The Brecons beckon in the winter

THE Brecon Beacons National Park, located in South Wales, is a treasure trove for visitors. From adrenaline-fueled abseiling and mountain biking, to scenic walks and pub lunches, visitors can explore the destination year-round.

Christmas is a particularly magical time to visit the National Park as the market towns come to life with festive markets, food celebrations and Santa grottos in underground caves.  Here are a roundup of festive activities to do in the #BreconBeacons this winter:

Hay Festival Winter Weekend, 23-26 November 2017
The world famous Hay Literature Festival’s Winter Weekend promises an array of literary talks and events throughout the book town alongside a food and vintage festival.  Over 40 exhibitors will attend the food festival and those looking to pick up a vintage bargain will be able to do so on Sunday 26 November at the fashion fair. http://www.hayfestival.com/winterweekend/

Royal Welsh Winter Fair, 27-28 November 2017
Recognised as one of the most popular attractions on the British agricultural show calendar and the finest prime stock show in Europe, the best Welsh food producers get together to showcase their produce. The two day event includes cookery, produce, handicraft, poultry, horticulture, floral art and meat products competitions, a firework display, Christmas gifts and a Santa’s grotto. www.rwas.wales/winter-fair  and prices cost £15 for adults and £5 for children.

Abergavenny Christmas Food Festival, 10 December 2017
The annual Christmas Food and Drink Fair showcases over 90 stalls and exhibitors from all over Wales, including fresh and cured meats, poultry and game, cheeses and chocolates, cakes and desserts, wines and liqueurs, ales and cider. The festival includes bite-size chef demonstrations throughout the day and the chance to spend time with food experts and learn the newest seasonal tips. www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com.

Beacons Trike Tours Limited
Whether it's the thrill of a motorbike ride or the chance to soak up the surroundings whilst being 'chauffeur driven', Trike Tours offer a unique and alternative way to explore the Brecon Beacons. Running a Christmas discount from now until the end of 2017, visitors can save 15% on all tours and vouchers. www.beaconstriketours.co.uk.

Dan-yr-Ogof Cave and Cathedral Cave Christmas Experience
Forget a Santa’s grotto in a high street store, behind a curtained-off section, and instead head deep underground and explore a magical world in the caves and caverns in the Brecon Beacons. Children can step right into a Welsh mountain and discover the ancient caves whilst visiting Santa in his authentic grotto. Furthermore, families can call by the National Showcaves Centre and marvel at one of the largest collections of life-sized dinosaur models in the world. Kids can also enjoy a trailer ride to look at the animals, including the Shire Horses, on the Morgan Brothers’ farm. The caves are open every weekend in December. www.showcaveschristmas.co.uk.

Christmas at The Angel, Abergavenny
The Angel Hotel, named 'AA Hotel of the Year for Wales 2016/17', offers a number of special Christmas packages and events, including The Après Ski Bar - a popup bar bringing the ambience of alpine ski lodge to Abergavenny and serving Swiss fondue, sausages and steins.  www.angelabergavenny.com

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Nature in writing

FOLLOWING a successful inaugural year in 2015, #NiddFest is returning to Nidderdale, #Yorkshire, to present a weekend programme of literary greats (August 5-7). 

Focusing on celebrating nature in writing, the 2016 programme includes an intimate opening night with festival patron and poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy and ‘world laureate’ Imtiaz Dharker, a lively children's programme, and wild swimming and music from Mercury Prize-nominated Kathryn Williams.

Taking place in venues such as a Grade 2 listed church and Fish Pond Wood in Bewerley, the festival captures the spirit of the Yorkshire Dales, while providing a platform to world-class authors, poets and experts.

Outdoor events include a wood walk and wild swim, led by a local expert who will speak about managing ancient woodland.

Writers taking part include Adam Feinstein, Nick Davies, Ali Shaw, John Lewis-Stempel, and gardening expert Christine Walkden.

The children's programme has been extended, and including everything from den building to a big draw with children’s author and illustrator Helen Stephens.

Tickets are per event and range from £3 to £24, available from

www.niddfest.com.

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What’s on at Blenheim

Epstein Bust at Blenheim Palace - Visitors can view a never-been-seen before exhibit in the recently refreshed Churchill Exhibition, a Jacob Epstein bust of Sir Winston Churchill. Exhibited until September, Adult £23.00 Concession £18.30 Child £12.50 Family £60.00 (Palace, Park & Gardens ticket),

Photography Tour - Explore the formal gardens by buggy and stop at the best viewpoints to capture the beauty of your surroundings on a 60-minute tour. Bring your own camera equipment and enjoy some fantastic photography.

Daily (weather permitting) 12 noon, 2pm & 4pm, booking via Flagstaff Visitor Information Point, £3.50 + Adult £23.00 Concession £18.30 (Palace, Park & Gardens ticket)

The Servants Tour: Odd Men & Necessary Women -  This tour provides an insight into the colourful life and work of those who have served at #BlenheimPalace through the ages, both inside and outside in the gardens, parkland and forest. Hear tales of the family and their staff over the past 300 years, and find out what it takes to be a member of the Blenheim Palace Team.

Tuesdays 2pm & Fridays 3pm, booking via Welcome Desk in Visitor Centre (Max numbers apply) Adult £23.00 Concession £18.30 (Palace, Park & Gardens ticket), blenheimpalace.com

Sarah the Indomitable Duchess – a lesson in love… and hate – The first duchess was a passionate woman who at times favoured or alienated all around her; those closest to her were often the object of her irrational and damaging emotions.  Sarah was once described as 'a good hater’. The talk will help visitors to decide if this description was well deserved.

September 16, 2.30pm  

THE four-day Blenheim Palace Festival of Literature, Film and Music (September 24-27) will feature speakers from around the world.

Highlights include Turkish Nobel Prize-winner, Orhan Pamuk and Dr Maki Mandela, Nelson Mandela's eldest daughter.

rom the world of music, Andrew Gant – the former organist, choirmaster, and composer at Her Majesty's Chapel Royal from 2000 to 2012 – Alfred Brendel will be guest artists.

High profile speakers include the great nephew of the Emperor of Ethiopia, Prince Asfa-Wossen Asserate, launching his biography, King of Kings – the Triumph and the Tragedy of Haile Selassi of Ethiopia. Max Mosley, the former president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, will be talking about his life following the recent launch of his autobiography.

BBC Radio presenter Paul Gambaccini will give an insight into his career and talk about his book, Love.

blenheimpalaceliteraryfestival.com

The Blenheim Tapestries – The Blenheim tapestries are outstanding works of art, commissioned by the 1st Duke of Marlborough to illustrate his victories. This talk and tour will include additional textiles such as carpets and captured standards.

October 9, 2.30pm

Blenheim Palace in WWI – On Armistice Day, this talk looks at how the people who lived and worked at Blenheim Palace played their part during this time of immense change and sacrifice. Explore the role of the palace, the family, and the people who worked here on both the front line and the home front.

November 11, 2.30pm

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24736216@N07/6432144089">Blenheim Palace - Air View (Postcard)</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)

Book now for the island’s lit fest

TICKETS are now on sale for the fourth #Guernsey Literary Festival (September 16-20).

The speaker line-up includes cook and food writer Prue Leith; author of bestselling Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Deborah Moggach; author and journalist, Will Self, children's book illustrator, Korky Paul; and former Labour government minister, Jack Straw.

There will be talks, workshops, film screenings, and family story sessions. 

For the event diary and ticket booking, go to www.guernseyliteraryfestival.com

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36993742@N00/8367946234">Reading for life</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)