Please be aware that Craig-y-nos Country Park is only partly open following severe damage caused by recent storms. Please abide by the closed notices and do not cross through any barriers. These measures are in place for your safety. Facilities such as the car park, duck pond, EV Chargers, toilets, Dwy Afon café, Emporium, Fairy Cwtch and Fibre are open as usual.
This 40 acre country park wraps around the River Tawe as it flows between steep wooded hillsides in the upper Swansea Valley. Besides providing an introduction to Fforest Fawr through the Geopark Discovery Point, the park is popular with families and dog-walkers. Now a hotel, Craig-y-nos Castle itself was built for C19th opera singer, Adelina Patti but its extensive grounds are now owned and managed by the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park Authority for public enjoyment.
OS grid ref SN 840155 Postcode SA9 1GL
Patti was attracted to create her Welsh home in this sublime spot between the two limestone bluffs of Craig Rhiwarth and Craig-y-nos. The dramatic landscape still attracts visitors today though some were attracted not by its beauty but for its minerals. The geological processes which were responsible for its aesthetic appeal led to limestone, rottenstone silica rock and sand being available to supply the burgeoning industry of C19th South Wales – the fascinating legacy of that period of industry is celebrated at the Geopark Discovery Point on the Geoterrace. Two of Wales’ most remarkable caves are but a stone’s throw from here and the signs of recent glaciation are scattered around the immediate area.
Geology
- Quaternary: river sands & gravels, glacial moraine
- Carboniferous: Limestone
Getting there
The country park is just off the A4067 between Ystradgynlais and Sennybridge. It lies on the route of the T6 bus service between Swansea and Brecon. If coming by car, there is a large pay and display tarmac car park with marked parking spaces free for disabled parking badge holders. There are multiple electric vehicle charging points available. The nearest train stations are at Neath, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil.
Cafe
Caffi Dwy Afon overlooks the Geoterrace and serves meals and light refreshments between 10am and 4pm. Bookings via 07535 488009. Besides the tables on the terrace there are picnic tables around the grounds.
- Ice creams, teas and coffees.
- Locally prepared seasonal innovative menu.
- Alternative Sunday Lunch menu
- Local produce and crafts centre
- Friday and Saturday restaurant until 10.30 pm by booking in advance
Other facilities
The main toilet block and disabled access toilet is next to the visitor centre. A further disabled access toilet is sited within the grounds. A classroom is used by education groups and is available for hire. Maps, guides and leaflets are available from a sales cabin in the grounds. Numerous paths allow the grounds to be explored – the main circuit via the two ornamental lakes is now fully tarmacked.
Walks
Short walks of various length can be made within the grounds whilst three circular trails explore the local countryside starting from the country park. Pick up one of these leaflets or download a pdf guide:
- Cribarth – a geotrail exploring the rocky ridge to the southwest
- Penwyllt – a geotrail venturing to the former industrial hamlet to the east
- Wealth of Water – a circular trail exploring up-valley from the country park
Those seasoned walkers with more time on their hands can follow the Beacons Way east or west from here – it is typically completed in 8 days.
Maps
Craig-y-nos and the surrounding countryside features on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale Explorer map OL12 ‘Brecon Beacons: western area‘. Those with an interest in the area’s dramatic geology can pick up a copy of sheet 231 ‘Merthyr Tydfil‘ or the simplified geological map of Fforest Fawr Geopark – both at 1:50,000 scale.
Registered park and garden
Craig-y-nos is one of the 17 ‘registered parks and gardens of special historic interest’ to be found within the National Park. It includes both the grounds of the country park together with the castle and its immediate environs. Read Cadw’s 1994 report here.