Castle Accommodation Cave Dwellers Wales Tourist Attractions

The National Showcaves Centre for Wales

The National Showcaves Centre is one of the most popular attractions in the western Beacons. It's principal attraction is the limestone caves Dan-yr-Ogof, Bone Cave (Ogof-yr-Esgym) and Cathedral Cave which are enhanced by interpretive displays using lifesize models and "son et lumiere" tours. Dan-yr-Ogof was first discovered by brothers Jeff and Tommy Morgan in 1912 who squeezed through a tiny passage and entered the cave for the first time. Their progress was halted by a lake which they eventually crossed by coracle. Since then cavers have continued exploring the caves and passages and have discovered a 10 mile long cave system; there are claims that this could eventually reach 100 miles! You don't have to go the whole 10 miles to see the natural formations of stalactites, stalagmites and chambers to discover its history. There are interpretative displays and audio visual tours reliving the initial discovery by the local famring brothers telling you how the brothers lit their way with candles and plotted their route by drawing arrows in the sand.

Bone Cave (Ogof-yr-Esgym) was the first cave that attracted cavers and archaeologists to the area. It's name is due to the discovery of 42 human skeletons, many dating back over 3,000 years to the bronze age, that were found here during the first excavation period 1938-1950. The oldest bones are those of red deer that are believed to be over 7000 years old. Over 10,000 archaeological finds have also been discovered here including pottery, coins, iron, bronze and silver rings. The cave is now home to exhibits illustrating man's involvement with caves and the animals that were once found in caves.

Cathedral Cave was discovered by cavers in 1963 after South Wales Caving Club blasted their way through boulders at the end of a small tunnel-like cave that had been known for many years. On the other side they climbed into a massive cave passage decorated with thousands of delicate cave formations such as the straw stalactites, delicate tubes of calcite through which water drips. You can take the tour through one of Britain's largest showcave passages where you can see different naturally formed features like "The Organ Pipes" and "The Passage" along with spooky looking models of cave dwellers detailing different aspects of cave life. The end of the tour opens out into the stunning "Dome of St Paul's" with its lake fed by two 40 ft waterfalls that tumble through the rock. You can even get married here - which has got to be one of the most unique venues in the country.

This is a fantastic family day out with something for everyone. In addition to the caves there is also a reconstructed Iron Age village, full-size replicas of stone circles that were erected to mark the millenium, a Dinosaur Park with life-size dinosaurs (it maks you look twice seeing dinosaurs climbing up the welsh hillside!), a museum, Barney Owl's Adventure Playground, The Shire Horse Centre and farm where you can walkabout with farmyard animals and see reconstructions of traditional welsh farming life. The National Showcaves attraction is open 7 days a week from 1 April (or easter) until November. They're open at 10.00 am with last admittance at 3.00 pm (this can vary during high season). To check the latest details call the 24 hour information line: 01639 730801. Entrance fees in 2006 were: Adult £10, Children £6.50. You can buy tickets for all attrractions or just for the caves. Check out their fantastic website for more details. You need to open this in Internet Explorer and make sure you've got the sound on to get the best from the interactive tours.

Ogof Ffynnon Ddu National Nature Reserve

Ogof Ffynnon Ddu (Cave of the Black Spring) was the first National Nature Reserve designated specifically to conserve a cave system. It is found 4 kilometres east of Craig-y-Nos at Penwyllt, just off the A4067. This was once a thriving village with its own railway station, post office and public house which grew up around the limestone quarry here. Ogof Ffynnon Ddu is one of the largest cave systems in Britain 300 metres deep with 40 kilometres of explored passages. A stream runs through the cave and it is here that some very rare crustaceans have been found. Other rare species are the herald moth and tissue moth. Visiting the caves requires a permit from the Countryside Council for Wales, the rest of the Nature Reserve is open to the public.

Due to the interesting rock types, limestone and millstone grit, there is an array of interesting wildlife above ground. Species-rich grassland covers the limestone pavement and scree. Several uncommon plant species can be found here including mountain everlasting, soft-leaved sedge, limestone bedstraw, autumn gentian, mossy saxifrage and small scabious. In the cracks in the limestone pavement, the grikes, there are relic woodland species that escape being grazed by the sheep such as green spleenwort, lily-of-the-valley, mountain melick and lesser meadow-rue. There is now a large area of limestone pavement fenced off to control the effects of grazing so that the plants can grow unhindered. In complete contrast to the limestone flora, species-poor heathland has developed on the peat that has formed on the millstone grit where heather is the dominant plant.

Other species found on the reserve are bats that hibernate in the caves and blanched trout that can sometimes be seen in the cave stream. Several bird species have been recorded such as cuckoo, skylark, ring ousel, wheatear, meadow pipit. Ravens nest nearby and are often seen flying over the reserve. Several birds of prey have been seen hunting over the reserve including buzzard, peregrine, kestrel, merlin and occasionally hen harrier, short-eared owl, and red kite. Ten species of butterfly have been recorded including the small heath and the grayling.

Carreg Cennan Castle

Carreg Cennan Castle is a striking 13th century fortress set on top of a natural rocky crag. It has to be one of the most imposing castles around as it stands high above the otherwise rolling green landscape. It is four and a half miles south east of Llandelio on a minor road off the A483.

Archaeological evidence suggests that prehistoric peoples and the Romans first occupied the site. Although, the castle that remains today was started by the Welsh Princes of Deheubarth, what remains today is largely down to Edward I as part of his ambitious medieval castle building & renovation project.

There's a bit of a steep climb to reach the castle, but the views of the countryside and the Black Mountain are well worth it. Check out the links to the right for more detail on the actual features of the castle, but one unique feature worth a look is the natural limestone cave beneath the castle. Take a torch if you plan on exploring.