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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Where they’re coining it!

THE ROYAL MINT in South #Wales has opened its the doors to visitors, allowing them to discover the wonder of coins and find out how they make their way into pockets and purses around the world. 

The #RoyalMint Experience at Llantrisant, Glamorgan, will give visitors first-hand knowledge of the manufacturing process, while static and interactive exhibitions will bring the 1,000-year-old organization’s heritage to life.

Anne Jessopp, The Royal Mint’s director of Commemorative Coin, said: ‘We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to a unique behind-the-scenes experience, showcasing more than 1,000 years of coin-making history, and the craftsmanship and innovation for which The Royal Mint is known worldwide.’

The Royal Mint Experience is open daily (excluding December 25-26, and January 1) from 9.30am to 6.30pm. Tickets are available to pre-book at

www.royalmint.com



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Picture Credit: www.royalmint.com

Where – and how – they coin it

THE ROYAL MINT’S visitor centre in South #Wales – opening to the public in May – will offer unprecedented access to the processes involved in producing the coins in our pockets.

Visitors will be able to meet mint’s experts, and there will be the opportunity for people to strike their own coins as a memento of the visit. The guided Factory Experience will enable visitors to gain first-hand knowledge of the manufacturing journey and a series of static and interactive experiences will bring the 1,000 year-old organization’s heritage to life.

 The interactive exhibition comprises six zones:

Zone 1: The Royal Mint and the community – visitors will be taken back 1,000 years to explore the origins of The Royal Mint, its link with the Tower of London, and its move to Wales.

Zone 2: The Royal Mint and the world – find out about the coins and medals The Royal Mint has produced for more than 100 countries worldwide.

Zone 3: Making money – learn about the detailed processes, design, and skill involved in producing a coin.

Zone 4: The other side of The Royal Mint – see military, sporting, and commemorative medals the mint has produced.

Zone 5: The meaning of coins – uncover the different roles that coins play in our everyday lives as symbols of luck and good fortune.

Zone 6: Coins and collecting – coin collecting as a hobby.  

Anne Jessopp, The mint’s director of Commemorative Coin, said: ‘We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to a unique behind-the-scenes experience, showcasing more than 1,000 years of coin-making history, and the craftsmanship and innovation for which The Royal Mint is known worldwide.’

The Royal Mint is in Llantrisant, Mid Glamorgan, and tickets are available to pre-book from April 4 from www.royalmint.com/the-royal-mint-visitor-centre.

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