Y Gaer Museum, Art Gallery & Library

The converted Victorian schoolhouse on Brecon's high street holds more than you'd expect from its modest exterior. Y Gaer Museum, Art Gallery & Library is a proper local institution - three things under one roof, which means you're not just looking at dusty artefacts but actual contemporary art and a functioning library space. The museum bit covers the town's history and the Brecon Beacons landscape, while the gallery rotates shows that tend to be worth a look if you're into Welsh artists and craftwork.

It's not the sort of place you'll spend half a day in unless you're genuinely into local heritage or happen to catch an exhibition that grabs you. Most visitors give it an hour, maybe ninety minutes if they're thorough. That said, it works brilliantly as a rainy-day stop or a mid-morning breather when you're exploring Brecon itself. The staff are helpful and the building's quite charming once you step inside.

If you're based at one of the nearby campsites - Cefn Cantref is just 1.3 miles away, or Pencelli Castle a shade further out - Y Gaer slots naturally into a morning in town before you head out to the Beacons for a walk. Woodland Park Glamping, up at 4.1 miles, gives you a bolthole that's closer to nature but still within easy reach of Brecon's shops and this museum. Check locally for opening hours and current exhibitions before you go; these smaller venues can shift their schedules with the seasons.