Camping In The Brecon Beacons [2023]: Wild Camping, Best Campsites, Tips & More!

With fresh air, great hiking trails and some of the UK’s finest scenery, it’s little surprise camping in the Brecon Beacons is a popular holiday for many who travel to this rural part of Wales. An enchanting area with stunning scenery, the Brecon Beacons is also home to many quaint churches, castles, and stately homes.

There are several campsites situated in and around the Brecon Beacons National Park – we recommend some of our tried and tested favourites in this article.

Wild camping in the Brecon Beacons is also possible, and the area has some beautiful wild camping spots. (Related: The Best Waterfalls in Wales).

However the fact is wild camping is technically illegal in Wales. Although it is usually tolerated when campers abide by a certain set of rules – we outline those further down in this article too.

But first, here’s a few of our favourite campsites in the Brecon Beacons. Not only do they all have spots for tents, campervans, and caravans, but they also all have great views and many activities near them.

The Best Campsites In The Brecon Beacons For Fun, Views & Adventure!

1. Aberbran Fawr

This little campsite makes our list because of it’s tranquil and peaceful nature. It truly is one of the best places to relax in the Brecon Beacons, and best of all, it’s still not very well known so is something of a hidden gem!

Sat in four acres and located on a farm, there’s many animals to say hello to. You can either choose a pitch in the meadow which feels private, secluded and is flanked by wildflowers. Or choose a riverbank pitch so you can look out on the pretty River Usk.

Aberbran Fawr has all the shared facilities you’d expect at a campsite. But they also have free hot water for the showers, a children’s playground and best of all, they have a pick your own fruit and veg area in the summer! This is definitely one of the best campsites in the Brecon Beacons for children and families.

Only 3km from the historic cathedral town of Brecon, it’s also a great place to be based to explore the surrounding region.

In fact there’s several hiking trails and a wonderful canal walk near to this campsite too, and several pubs and restaurants close by.

Price: From £10 per night

Address: Aberbran Fawr, Aberbran, Brecon LD3 9NG

2. Brecon Beacons Camping & Caravan Park

Set deep in the middle of the Brecon Beacons, this campsite and caravan park not only has fantastic facilities, but also has great views of the surrounding hills.

It’s also situated at the National Showcaves Center for Wales, so you’ll be camping right beside an incredible 17km long cave system that you can explore.

The sites are green and spacious, the shared facilities are well maintained, and there’s also free WiFi. The prices are very affordable and included is electric hookups, grey water outlets and water. Plus there’s no extra cost for dogs or awnings. That’s what we like about this place – no hidden costs.

As it’s located in the heart of the Brecons, this tree lined campsite has many great walks nearby – you can see some of the best in this book. But it’s also close to pubs and restaurants.

And after a morning’s walk why not grab a drink at their coffee shop and enjoy the serenity of this place. It’s the perfect spot if you’re looking for a peaceful Brecon Beacons camping experience.

Price: From £10 per night

Address: National Showcaves Centre for Wales, Abercraf, Swansea, SA9 1GJ

3. Priory Mill Farm

This campsite may just take the title of our favourite campsite in the Brecon Beacons. Why?

Well camping here is like going back 300 years as the riverside camping spots are overlooked by a Grade II listed mill that is centuries old. That mill looks better every year too, as it’s being slowly restored by the campsite owners.

Priory Mill Farm is set in a beautiful part of the Brecon Beacons, and they like to make sure campers get the chance to really enjoy the sounds of nature while staying here. There’s no children under 13 allowed, no dogs permitted (they chased the chickens too much!), and they ask for quiet from 10:30pm onwards.

Their riverside meadow pitches are spacious and set in gorgeous surroundings, and while the facilities are basic, there’s everything you need for a camping stay.

One big plus point to staying here is the fact the town of Brecon is just a ten-minute walk away. So not only do you get a rural camping experience, you’re also just minutes away from enjoying a meal and some lively entertainment at one of Brecon’s pubs!

Price: From £10 per night

Address: Hay Rd, Brecon LD3 7SR

4. Talybont Farm

If you’ve read any of our previous camping guides, you will know that we love campsites based on working farms! They are usually great places for kids to explore and learn about rural life, as well as meet many friendly animals.

Talybont Farm is no exception thanks to its many creatures big and small, but this isn’t just a campsite perfect for children. There are four pubs close by, as well as golf to keep adults happy, and sailing on Llangorse Lake nearby as well.

The pitches are some of the most generous in the Brecon Beacons, and the facilities are modern and clean.

On top of that there’s direct access to several walking, hiking and cycling routes, while we’ve found the sky-gazing opportunities at night here to be something special.

Price: From £23 for a family

Address: The Farmhouse, Talybont-on-Usk, Powys, LD3 7YJ

Wild Camping In The Brecon Beacons: Everything You Need To Know

DISCLAIMER: Below we give general advice, but we always recommend staying in an official campsite. If you choose to go wild camping/dispersed camping, then make sure you do so with someone who already knows the area where you’re planning on camping for your own safety.

Wild camping in the Brecon Beacons is technically illegal, however many people still do it. But if you are camping on private land in the area and you have permission from the landowner, it is legal.

The good news though, is that there is a long tradition of wild camping in the Brecon Beacons, so it’s often tolerated when campers treat the land well, and stick to the following set of guidelines:

• You should camp in the same place for one night only, and pitch your tent discretely and in a remote place. Therefore don’t camp in or near settlements, someone’s farm or on cultivated land. If you think you’re on private land, always seek out the landowner and ask permission.

• Campers should set up their tent at dusk, and take it down at dawn. A tent that is discreet, blends in with the landscape, and pitches quickly is best. Therefore a lightweight walking and hiking tent like this one would be a great investment for someone planning to wild camp in the Brecon Beacons.

• Take any rubbish with you, and leave your camping spot the way you found it.

• If you are walking a main trail, make sure you choose to camp in a place that won’t be in any other hiker’s or walker’s way.

• When wild camping in the Brecon Beacons you must never make a campfire. You might want to think about bringing a storm cooker with you for cooking. They tend to be safe, and are often fine to use – but you should check local laws first. The Swedish brand Trangia make fantastic storm cookers that are virtually indestructible. Portable solar ovens, like this one by GoSun, are also a good fuel-less option.

Below are some of our top tips for camping in the Brecon Beacons!

Tips For Camping In The Brecon Beacons

• A good Brecon Beacons map, like this one, could help you plan your perfect wild camping spot. Remember it must be far from settlements and be rural.

• Heavy rain can happen in the Brecon Beacons even during the holiday season. Make sure you have a rainproof tent that can survive a thunderstorm. A lightweight one-man walking tent like this or similar would be perfect. For a good value tent that fits more than one person, this mosquito-proof one would work well too.

• Keep an eye out for animal poo – if there’s a lot near your perfect camping spot, you may end up being woken up by some enthusiastic animals at 3am!

• There are many water sources in the Brecon Beacons but remember to always have plenty of water on you when you’re walking. A space-saving collapsible water bottle would be a good purchase.

• If wild camping, when going to the toilet you should do it at least 30 meters from water sources, such as rivers and lakes. Make sure to use a trowel (like this folding one) to bury any human waste – don’t just leave it out in the open.

• Like many rugged and wild rural areas around the world, there are flora and fauna to be aware of. So read up and make sure you know what to expect in the region or area you are planning to wild camp in.

Recommended For Your Trip To The Brecon Beacons

Tempted to go camping elsewhere? Check out our guides to camping in, Estonia, Finland, the New Forest, Norway, Patagonia, Pyrenees and many others!