Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
church and very visitor-friendly; seven information points provide information about key
features.
At the western end of the nave, just inside the door, is a stone cresset (an ancient light-
ing device), the only one in Wales; the 30 cups were filled with oil and lit to illuminate
dark corners or steps. To the north is the Harvard Chapel, the regimental chapel of the
South Wales Borderers, draped with banners from the Zulu wars.
10am-4.30pm Mon-Sat)
, cafe and gift shop housed in a restored 15th-century tithe barn. The
cathedral hosts regular choral concerts.
Brecknock Museum
MUSEUM
& Art Gallery
(
www.powys.gov.uk
;
Captain's Walk)
Behind the stolid neoclassical exterior of the former shire
hall is the town's museum, currently undergoing a significant restoration and due to re-
open in 2015. When it reopens, you'll be able to see a 1200-year-old dugout canoe found
at Llangorse Lake, alongside exhibits on the archaeology, history and natural history of
the Brecon area. There's also a strong collection of local art.
South Wales
Borderers Museum
( 01874-613310;
http://royalwelsh.org.uk
; The Barracks, The Watton; adult/child £4/free; 10am-5pm Mon-Fri
year-round, 10am-4pm Sat Easter-Sep)
This regimental museum commemorates the history of the
Royal Regiment of Wales, which is based in Brecon. Many of the soldiers are Gurkhas,
often to be seen in their civvies around the town. The highlight is the Zulu War Room -
the regiment's predecessor fought in the 1879 Anglo-Zulu war in South Africa, inspira-
tion for the 1964 film
Zulu
starring Michael Caine. The collection of artefacts recalls the
defence of Rorke's Drift, when 150 Welsh soldiers held out against 4000 Zulu warriors.
MUSEUM
Activities
Brecon is the northern terminus of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, built between
1799 and 1812 for the movement of coal, iron ore, limestone and agricultural goods. The
33 miles from Brecon to Pontypool is back in business, transporting a generally less grimy
