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The attractive country town of Crickhowell is well located
in the eastern part of the Brecon Beacons National Park halfway between Abergavenny and
Brecon on the A40. This historic town is dominated on one side by the magnificent
Llangattock Escarpment and the other Pen Cerrig Calch towering above the town. Many
walking routes in the Black Mountains can be easily reached from Crickhowell.
But in addition to its scenic and architectural splendour
Crickhowell's appeal to the visitor and local alike lies in its range of excellent eating
establishments. As such it may compare with Kinsale in Southern Ireland as a Gourmet
Centre. In fact I would describe it as the Gourmet Centre of Wales. If Hay on Wye has a
world-wide reputation as a town of books and Brecon a similar reputation for Jazz then
Crickhowell
must be well placed to establish a similar reputation as a centre of world class standard
for Good Food.
It seems to me that Crickhowell has the range and quality
of good food eating establishments to be regarded as the "Gourmet Centre of
Wales". For a small town it has a surprising number of establishments which offer
good food and from my experience (and this is fundamental) food of a consistently
good standard. A number of the smaller villages near to Crickhowell also have public
houses which offer good food as an essential part of their commercial survival and as a
service
to visitors.
In fact I cannot think of any country locale anywhere else in Wales which has
so many places to choose from so close together. It even has a fish and chip shop open on
a Sunday and until recently a former temperance cafe opening long hours and much
frequented by walkers. From Taste of Wales specialties to local Lamb to unusual bar
snacks Crickhowell has much to offer the discerning palate and the hungry hill walker.
are many bridges that cross the
River Usk as it flows through the Brecon Beacons National Park but arguably none
are more remarkable than the one that connects Crickhowell with Llangynidr.
This single lane bridge originally dating from the 16th century was
substantially rebuilt in 1706. It has 13 arches but is celebrated for an
illusion that fools only the most cursory of observers which suggests that from
one side there are only 12 arches.
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The following is a list of some of the establishments in or near to Crickhowell
which are well worth a visit (at the time of writing) to sample their excellent
fare. It is worth noting that there are many good eating places scattered
elsewhere throughout the Brecon Beacons that are well worth researching. This listing is does not constitute in any way an
endorsement of the quality or otherwise of the establishment concerned.
Morning Star Inn The Bwlch, Powys,
LD 3 7RQ Bwlch (01874) 730080
Beaufort Arms The Beaufort St
Powys, NP 8 1AD Crickhowell (01873) 810402
Bear Hotel High St Crickhowell Powys NP8
1BW *Tel: 01873 810408
Dragon House Hotel High St Crickhowell
Powys NP8 1BE *Tel: 01873 810362
Gliffaes Country House Hotel Crickhowell
Powys NP8 1RH *Tel: 01874 730371
Old Rectory Hotel The Llangattock
Crickhowell Powys NP8 1PH *Tel: 01873 810373
Stables Hotel Llangattock Crickhowell
Powys NP8 1LE *Tel: 01873 810244
The
Kestrel Inn Brecon Road , Crickhowell Powys , Wales.
Tel (01874) 730261
Fax (01874)730881
Ty Croeso Hotel & Restaurant
Linda Jarrett & Pavel Vitek
The Dardy
Crickhowell
Powys NP8 1PU
tel. 01873 810573
Ty Croeso Restaurant is listed by Les Routiers and has been awarded an AA
rosette AA** WTB*** & Green Dragon Award
Mountain &
Water, Summer Days Out Canoeing and Kayaking Climbing and Abseiling Caving
River Gorge Adventure Corporate and Team-Building Schools and Youth Groups Riverside Business
Centre,
New Rd Crickhowell
Powys NP8 1AY Tel: 01873 811887 info@mountainandwater.co.uk |
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