Brecon Beacons to Ludlow

After a night's stay in Cardiff, we headed northward into the area of Wales known as the Brecon Beacons.
The Brecon Beacons is a national park, a lovely area of mountains, forests and moorlands.

After driving for a while, usually an hour or two, we stopped for a break. This gives us the opportunity to get out of the bus and stretch our legs. Here we stopped at small but charming inn called the Baron's Cross to get a mid-morning bite to eat. It has a nice view of the surrounding countryside.

Much of the Brecon Beacons consists of high open country with smooth, grassy slopes on a bedrock of red sandstone. It is easy to see why visitors come here to enjoymany outdoor pursuits, from fishing to pony trekking; cave exploring to hiking along its many trails.

Castell Coch a restored Neo-Gothic style castle.

Ludlow"s Broadstreet, with its small shops and lovely half-timbered tudor buildings.

Some good examples of the tudor style of building include these shops in the town center.

Cannon with red bricked half-timbered building behind it.

The inner bailey of Ludlow Castle. Built in 1086, it was damaged in the Civil War and abandoned in 1689.

Prince Arthur , elder brother of Henry VIII, died at Ludlow Castle in 1502. His heart is buried in St Lawrence Church at the other end of Castle Square.

The gardens around Ludlow Castle. In early summer open-air performances of Shakespeare's plays are held within the castle walls.

The outer walls of Ludlow Castle.