Crickhowell is a tiny town that lies on the River Usk in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. The Georgian town is remarkably well-preserved and makes a good spot to base yourself for exploring the national park.
As a Welshman, I've spent most of my life living and travelling in Wales so I've passed through on many occasions. Whilst the town itself is relatively quiet and peaceful, there are plenty of things to do in the surrounding area as I'll explain in this guide.
Where To Stay in Crickhowell
The Bear - A historic 3-star coaching inn right in the heart of Crickhowell with period features and a warm welcome.
The Manor Hotel - Just outside of Crickhowell, this 3-star hotel has bright and modern rooms that look out across the Usk Valley.
View more hotels or holiday cottages in Crickhowell
Where To Eat in Crickhowell
- Latte-Da Coffee - A friendly kitchen in the town centre that's great for breakfast and lunch.
- The Vine Tree - Just over in Llangattok, this restaurant serves up British cuisine using locally sourced food. A great dinner spot.
1. Explore Crickhowell Castle
Crickhowell Castle, also known as Alisby's Castle who was a former governor of the castle, is a 13th century castle that is now mostly in ruins.
There isn’t much left to see of the castle itself, however, it's still worth visiting as you can enjoy the panoramic views from the top of the motte and there are information boards dotted around so that you can learn about the site's history.
You won't need to spend more than 10 minutes at the castle so it's not worth going out of your way for, but if you're already in town definitely stop by since it's not far from the centre.
If you're travelling with a family, the castle is right next to a public play park which can add an extra activity during your visit.
2. Cruise down the canal in a self-drive electric boat
The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal runs straight past Crickhowell offering some beautiful walking paths as well as the opportunity to enjoy the national park from the waterway itself.
Beacon Park Day Boats is based in the small village of Llangattock just outside of Crickhowell and they allow you to hire a self-drive electric boat for the day. The smallest boats are 14ft and can hold 6 people.
Don't worry if you've never driven before, the electric boats only have backwards and forwards controls and there's a proper steering wheel for changing direction.
If you're travelling in a smaller group, they also allow you to hire a cycle boat for two people, canoes, or even stand-up paddle boards.
If you really enjoy captaining your own boat, perhaps you'll want to take a longer trip along the canal on one of their narrowboat holidays.
3. Enjoy excellent food at Nantyffin Cider Mill Inn
Did you know that the literal translation for the Nantyffin Cider Mill Inn is ‘the brook by the border’? The inn was originally a cider mill and you can still see some of the equipment such as the old cider press shown in the image above.
Cider is no longer made here, but it's now one of the top food destinations in Crickhowell.
A stop at the Nantyffin Cider Mill Inn for dinner is an excellent choice whilst in Crickhowell. Only the best locally sourced produce is used which means the extensive menu offers an excellent choice of top-quality food that caters for all, at very reasonable prices.
4. Hike up Crug Hywel (Table Mountain)
Crug Hywel, also known as Table Mountain, is an Iron Age Hillfort which rises to 451m above sea level and offers stunning views of the town of Crickhowell from the summit.
As you’d expect with a climb of 451m, it’s a strenuous walk and should only be attempted if you have a good level of fitness, however, the views at the top make the walk worthwhile.
The walk begins right in the heart of the town (parking is available at Crickhowell Information Centre) and it should take less than 3 hours depending upon your ability. See the full route here.
5. Walk across the historic Crickhowell Bridge
Crickhowell Bridge is an iconic landmark that dates to the 18th century and is claimed to be the longest stone bridge in Wales, standing at over 128 metres long1.
Although Crickhowell isn't that big, if you arrived along the main road (A40) from elsewhere in the national park then you might have missed it so be sure to go and hunt it out.
The short Crickhowell Castle and River Usk Circular walking trail doesn't go directly across the bridge but offers a great vantage point from the riverside.
6. Visit Craig Y Cilau Nature Reserve
Less than 15 minutes from Crickhowell by car is Craig y Cilau National Nature Reserve, one of Wales' most outstanding botanical sites where you'll find a variety of alpine plants and trees, including some extremely rare species.
It's free to visit and there's a walking trail which begins along the old tramroad route which was once used by the quarries in the 18th and 19th centuries. You can find the full route here. The best place to park is the car park on Llangattock Hillside here.
The limestone cliffs offer exceptional views and you'll discover several caves along the way including Agen Aliwedd and the Eglwys Faen cave. It's not a little-known walk so expect lots of peace and quiet.
Note that the route can be slippery and involves a steep climb (this could be an ascent or descent depending on which direction you are going). I would definitely avoid this walk during or after rainfall.
7. Visit the Big Pit National Coal Museum
The Big Pit National Coal Museum is a museum set in a real coal mine. The museum is focused on the mining industry in Wales and how it affected the lives of families during those years.
No doubt the most exciting part of the museum is the underground tour (plus it's totally free)! Wearing the same equipment as the miners would have back then, the guided tour takes you 300 ft below ground to discover the workings of a mine such as the tram circuit, lamp room, and engine houses.
It's found within the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape (which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site) about 20 minutes south of Crickhowell. I would recommend combining it with a visit to Blaenavon Ironworks and the World Heritage Centre.
Related Question
Is Crickhowell Worth Visiting?
Yes, Crickhowell is worth visiting because even though it’s a small town there’s still plenty on offer to keep people entertained. It’s also excellently placed as a gateway to either the Brecon Beacons or Abergavenny which are both a short drive away and can easily be accessed.
What Other Activities Are Nearby?
There might be a limited range of activities in Crickhowell itself, but there are plenty of other great things to do in the Brecon Beacons National Park, most of which can be reached within 30 minutes of driving.
Published: 10 September 2022 · Last updated: 12 October 2023