dumplings, or dishes such as chhoila, a spiced Nepalese meat dish. There are also Nepalese curries, chow chow noodles, lamb, chicken and seafood dishes, alongside vegetarian specialities, rice and naan.
It is a fitting way to finish a day that has taken you from a 549-metre mountain pass, through a remote medieval valley, to a historic market town and finally to Brecon.
8.00–8.30 pm – Return to The Living Energy
After dinner, make the relatively straightforward journey back to The Living Energy, arriving back after a full but wonderfully varied day.
A LITTLE MORE HISTORY
From The Living Energy, the route heads towards Hay-on-Wye and then climbs into the Black Mountains along the spectacular road to Gospel Pass (Bwlch yr Efengyl). At 549 metres above sea level, it is the highest road pass in Wales. The road is narrow and winding, but there are passing places and plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the views. From the high point there are wonderful panoramas across the Black Mountains and the surrounding countryside. The pass has also been used by walkers and cyclists for generations, and the name has several possible origins, including traditions associated with St Paul and with medieval travellers passing through the mountains.
From Gospel Pass the road descends into the wonderfully remote Vale of Ewyas, one of the most secluded valleys in the Black Mountains. Here lies Llanthony Priory, dramatically surrounded by steep mountains.
Llanthony Priory
Llanthony is one of those places where the setting is almost as impressive as the history. The priory originated around 1100, when the Norman knight William de Lacy is said to have discovered an old chapel dedicated to St David and was inspired to abandon his military life for prayer and solitude. By 1118 a community of Augustinian canons had been established here.
The remote location was not always peaceful. The priory suffered attacks and eventually declined, but it was rebuilt on a grand scale and became one of the great medieval buildings of Wales. The surviving red-stone walls, enormous arches and ruined church give a remarkable impression of its former size.
The 12th-century writer Gerald of Wales (Giraldus Cambrensis) visited Llanthony in 1188 and was struck by its extraordinary isolation. Nearly nine centuries later, the same feeling remains: the priory sits in a narrow valley beneath the mountains, far removed from modern traffic and towns.
The priory eventually succumbed to the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII. Today the ruins are cared for by Cadw and entry to the monument is free. There is also a bar and restaurant within the historic priory buildings, making it an ideal place for a stroll and perhaps a drink or lunch.
On to Abergavenny
After Llanthony, continue towards Abergavenny, a historic market town beautifully situated between the Black Mountains and the Usk Valley.
There are several possibilities for a short stop here. You can explore Abergavenny Castle and Museum, which provides an introduction to the turbulent history of the town and the Welsh Marches. The town centre itself is worth wandering around, particularly the market and the surrounding old streets.
For those wanting a little fresh air, Linda Vista Gardens provides an attractive and relatively easy stroll, while Castle Meadows offers pleasant walking beside the River Usk. If you have more time, the surrounding mountains provide some excellent walks, including Sugar Loaf, the Blorenge and Skirrid (Ysgyryd Fawr).
Another interesting possibility is St Mary’s Priory Church, whose origins go back to the Norman period. It contains some remarkable medieval features and is an important reminder of Abergavenny’s religious and political importance during the Middle Ages.
Through the mountains to Brecon
From Abergavenny, the journey continues northwards through some beautiful Welsh countryside towards Brecon. Depending on the time available, there is plenty of opportunity for scenic stops before arriving in Brecon for an evening meal.
Dinner at Himalayan Herbs, Brecon
The day finishes with dinner at Himalayan Herbs in Glamorgan Street, Brecon, a Nepalese restaurant offering something rather different from the usual pub or British restaurant fare.
The menu combines Nepalese and Himalayan specialities with Indian-influenced dishes, with plenty of choice for meat eaters and vegetarians. Starters include momos – Himalayan steamed dumplings filled with chicken, pork or vegetables – as well as lamb chops, chicken tikka, pork sekuwa and the Nepalese-style chhoila, made with meat, ginger, garlic, roasted tomato, spring onion, green chilli and herbs.
For the main course there are traditional Nepalese curries such as Gurkha Curry, Lahure Curry and the hotter Akbare Curry, together with dishes such as king prawn cooked with coconut milk and Nepalese spices. The restaurant’s Himalayan section includes momo dishes and Nepalese-style chow chow noodles.
Vegetarians are particularly well catered for, with dishes including Aloo Tama Bodi – potatoes, bamboo shoots and black-eyed beans – paneer dishes, mixed vegetables and traditional lentil dishes. Rice, naan and other accompaniments complete the meal.
The result is a fitting end to a day that has taken you from the high mountains of the Gospel Pass, through the solitude and history of Llanthony, to the bustling market town of Abergavenny and finally to the atmospheric market town of Brecon.
A full day of mountains, history, scenery, good food and some of the best driving roads in the area – and one of my personal favourites.
