Brecon

Stone buildings cluster along narrow streets where the River Usk cuts through Wales' dramatic heartland. Brecon feels properly lived-in rather than touristy - locals still outnumber walkers on weekday mornings, though come weekend the boots and rucksacks appear in force.

The town serves as the unofficial capital of the Brecon Beacons, and rightly so. Step outside and you're surrounded by some of Wales' most spectacular peaks. Fan Frynych and Fan Fraith rise to the south like ancient sentinels, while Craig Cerrig-gleisiad dominates the eastern skyline. For serious hikers, the Craig Cerrig Gleisiad a Fan Frynych National Nature Reserve offers challenging terrain and cracking views across the valleys.

Brecon's compact centre rewards a proper wander. St Ilid's Church anchors the old quarter, its weathered stones telling centuries of local history. The high street mixes independent shops with practical amenities - this isn't a place that's forgotten its working roots for the tourist trade.

Getting here couldn't be simpler. The A470 runs straight through town, connecting Brecon to Merthyr Tydfil in the south and Builth Wells to the north. Regular bus services link to Cardiff and Swansea, though having your own transport opens up the surrounding countryside properly.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're within striking distance of multiple peaks including Twyn Dylluan-ddu and Fan Bwlch Chwyth, yet close enough to nip into town for supplies or a proper meal. The surrounding valleys offer everything from gentle riverside walks to serious mountain challenges, all radiating out from this unpretentious market town that's earned its stripes as a walker's base camp.