The History and Heritage
of the Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons National Park has a long
history with evidence of Neolithic occupation by man dating from 5000BC.
Throughout the most rural areas are piles of stones marking cairns or burial
chambers which would have been constructed using a stone framework and then
covered with a mound of earth. Standing stones can also be found although their
purpose remains unclear but they could mark burial chambers of important chiefs
or simply be early direction markers – 2 are in perfect alignment: the 9’
Maen Madoc pillar stone on the Sarn Helen Roman Road and the Maen Llia at the
head of the Llia Valley.
There is evidence of ancient Iron Age hillforts dating from 600BC with clear remains at Garn Coch near Bethlehem, Llandeilo. Just a few miles west of Brecon was a further settlement at Pen y Crug Fort, Cradoc although it is likely this was seized following the Roman invasion of AD43 and succeeded by the Roman’s own fort, Y Gaer, on adjacent land. The tribes of the Beacons were thought to be powerful and put up greater resistance to the Romans over a 30-40 year period before the Romans finally conquered Wales and built a network of roads, including the high ‘Gap Road’ near the Neuadd reservoirs and the Sarn Helen road which can still be followed in parts, linking forts throughout the country. Sections of Y Gaer fort near Aberyscir can still be seen although there are few signs of the fort to the west of Trecastle. The Romans also mined for gold outside Llandovery at the Dolaucothi Gold Mines and developed their characteristic and elaborate aqueduct systems in the woodlands.
Following the departure of the
Romans around AD400 there were centuries of border strife between the Welsh and
English as the latter persisted in attempts to encroach onto Welsh lands and
simple timber motte and bailey castles were constructed to secure seized lands.
The Normans arrived, headed by William the Conqueror, in the 11th century and border strife continued. The timber castles were replaced by more substantial stone castles many of which remain today in varying conditions and states of repair. One of the best preserved is Carreg Cennen Castle built on a limestone outcrop guarding and enjoying views over the picturesque Cennen Valley.
