Looking up into the great canopy of space is a magical experience anyone can enjoy. The Brecon Beacons National Park has some of the highest-quality dark skies in the country, making it the perfect location for stargazing.
This article is the ultimate guide for people looking to stargaze in the Brecon Beacons.
Are the Brecon Beacons Good for Stargazing?
Yes, the Brecon Beacons is one of the best locations in the UK for stargazing. On a clear night, you can see major constellations, bright nebulas, and even meteor showers.
In 2012, the Brecon Beacons National Park became the first International Dark Sky Reserve in Wales. This means that the park was accredited with an exceptional quality of starry nights and is protected as a nocturnal environment for scientific, natural, and cultural enjoyment
Brecon Beacons Stargazing Tours
Stargazing is one of the top things to do in the Brecon Beacons so you won't be surprised to find out that there are several tours you can take. These are great if you aren't sure where to start or what you’re looking at because a guide will take you around the best spots, provide equipment, and teach you about the constellations in the sky.
- Dark Sky Wales hosts group tours with an experienced astronomer to guide you around the night sky and use advanced telescopes. The tour takes place at the Brecon Beacons Visitor Centre and costs £25 per person for a 1.5 hour tour.
ㅤ - For a more romantic experience, a stargazing tour for two is available with Virgin Experience Days. An astronomer will talk you through discovering numerous celestial objects with the use of a portable telescope. Experience the magic of stargazing with your partner for £50.
Best Places in the Brecon Beacons for Stargazing
There are many incredible places for you to enjoy the majestic night sky in the Brecon Beacons. Here are 11 of the best spots for stargazing.
My photography skills are really not up to scratch for capturing the night sky, so I've reached out to other sources on the internet and shared some of their astronomy photos to give you an idea of what's possible with the right gear.
1. Sugar Loaf Mountain
Sugar Loaf is one of the highest peaks in the Black Mountains and provides the backdrop for the market town of Abergavenny. This wide, open area is perfect for a panoramic view of the night sky.
For the best photo spot, don't go up the mountain but use it as a silhouette as shown in the above image. With an accessible car park at the foot of the mountain, there’s no need for hiking in the dark. You can enjoy all that the night sky has to offer from the comfort of your car.
2. Maen Lina Standing Stone
Maen Lina Standing Stone is a near-4m high stone that's thought to date back to the bronze age. it's original use is unclear, but, today it makes the perfect focal point when stargazing in the Brecon Beacons.
The diamond shaped stone is easily accessible as it lies very close to a road near the small village of Ystradfellte which is right in the middle of waterfall country. You cannot search for the location on Google Maps so find the pin point here.
3. Llangorse Lake
Llangorse Lake is the largest natural lake in Mid and South Wales. Not far from Brecon, it’s easily accessible from the A40 road and has a boat load of places to set up a telescope. Find the Google maps pin here.
Even though the location shares its space with an outdoor pursuits centre, only a small amount of stray light limits the views at this serene beauty spot. Some stars and constellations you can see include The Plough, Ursa Major, the North Star, and Perseid Meteor Shower
4. Llanthony Priory
Beneath the Black Mountains lies the dramatic ruins of Llanthony Priory, one of Wales’s most iconic medieval buildings. Thanks to the low light pollution, the area hosts pristine dark skies that allow the wonders of the night to be visible even with the naked eye.
Although the Priory closes at 4 pm, the owners are happy for you to use the car park with views looking out into the Priory and up to Hatterall Hill. Because this location is on private land, it’s recommended that visitors contact the owners before arrival and stay within the designated area for stargazers. Find the Google Maps pin here.
5. Carreg Cennen
Overlooking the Riven Cennen, Carreg Cennen Castle was voted the most romantic ruin in Wales. Sitting on a huge limestone cliff, you will experience breathtaking views across the valley and one of the darkest skies in the region.
The sites are awe-inspiring as the ruined castle creates a silhouette against the starry skies. Again, it’s best to get in touch with the venue before your visit as the castle is accessible to stargazers by prior arrangement only.
6. Hay Bluff
Following the road over Gospel Pass from Llanthony to Hay-on-Wye will bring you to the car park for Hay Bluff. A prominent hill at the Northern tip of the Black Mountains, Hay Bluff overlooks the Wye Valley with spectacular views of the countryside.
The high landscape makes a fantastic spot for you to discover major constellations and bright nebulas with the help of a telescope. Find the Google Maps pin here.
Unfortunately, the only photo I could find that I was able to share here is on a cloudy night, but with a little imagination, you can see how Hay Bluff can be a great stargazing spot.
7. Usk Reservoir
Surrounded by the Glasfynnedd Forest, Usk Reservoir is one of the darkest and quietest sites for stargazing. The car park area is a beautiful place to have a picnic and enjoy a beautiful sunset before immersing yourself in outstanding dark skies.
You can walk out onto the dam itself and the large flat ground means it’s perfect for setting up a telescope. The area is protected from light pollution allowing you to see most of the major stars with the naked eye. Find the Google Maps pin here.
8. National Park Visitors Centre (Mountain Centre)
The National Park visitors centre or Mountain Centre is the most accessible area for stargazing. The centre is signposted from the village of Libanus and within an hour's drive from all of the South Wales valleys.
The Mountain Centre is a Dark Sky Discovery Site which means it's recognised as a place where anyone can stargaze. has an overnight parking facility to watch the stars until your heart's content
9. Pen Rhiw Ddu
Overlooking the darkness of Mid and West Wales, Pen Rhiw Ddu is a mountain situated near the town of Llandovery. From the summit, you can take in the sunset before returning to the car park to stargaze.
The mountain features an intact pre-historic stone grave called a Cairn. This site makes for spectacular atmospheric photographs in front of the starry night sky. Here is the Google Maps pin.
10. Plas Dolygaer
With its minimum light pollution, Play Dolygaer is a unique location for you to enjoy the dark skies of Wales. With both familiar and unique constellations visible with a telescope, you can see various objects such as Orion Nebula.
Plas Dolygaer was also awarded Dark Sky Discovery Site status which means ample overnight parking and possible toilet facilities. Find out more about it on a dedicated website here or find the Google Maps pin here.
11. Pontsticill Reservoir
My next recommended spot is Pontsticill Reservoir in the very south of the Brecon Beacons, not far from Merthyr Tydfil. The Pump House is a popular photography spot during the day, but it looks even better at night under the starry sky. Plus, it's one of the easiest spots since you can capture your photos from the roadside.
Although you can only make out a handful of stars in the image above by Richard Whitcombe, the highlight of the image is Comet Neowise caught soaring through the night sky. The image above was captured from the very southern point of the reservoir at this pin point.
12. Capel-y-Ffin
Going from Llanthony towards Hay-on-Wye is the small village of Capel-y-Ffin. With plenty of footpaths to follow, the village has a variety of places perfect for stargazing and is often featured on stargazing tours around the area.
Observe the night sky at one of the more atmospheric sites such as Capel-y-Ffin church where you can pause and reflect on the beauty of the heavens above. With binoculars and telescopes, you will be able to explore planets, galaxies, and star clusters. Find it on Google Maps here.
Where Can You Stay in Brecon for Stargazing?
Here are some of the best places to stay for stargazing:
- Aberyscir Coach House is a tranquil self-catering holiday cottage for two in the Central Brecon Beacons. With panoramic views and an outdoor seating area, it's a perfect base for stargazing.
ㅤ - Mountain View Glamping site offers quaint glamping pods overlooking the Black Mountains. Located on a working farm, each pod has an outdoor heated hot tub perfect for a romantic break.
ㅤ - Treetop Glamping Holiday in Hay-on-Wye hosts beautiful safari tents elevated on stilts. They offer tents that sleep between 2-5 people, making it a great place to stay for families. Outside the tent is a covered deck with seating and a separate fire pit area for BBQs.
ㅤ - Cambrian Escapes Luxury Holiday Cottages have 3 picturesque homes to choose from with two of them allowing dogs. Set in postcard cottage gardens, you will be able to spend starry nights sitting around the fire pit.
Related Questions
Is the Brecon Beacons a Dark Sky Reserve?
Yes, the Brecons Beacons National Park was made an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2012.
Can you see the Milky Way in Brecon?
Yes, on a clear night you can see the Milky Way from the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Published: 22 February 2023 · Last updated: 23 August 2023