Brecon Beacons: Difference between revisions

Brecon Beacons
Brecon Beacons
Bannau Brycheiniog (Welsh)
	Part of the Brecon Beacons range, looking from Cribyn to Pen y Fan and Corn Du
Highest point
Peak	Pen y Fan
Elevation	886 m (2,907 ft)
Coordinates	51°53′00″N 3°26′13″W / 51.88328°N 3.43684°W
Geography
Location	Powys
Countries	Wales, United Kingdom
Geology
Rock age	Devonian
Rock type	Sedimentary

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The Brecon Beacons (Welsh: Bannau Brycheiniog; [ˈbanai̯ brəˈχei̯njɔɡ] ^ⓘ^[1]) are a mountain range in Wales. The range includes South Wales's highest mountain, Pen y Fan (886 metres (2,907 ft)),^[2] its twin summit Corn Du (873 metres (2,864 ft)),^[3] and Craig Gwaun Taf (826 metres (2,710 ft)),^[4] which are the three highest peaks in the range. The Brecon Beacons have given their name to the larger Brecon Beacons National Park, and the range itself is therefore sometimes known as the Central Beacons to differentiate the two.

Toponymy

The name Bannau Brycheiniog is first attested in the sixteenth century, and 'Brecon Beacons' first occurs in the eighteenth century as "Brecknock Beacons".^[5] Bannau Brycheiniog derives from the Welsh bannau, "peaks", and Brycheiniog, the name of an early medieval kingdom which covered the area.^[6] The English name is derived from the Welsh one; in the eleventh century the town of Brecon is recorded as 'Brecheniauc', which became "Brecknock" and "Brecon".^[7]

In a paragraph on Brecknockshire, John Leland's 1536–1539 Itinerary notes that:

Blak Montayne is most famose, for he strecchith, as I have lerned, his rootes on one side within a iiii. or v. myles of Monemuth, and on the other side as nere to Cairmerdin (Carmarthen). Though this be al one montayne, yet many partes of him have sundry names.

Leland ascribes the name "Banne Brekeniauc" to the hills surrounding "Artures Hille" (Pen y Fan), also calling the range the "Banne Hilles".^[8]

The term "Brecknock Beacons" was used in the eighteenth century and referred to the area around Pen y Fan, which was itself sometimes called 'the (Brecknock) Beacon'. For instance, Emanuel Bowen's A New and accurate map of South Wales (1729) labels the peak as 'The Vann or Brecknock Beacon', John Clark's 1794 General View of the Agriculture of the County of Brecknock refers to 'the Vann, or Brecknock Beacon, the undisputed sovereign of all the mountains in South Wales', and an 1839 tithe map of Cantref parish labels the mountain simply 'Beacon'.^[9]^[10]^[11] A slightly wider definition was used in 1809 by the Breconshire historian Theophilus Jones, who wrote that 'of the lofty summits of the Brecknock Beacons, that most southwards is the lowest, and the other two nearly of a height, they are sometimes called Cader Arthur or Arthur's chair'.^[12] This implies that "Brecknock Beacons" referred to only three summits, including Pen y Fan and Corn Du.

To distinguish the Brecons Beacons range from the national park, the range is sometimes called the "Central Beacons".^[13]^[14]

Geography

The Brecon Beacons comprises six main peaks, which from west to east are: Corn Du, 873 metres (2,864 ft); Pen y Fan, the highest peak, 886 metres (2,907 ft); Cribyn, 795 metres (2,608 ft); Fan y Bîg, 719 metres (2,359 ft); Bwlch y Ddwyallt, 754 metres (2,474 ft); and Waun Rydd, 769 metres (2,523 ft). These summits form a long ridge, and the sections joining the first four form a horseshoe shape around the head of the Taf Fechan, which flows away to the southeast. To the northeast of the ridge, interspersed with long parallel spurs, are four cirques (Welsh: cymoedd, sing. cwm) or round-headed valleys; from west to east these are Cwm Sere, Cwm Cynwyn, Cwm Oergwm and Cwm Cwareli.

The Brecon Beacons range, Fforest Fawr, and Black Mountain form a continuous massif of high ground above 300 metres (1000 feet). The A470 road forms an approximate boundary between the central Beacons and Fforest Fawr.

National park

The Brecon Beacons National Park was established in 1957,^[15] the third of the three Welsh parks after Snowdonia in 1951^[16] and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in 1952.^[17] It covers an area of 519 square miles (1,340 km²), which is much larger than the Brecon Beacons range. Over half of the park is in the south of Powys; the remainder of the park is split between northwestern Monmouthshire, eastern Carmarthenshire, northern Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil, and very small areas of Blaenau Gwent, and Torfaen.

Brecon Mountain Railway

A railway with narrow gauge trains is run by the Brecon Mountain Railway. The railway is a 1 ft 11+3⁄4 in (603 mm) narrow gauge tourist railway on the south side of the Brecon Beacons range. It climbs northwards from Pant along the full length of the Pontsticill Reservoir (also called 'Taf Fechan' reservoir by Welsh Water) and continues past the adjoining Pentwyn Reservoir to Torpantau railway station. The railway's starting point at Pant is located two miles (3 km) north of Merthyr Tydfil town centre.

Military training

The Brecon Beacons are used for training members of the UK armed forces and military reservists. The Army’s Infantry Battle School is located at Brecon,^[18] and the Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service use the area to test the fitness of applicants.^[19]^[20] An exercise unique to the area is the 'Fan dance', which takes place on Pen y Fan.^[21] In July 2013 three soldiers died from overheating or heatstroke on an SAS selection exercise. An army captain had been found dead on Corn Du earlier in the year after training in freezing weather for the SAS.^[18]

References

^ "How to pronounce Bannau Brycheiniog and Eryri". 17 April 2023.
^ "Hills and mountains". Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
^ "A Guide to Climbing Corn DU and Pen y Fan Mountains - ViewBritain.com". 17 April 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
^ Ltd, Copyright The mountain Guide-A.-Connect. "Craig Gwaun Taf (Duwynt) | Wales". UK mountain Guide. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
^ Owen, Hywel Wyn; Morgan, Richard (2007). Dictionary of the Place-Names of Wales. Llandysul: Gomer. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-84323-901-7. OCLC 191731809.
^ Owen, Hywel Wyn; Morgan, Richard (2007). Dictionary of the Place-Names of Wales. Llandysul: Gomer. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-84323-901-7. OCLC 191731809.
^ Mills, A. D. (1 January 2011), "Brecon", A Dictionary of British Place Names, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780199609086.001.0001, ISBN 978-0-19-960908-6, retrieved 9 June 2023
^ Smith, Lucy Toulmin, ed. (1906). The Itinerary in Wales of John Leland in or about the years 1536–9. London: George Bell and Sons. pp. 104, 106, 110.
^ Bowen, Emanuel (1729). "A New and accurate map of South Wales containing the counties of Pembroke, Glamorgan, Carmarthen, Brecknock, Cardigan and Radnor wherein are exactly laid down and delineated from an actual survey and admeasurement all the towns, villages, churches, chaples, gentlemen's seats". National Library of Wales. Archived from the original on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
^ Clark, John (1794). General View of the Agriculture of the County of Brecknock. London. p. 9. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
^ "Plan of the parish of Cantref in the County of Brecon". People's Collection Wales. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
^ Jones, Theophilus (1809). A History of the County of Brecknock. Vol. II.I. Brecknock. p. 388. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
^ "Central Beacons". European Atlantic Geoparks Route. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
^ "Five great places to walk in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park". VisitWales. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
^ "A short history". Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
^ "The Authority's History". Park Authority. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
^ "Coastal Features". Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
^ ^a ^b Farmer, Ben (14 July 2013). "Two soldiers die in heat while training in Brecon Beacons". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
^ Farmer, Ben (2 July 2014). "No SAS manslaughter charges over Brecon Beacons deaths". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
^ "SBS - Selection". www.eliteukforces.info. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
^ "BBC Radio 4 Extra - Gone to Earth, 1. The Fan Dance". BBC. Retrieved 9 June 2023.

External links

Tourist Information Brecon Beacons Park, Official Brecon Beacons Tourism Association

[1] "How to pronounce Bannau Brycheiniog and Eryri". 17 April 2023.

[2] "Hills and mountains". Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. Retrieved 19 November 2023.

[3] "A Guide to Climbing Corn DU and Pen y Fan Mountains - ViewBritain.com". 17 April 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2023.

[4] Ltd, Copyright The mountain Guide-A.-Connect. "Craig Gwaun Taf (Duwynt) | Wales". UK mountain Guide. Retrieved 19 November 2023.

[:0-5] Owen, Hywel Wyn; Morgan, Richard (2007). Dictionary of the Place-Names of Wales. Llandysul: Gomer. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-84323-901-7. OCLC 191731809.

[Gomer-6] Owen, Hywel Wyn; Morgan, Richard (2007). Dictionary of the Place-Names of Wales. Llandysul: Gomer. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-84323-901-7. OCLC 191731809.

[7] Mills, A. D. (1 January 2011), "Brecon", A Dictionary of British Place Names, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780199609086.001.0001, ISBN 978-0-19-960908-6, retrieved 9 June 2023

[8] Smith, Lucy Toulmin, ed. (1906). The Itinerary in Wales of John Leland in or about the years 1536–9. London: George Bell and Sons. pp. 104, 106, 110.

[9] Bowen, Emanuel (1729). "A New and accurate map of South Wales containing the counties of Pembroke, Glamorgan, Carmarthen, Brecknock, Cardigan and Radnor wherein are exactly laid down and delineated from an actual survey and admeasurement all the towns, villages, churches, chaples, gentlemen's seats". National Library of Wales. Archived from the original on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2023.

[10] Clark, John (1794). General View of the Agriculture of the County of Brecknock. London. p. 9. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.

[11] "Plan of the parish of Cantref in the County of Brecon". People's Collection Wales. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.

[:1-12] Jones, Theophilus (1809). A History of the County of Brecknock. Vol. II.I. Brecknock. p. 388. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.

[Central_Beacons-13] "Central Beacons". European Atlantic Geoparks Route. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2023.

[14] "Five great places to walk in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park". VisitWales. Retrieved 17 July 2023.

[15] "A short history". Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. Retrieved 19 November 2023.

[16] "The Authority's History". Park Authority. Retrieved 19 November 2023.

[17] "Coastal Features". Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Retrieved 19 November 2023.

[telegraphheatdeaths-18] Farmer, Ben (14 July 2013). "Two soldiers die in heat while training in Brecon Beacons". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.

[telegraphnocharge-19] Farmer, Ben (2 July 2014). "No SAS manslaughter charges over Brecon Beacons deaths". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.

[20] "SBS - Selection". www.eliteukforces.info. Retrieved 9 June 2023.

[21] "BBC Radio 4 Extra - Gone to Earth, 1. The Fan Dance". BBC. Retrieved 9 June 2023.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|Region and national park in south Wales}}
+{{Short description|Mountain range in Wales}}
+{{Hatnote group|
+{{redirect|Bannau Brycheiniog|the national park, now also known as "Bannau Brycheiniog"|Brecon Beacons National Park}}
 {{other uses}}
+}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
+{{Infobox mountain
+| fetchwikidata = NONE
-{{Infobox protected area
-|name=Brecon Beacons National Park<br/>Bannau Brycheiniog National Park<br />
+| name = Brecon Beacons
-|alt_name={{native name|cy|Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog}}
+| other_name = {{native name|cy|Bannau Brycheiniog}}
+| photo = View from Cribyn to Pen Y Fan - geograph.org.uk - 3447271 (cropped).jpg
-|iucn_category=V
+| photo_caption = Part of the Brecon Beacons range, looking from [[Cribyn (mountain)|Cribyn]] to [[Pen y Fan]] and [[Corn Du]]
-|iucn_ref=
+| country = [[Wales]], [[United Kingdom]]
-<!-- images -->
+| geology = [[Sedimentary rock|Sedimentary]]
-|photo=Brecon beacons arp.jpg
+| age = [[Devonian]]
-|photo_caption=Part of the Brecon Beacons range, looking from [[Pen y Fan]] to [[Cribyn (mountain)|Cribyn]]
+| highest = [[Pen y Fan]]
-<!-- map -->
+| elevation = 886 m (2,907 ft)
-|map=United Kingdom Brecon Beacons
+| coordinates = {{coord|51.88328|-3.43684|region:GB-POW_type:mountain|display=inline,title}}
-|map_image=United Kingdom Brecon Beacons
+| location = [[Powys]]
-|map_size=
-|map_caption=Map of the national park
-|relief=
-<!-- location -->
-|location=South [[Wales]], United Kingdom
-|nearest_city=
-|nearest_town=
-|coordinates={{Coord|51|53|N|3|26|W|region:GB-WLS_type:mountain|display=inline,title}}
-|coords_ref=
-<!-- stats -->
-|length=
-|length_mi=
-|length_km=
-|width=
-|width_mi=
-|width_km=
-|area_km2=1344
-|area_ref=
-|elevation=
-|elevation_avg=
-|elevation_min=
-|elevation_max=[[Pen y Fan]], 886m (2,907 ft)
-|dimensions=
-|designation=
-<!-- dates & info -->
-|authorized=
-|created=
-|designated=
-|established=1957
-|named_for=
-|visitation_num=
-|visitation_year=
-|visitation_ref=
-|governing_body=Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority
-|administrator=
-|operator=
-|owner=
-<!-- website, embedded -->
-|website={{official website|https://bannau.wales/}}
-|embedded=
 }}
-The '''Brecon Beacons''', or '''Bannau Brycheiniog''' ({{IPA-cy|ˈbanai̯ brəˈχei̯njɔɡ||Bannau_Brycheiniog.wav|IPA}}), <ref>https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/how-pronounce-bannau-brycheiniog-eryri-26713083</ref> is a mountainous region and national park in Wales. The name 'Brecon Beacons' was originally applied only to the mountain range south of [[Brecon]], [[Powys]], which is now also known as the Central Beacons. The range includes South Wales' highest mountain, [[Pen y Fan]] ({{Convert|886|m|ft}}),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hills and mountains |url=https://www.breconbeacons.org/things-to-do/attractions/natural/hills-mountains |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales |language=en-US}}</ref> its twin summit [[Corn Du]] ({{Convert|873|m|ft}}),<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-17 |title=A Guide to Climbing Corn DU and Pen y Fan Mountains - ViewBritain.com |url=https://viewbritain.com/wales/a-guide-to-climbing-corn-du-and-pen-y-fan-mountains/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[Craig Gwaun Taf]] ({{Convert|826|m|ft}}),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ltd |first=Copyright The mountain Guide-A.-Connect |title=Craig Gwaun Taf (Duwynt) {{!}} Wales |url=https://www.themountainguide.co.uk/wales/craig-gwaun-taf.htm |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=UK mountain Guide |language=en}}</ref> which are the three highest peaks in the range.
-The Brecon Beacons range and [[Fforest Fawr]] uplands form the central section of the national park, which has a total area of {{Convert|1344|km2|sqmi}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brecon Beacons National Park {{!}} VisitWales |url=https://www.visitwales.com/attraction/country-park/brecon-beacons-national-park-1444213 |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=www.visitwales.com}}</ref> To the east are the [[Black Mountains, Wales|Black Mountains]], which extend beyond the national park boundary into England, and to the west is the similarly named but distinct [[Black Mountain (range)|Black Mountain]] range. These ranges share much of the same basic geology, the southerly dip of the rock strata leading to north-facing escarpments. The highest peak of the Black Mountains is [[Waun Fach]] ({{Convert|811|m|ft}}),<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Black Mountains Magic |url=http://www.blackmountainswalking.co.uk/the-black-mountains-magic |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Black Mountains Walking |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[Fan Brycheiniog]] ({{Convert|802.5|m|ft}})<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fan Brycheiniog {{!}} Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales {{!}} Attractions |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/wales/fforest-fawr-black-mountain/attractions/fan-brycheiniog/a/poi-sig/1491284/1334391 |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Lonely Planet |language=en}}</ref> is the highest of the Black Mountain.
+The '''Brecon Beacons''' (<!-- This is about the range, the name change applies to the national park -->{{langx|cy|Bannau Brycheiniog}}; {{IPA|cy|ˈbanai̯ brəˈχei̯njɔɡ||Bannau_Brycheiniog.wav|IPA}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/how-pronounce-bannau-brycheiniog-eryri-26713083 | title=How to pronounce Bannau Brycheiniog and Eryri | date=17 April 2023 }}</ref>) are a mountain range in Wales. The range includes South Wales's highest mountain, [[Pen y Fan]] ({{Convert|886|m|ft}}),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hills and mountains |url=https://www.breconbeacons.org/things-to-do/attractions/natural/hills-mountains |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales |language=en-US}}</ref> its twin summit [[Corn Du]] ({{Convert|873|m|ft}}),<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-17 |title=A Guide to Climbing Corn DU and Pen y Fan Mountains - ViewBritain.com |url=https://viewbritain.com/wales/a-guide-to-climbing-corn-du-and-pen-y-fan-mountains/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[Craig Gwaun Taf]] ({{Convert|826|m|ft}}),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ltd |first=Copyright The mountain Guide-A.-Connect |title=Craig Gwaun Taf (Duwynt) {{!}} Wales |url=https://www.themountainguide.co.uk/wales/craig-gwaun-taf.htm |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=UK mountain Guide |language=en}}</ref> which are the three highest peaks in the range. The Brecon Beacons have given their name to the larger [[Brecon Beacons National Park]], and the range itself is therefore sometimes known as the '''Central Beacons''' to differentiate the two.
-The national park was founded in 1957 and is the third and most recently designated park in Wales, after [[Snowdonia]] and the [[Pembrokeshire Coast National Park|Pembrokeshire Coast]]. It is visited by approximately 4.4 million people each year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Information for Tourism Businesses |url=https://www.beacons-npa.gov.uk/communities/tourism/,%20https://bannau.wales/communities/tourism/,%20https://bannau.cymru/communities/tourism/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority |language=en-gb}}</ref>
 ==Toponymy==
@@ Line 68: / Line 29: @@
 {{Blockquote|text=<nowiki>Blak Montayne is most famose, for he strecchith, as I have lerned, his rootes on one side within a iiii. or v. myles of </nowiki>[[Monmouth|Monemuth]], and on the other side as nere to Cairmerdin ([[Carmarthen]]). Though this be al one montayne, yet many partes of him have sundry names.}}
-Leland ascribes the name "Banne Brekeniauc" to the hills surrounding "Artures Hille" (Pen-y-Fan), also calling the range the "Banne Hilles".<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/itineraryinwales00lelauoft/page/104 |title=The Itinerary in Wales of John Leland in or about the years 1536–9 |publisher=George Bell and Sons |year=1906 |editor-last=Smith |editor-first=Lucy Toulmin |location=London |pages=104, 106, 110}}</ref>
+Leland ascribes the name "Banne Brekeniauc" to the hills surrounding "Artures Hille" (Pen y Fan), also calling the range the "Banne Hilles".<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/itineraryinwales00lelauoft/page/104 |title=The Itinerary in Wales of John Leland in or about the years 1536–9 |publisher=George Bell and Sons |year=1906 |editor-last=Smith |editor-first=Lucy Toulmin |location=London |pages=104, 106, 110}}</ref>
-The term "Brecknock Beacons" was used in the eighteenth century and referred to the area around Pen y Fan, which was itself was sometimes called 'the (Brecknock) Beacon'. For instance, Emanuel Bowen's ''A New and accurate map of South Wales'' (1729) labels the peak as 'The Vann or Brecknock Beacon',  John Clark's 1794 ''General View of the Agriculture of the County of Brecknock'' refers to 'the Vann, or Brecknock Beacon, the undisputed sovereign of all the mountains in South Wales', and an 1839 [[tithe map]] of Cantref parish labels the mountain simply 'Beacon'.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowen |first=Emanuel |date=1729 |title=A New and accurate map of South Wales containing the counties of Pembroke, Glamorgan, Carmarthen, Brecknock, Cardigan and Radnor wherein are exactly laid down and delineated from an actual survey and admeasurement all the towns, villages, churches, chaples, gentlemen's seats |url=https://viewer.library.wales/4997624 |url-status=live |access-date=17 April 2023 |website=National Library of Wales |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615083859/https://viewer.library.wales/4997624 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Clark |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-qsQAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22The+Vann+or+Brecknock+Beacon%22&pg=RA4-PA9 |title=General View of the Agriculture of the County of Brecknock |year=1794 |location=London |pages=9 |access-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418105933/https://books.google.com/books?id=-qsQAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22The+Vann+or+Brecknock+Beacon%22&pg=RA4-PA9 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Plan of the parish of Cantref in the County of Brecon |url=https://www.peoplescollection.wales/items/767251 |url-status=live |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=People's Collection Wales |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216172656/https://www.peoplescollection.wales/items/767251 }}</ref> A slightly wider definition was used in 1809 by the Breconshire historian [[Theophilus Jones (historian)|Theophilus Jones]], who wrote that 'of the lofty summits of the Brecknock Beacons, that most southwards is the lowest, and the other two nearly of a height, they are sometimes called Cader Arthur or Arthur's chair'.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Theophilus |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QZDnAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22brecon+beacons%22&pg=PA388 |title=A History of the County of Brecknock |year=1809 |volume=II.I |location=Brecknock |pages=388 |access-date=17 April 2023 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418105927/https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/A_History_of_the_County_of_Brecknock/QZDnAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22brecon+beacons%22&pg=PA388&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}</ref> This implies that "Brecknock Beacons" referred to only three summits, including Pen y Fan and Corn Du.
+The term "Brecknock Beacons" was used in the eighteenth century and referred to the area around Pen y Fan, which was itself sometimes called 'the (Brecknock) Beacon'. For instance, Emanuel Bowen's ''A New and accurate map of South Wales'' (1729) labels the peak as 'The Vann or Brecknock Beacon',  John Clark's 1794 ''General View of the Agriculture of the County of Brecknock'' refers to 'the Vann, or Brecknock Beacon, the undisputed sovereign of all the mountains in South Wales', and an 1839 [[tithe map]] of Cantref parish labels the mountain simply 'Beacon'.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowen |first=Emanuel |date=1729 |title=A New and accurate map of South Wales containing the counties of Pembroke, Glamorgan, Carmarthen, Brecknock, Cardigan and Radnor wherein are exactly laid down and delineated from an actual survey and admeasurement all the towns, villages, churches, chaples, gentlemen's seats |url=https://viewer.library.wales/4997624 |url-status=live |access-date=17 April 2023 |website=National Library of Wales |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615083859/https://viewer.library.wales/4997624 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Clark |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-qsQAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22The+Vann+or+Brecknock+Beacon%22&pg=RA4-PA9 |title=General View of the Agriculture of the County of Brecknock |year=1794 |location=London |pages=9 |access-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418105933/https://books.google.com/books?id=-qsQAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22The+Vann+or+Brecknock+Beacon%22&pg=RA4-PA9 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Plan of the parish of Cantref in the County of Brecon |url=https://www.peoplescollection.wales/items/767251 |url-status=live |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=People's Collection Wales |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216172656/https://www.peoplescollection.wales/items/767251 }}</ref> A slightly wider definition was used in 1809 by the Breconshire historian [[Theophilus Jones (historian)|Theophilus Jones]], who wrote that 'of the lofty summits of the Brecknock Beacons, that most southwards is the lowest, and the other two nearly of a height, they are sometimes called Cader Arthur or Arthur's chair'.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Theophilus |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QZDnAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22brecon+beacons%22&pg=PA388 |title=A History of the County of Brecknock |year=1809 |volume=II.I |location=Brecknock |pages=388 |access-date=17 April 2023 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418105927/https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/A_History_of_the_County_of_Brecknock/QZDnAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22brecon+beacons%22&pg=PA388&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}</ref> This implies that "Brecknock Beacons" referred to only three summits, including Pen y Fan and Corn Du.
 To distinguish the Brecons Beacons range from the national park, the range is sometimes called the "Central Beacons".<ref name="Central Beacons">{{Cite web |date=2020-03-03 |title=Central Beacons |url=https://geotourismroute.eu/interests/central-beacons/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=European Atlantic Geoparks Route |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Five great places to walk in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park |url=https://www.visitwales.com/things-do/adventure-and-activities/walking/five-great-places-walk-brecon-beacons |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=VisitWales |language=en}}</ref>
 ==Geography==
+[[File:Brecon Beacons National Park UK relief location map.png|thumb|Relief map of the [[Brecon Beacons National Park]] (bordered), with the Brecon Beacons located in the central area of the national park.]]
-[[File:Pen_y_Fan_from_Cribyn.jpg|thumb|[[Pen y Fan]] seen from [[Cribyn (mountain)|Cribyn]]]]
+The Brecon Beacons comprises six main peaks, which from west to east are: Corn Du, {{convert|873|m}}; Pen y Fan, the highest peak, {{convert|886|m}}; [[Cribyn (mountain)|Cribyn]], {{convert|795|m}}; [[Fan y Bîg]], {{convert|719|m}}; [[Bwlch y Ddwyallt]], {{convert|754|m}}; and [[Waun Rydd]], {{convert|769|m}}. These summits form a long [[ridge]], and the sections joining the first four form a horseshoe shape around the head of the [[River Taff#Taf Fechan|Taf Fechan]], which flows away to the southeast. To the northeast of the ridge, interspersed with long parallel spurs, are four [[cirque]]s (Welsh: ''cymoedd'', sing. ''cwm'') or round-headed valleys; from west to east these are Cwm Sere, Cwm Cynwyn, Cwm Oergwm and Cwm Cwareli.
-[[File:Bannaubrych.JPG|thumb|[[Fan Brycheiniog]], the highest peak on the [[Black Mountain (range)|Black Mountain]]]]{{See also|Black Mountain (range)|Fforest Fawr|Black Mountains, Wales}}
-The area covered by the national park stretches from [[Llandeilo]] in the west to [[Hay-on-Wye]] in the northeast and [[Pontypool]] in the southeast, covering {{convert|519|sqmi}}. It principally consists of three mountain ranges; the [[Black Mountains, Wales|Black Mountains]] in the east, the Brecon Beacons and [[Fforest Fawr]] uplands in the centre, and the [[Black Mountain (range)|Black Mountain]] in the west. The park is entirely within Wales and therefore excludes the Olchon Valley and [[Black Hill (Herefordshire)|Black Hill]], which are part of the Black Mountains but in the English county of [[Herefordshire]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black Hill and Olchon Valley, Herefordshire |url=https://www.uksouthwest.net/herefordshire/black-hill-and-olchon-valley/ |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=www.uksouthwest.net}}</ref>
+The Brecon Beacons range, Fforest Fawr, and Black Mountain form a continuous massif of high ground above 300 metres (1000 feet). The [[A470]] road forms an approximate boundary between the central Beacons and Fforest Fawr.
-The central Brecon Beacons range comprises six main peaks, which from west to east are: Corn Du, {{convert|873|m}}; Pen y Fan, the highest peak, {{convert|886|m}}; [[Cribyn (mountain)|Cribyn]], {{convert|795|m}}; [[Fan y Bîg]], {{convert|719|m}}; [[Bwlch y Ddwyallt]], {{convert|754|m}}; and [[Waun Rydd]], {{convert|769|m}}. These summits form a long [[ridge]], and the sections joining the first four form a horseshoe shape around the head of the [[River Taff#Taf Fechan|Taf Fechan]], which flows away to the southeast. To the northeast of the ridge, interspersed with long parallel spurs, are four [[cirque]]s (Welsh: ''cwm'') or four round-headed valleys, which from west to east these are Cwm Sere, Cwm Cynwyn, Cwm Oergwm and Cwm Cwareli.
-The Black Mountains in the east are clearly separated from the central Beacons range by the [[River Usk|Usk valley]] between Brecon and Abergavenny. [[Waun Fach]] ({{Convert|811|m|ft}}) is the highest mountain in this range.
-The Brecon Beacons range, Fforest Fawr, and Black Mountain form a continuous massif of high ground above 300 metres (1000'). The [[A470]] road forms the approximate boundary between the central Beacons and Fforest Fawr. The highest peak of the Black Mountain is [[Fan Brycheiniog]], at {{convert|802.5|m}}. There are notable waterfalls in this area, including the {{convert|90|ft|0|adj=on}} [[Henrhyd Falls]] and the [[Ystradfellte]] falls to the south of Fforest Fawr. The [[Ogof Ffynnon Ddu]] cave system is on the southwestern edge of Fforest Fawr.
-Numerous [[Community (Wales)|town and community councils]] operate within these areas and include the town councils for Brecon and Hay on Wye and the community councils for [[Vaynor|Cefn-coed-y-cymmer]], [[Llanfihangel Cwmdu]] with [[Bwlch]] and [[Cathedine]], [[Llangattock]], [[Llangors]], [[Llanthony]], [[Llywel]], [[Pontsticill]], [[Pontsarn]] and [[Vaynor]], [[Talybont-on-Usk]], [[Trallong]], [[Trecastle]] and [[Ystradfellte]].
-[[File:Brecon Beacons National Park - Panorama (44090226540).jpg|thumb|A view from beside the B4560 road south of [[Llangynidr]]. From left to right: the Brecon Beacons massif, [[Tor y Foel]], [[Allt yr Esgair]] behind [[Buckland Hill]] (centre), [[Mynydd Troed]] behind [[Mynydd Llangorse]] with [[Myarth]] in the foreground, and the western part of the Black Mountains massif in the distance.|center|upright=3.6]]
-== Geology ==
-{{Main|Geology of Brecon Beacons National Park}}
-The geology of the [[Brecon Beacons National Park|national park]] consists of a thick [[Succession (geology)|succession]] of [[sedimentary rock]]s laid down from the late [[Ordovician]] through the [[Silurian]] and [[Devonian]] to the late [[Carboniferous]] period. The rock sequence most closely associated with the park is the [[Old Red Sandstone]] from which most of its mountains are formed. The older parts of the succession, in the northwest, were [[Fold (geology)|folded]] and [[Fault (geology)|faulted]] during the [[Caledonian orogeny]]. Further faulting and folding, particularly in the south of the park is associated with the [[Variscan orogeny]].
-==History==
-The area was inhabited during the [[Neolithic]] and the succeeding [[Bronze Age]], the most obvious legacy of the latter being the numerous burial cairns which adorn the hills of the centre and west of the National Park. There are remnants of [[round barrow]]s on Fan Brycheiniog, Pen y Fan and Corn Du.<ref>{{cite web |title=Twr-y-Fan Foel, cairn |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/84461/ |website=coflein |publisher=RCAHMW |access-date=7 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pen y Fan, cairn |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/142199/ |website=coflein |publisher=RCAHMW |access-date=7 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Corn Du, Burial site |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/307985/ |website=coflein |publisher=RCAHMW |access-date=7 January 2024}}</ref> The former was excavated in 2002–4 and the ashes in the central [[cist]] dated to about 2000 BCE using [[radiocarbon dating]]. A wreath of [[Filipendula ulmaria|meadowsweet]] was likely placed in the burial.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}}
-Over twenty [[hillforts in Britain|hillforts]] were established in the area during the [[Iron Age]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}} The largest, and indeed the largest in [[South Wales]], were the pair of forts atop [[y Garn Goch]] near [[Bethlehem, Carmarthenshire]] – y Gaer Fawr and y Gaer Fach – literally "the big fort" and "the little fort".{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}} The forts are thought to have once been trading and political centres.
-[[File:Pony in brecon2.jpg|thumb|A [[Welsh Pony and Cob|Welsh Mountain Pony]]]]
-When the Romans came to Wales in 43 CE, they stationed more than 600 soldiers in the area.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}} [[Y Gaer]], near the town of Brecon was their main base. During the Norman Conquest many castles were erected throughout the park, including [[Carreg Cennen Castle]]. [[Brecon Castle]] is of Norman origin.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}}
-There are many old tracks which were used over the centuries by [[droving|drovers]] to take their [[cattle]] and [[goose|geese]] to market in England. The drovers brought back [[Ulex|gorse seed]], which they sowed to provide food for their [[sheep]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Davies|first1=Andy|last2=Whittaker|first2=David|title=Walking on the Brecon Beacons|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JdK5KSNfq60C&pg=PA139|year=2010|publisher=[[Cicerone Press]]|isbn=978-1-85284-554-4|page=139}}</ref>
-The area played a significant role during the [[Industrial Revolution]] as various raw materials including limestone, silica sand and ironstone were quarried for transport southwards to the furnaces of the industrialising [[South Wales Valleys]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}}
-[[File:National Park Visitor Centre - geograph.org.uk - 660595.jpg|thumb|National Park Visitors Centre (Mountain Centre)]]
-The [[Brecon Beacons Mountain Centre]] was opened in 1966 to help visitors understand and enjoy the area. This western half of the national park gained European and global status in 2005 as [[Fforest Fawr Geopark]], which includes the Black Mountain, the historic extent of Fforest Fawr, and much of the Brecon Beacons range and surrounding lowlands.<ref>[http://www.breconbeacons.org Welcome – Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991007223404/http://www.breconbeacons.org/|date=7 October 1999}}. Breconbeacons.org. Retrieved on 2014-05-24.</ref> The entire national park achieved the status of being an [[Dark-sky preserve|International Dark Sky Reserve]] in February 2013.<ref>[http://darksky.org/idsp/reserves/breconbeacons/ Brecon Beacons] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221003139/http://darksky.org/idsp/reserves/breconbeacons/|date=2015-12-21}} at the [[International Dark-Sky Association]]</ref>
-In 2006 and 2007, controversy surrounded the government decision to build the [[South Wales Gas Pipeline]] through the park, the National Park Authority calling the decision a "huge blow".<ref>[http://www.breconbeacons.org/Pipeline%20Consent Controversial National Grid Pipeline given the go ahead!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509130908/http://www.breconbeacons.org/Pipeline%20Consent|date=May 9, 2007}} Brecon Beacons National Park Authority</ref>
-=== Natural history ===
-Most of the national park is bare, grassy [[moorland]] grazed by [[Welsh pony|Welsh mountain ponies]] and [[Welsh mountain sheep]], with scattered [[forestry]] [[plantation]]s, and [[pasture]] in the valleys. [[Common raven]]s, [[red kite]]s, [[peregrine falcon]]s, [[northern wheatear]]s, [[ring ouzel]]s, and the rare [[Merlin (bird)|merlin]] breeds in the park.
 ==National park==
-[[File:Brecon_Beacons_National_Park_(1226611).jpg|thumb|Brecon Beacons National Park sign]]
+{{Main articles|Brecon Beacons National Park}}
 The Brecon Beacons National Park was established in 1957,<ref>{{Cite web |title=A short history |url=https://www.breconbeacons.org/discover/about/a-short-history |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales |language=en-US}}</ref> the third of the three Welsh parks after [[Snowdonia]] in 1951<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Authority's History |url=https://authority.snowdonia.gov.wales/the-authority/the-authoritys-history/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Park Authority |language=en-US}}</ref> and the [[Pembrokeshire Coast National Park]] in 1952.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coastal Features |url=https://www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/about-the-national-park/geography/coastal-features/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Pembrokeshire Coast National Park |language=en-US}}</ref> It covers an area of {{Convert|519|sqmi|km2}}, which is much larger than the Brecon Beacons range. Over half of the park is in the south of [[Powys]]; the remainder of the park is split between northwestern [[Monmouthshire]], eastern [[Carmarthenshire]], northern [[Rhondda Cynon Taf]] and [[Merthyr Tydfil]], and very small areas of [[Blaenau Gwent]], and [[Torfaen]].
-The park is managed by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, a [[National parks of England and Wales#Organisation|special purpose local authority]] with responsibilities to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the park, aid visitors' enjoyment of the park, and support the economic and social well-being of local communities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Purposes and Duty |url=https://bannau.wales/the-authority/who-we-are/aims-and-purposes/ |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority |language=en-gb}}</ref> The National Park Authority has 18 members, twelve are appointed by the area's local authorities and six by the Welsh Government. Of the local authority members six are appointed by Powys County Council, and one each by the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Torfaen.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=1 April 2020 |title=The National Park Authorities (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2020 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2020/119/made |website=legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> There is also a standards committee with three members.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Your Members |url=https://governance.beacons-npa.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority}}</ref> Between 1995 and 2020 the park authority had 24 members, sixteen appointed by the local authorities and eight by the government.<ref name=":4" />
-The park authority used the name "Brecon Beacons" in English-language contexts until 2023, when it decided to use only the Welsh name; it will still use the English name where legally required to do so.<ref>{{cite news |last=Morris |first=Steven |date=17 April 2023 |title=Brecon Beacons national park renamed Bannau Brycheiniog in Welsh language move |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/17/brecon-beacons-relaunches-with-welsh-name-bannau-brycheiniog-as-picture-of-hope-for-future |access-date=17 April 2023}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> The statutory names of the park and authority have not been changed, and remain "Brecon Beacons National Park (Authority)" in English and ''(Awdurdod) Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog'' in Welsh.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=19 May 2023 |title=Statement |url=https://bannau.wales/the-authority/press-and-news/press-releases/may-2023/statement/ |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority |language=en-gb}}</ref>
-== Activities ==
-Outdoor activities in Brecon Beacons National Park include [[walking]], [[cycling]], [[mountain biking]] and [[horse riding]], as well as [[sailing]], [[windsurfing]], [[canoeing]], [[fishing]], [[rock climbing]], [[hang-gliding]], [[Travel trailer|caravanning]], [[camping]] and [[caving]]. A long-distance cycling route, the [[Taff Trail]], passes over the national park on its way from Brecon to [[Cardiff]], and in 2005 the first walk to span the entire length of the park was opened. The {{convert|99|mi|km|0|adj=on}} route, called the [[Beacons Way]], runs from Abergavenny via The Skirrid ({{lang|cy|[[Ysgyryd Fawr]]}}) in the east and ends in the village of [[Llangadog]] in [[Carmarthenshire]] in the west.{{wide image|ShowCaves_Panorama.jpg|800px|Panoramic view of Dan yr Ogof Showcaves grounds in Brecon Beacons National Park|align-cap=center}}
 ==Brecon Mountain Railway==
+{{Main articles|Brecon Mountain Railway}}
-A railway with narrow gauge trains is run by the [[Brecon Mountain Railway]]. The railway is a {{Track gauge|23.75in|lk=on}} [[Narrow gauge railway|narrow gauge]] [[tourist railway]] on the south side of the Brecon Beacons range. It climbs northwards from [[Pant railway station (Brecon Mountain Railway)|Pant]] along the full length of the [[Pontsticill Reservoir]] (also called 'Taf Fechan' reservoir by [[Welsh Water]]) and continues past the adjoining [[Pentwyn Reservoir]] to [[Torpantau railway station]]. The railway's starting point at Pant is located {{convert|2|mile|0|spell=in}} north of Merthyr Tydfil town centre.
+A railway with narrow gauge trains is run by the Brecon Mountain Railway. The railway is a {{Track gauge|23.75in|lk=on}} [[Narrow gauge railway|narrow gauge]] [[tourist railway]] on the south side of the Brecon Beacons range. It climbs northwards from [[Pant railway station (Brecon Mountain Railway)|Pant]] along the full length of the [[Pontsticill Reservoir]] (also called 'Taf Fechan' reservoir by [[Welsh Water]]) and continues past the adjoining [[Pentwyn Reservoir]] to [[Torpantau railway station]]. The railway's starting point at Pant is located {{convert|2|mile|0|spell=in}} north of Merthyr Tydfil town centre.
-==Mountain rescue==
-[[File:brecon beacons in the snow arp.jpg|thumb|The Beacons in [[winter]]]]
-[[Mountain rescue in Wales|Mountain rescue]] in south Wales is provided by five volunteer groups, with the police having overall command. In serious situations they are aided by [[Royal Navy]] or [[Royal Air Force]] helicopters from [[RM Chivenor]] or [[RAF Valley]]. The five groups are:
-* CBMRT – Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team
-* BMRT – Brecon Mountain Rescue Team
-* LMRT – Longtown Mountain Rescue Team based in the east
-* WBMSART – Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue Team
-* SARDA South Wales – Search and Rescue Dog Association covering South and Mid Wales
-The groups are funded primarily by donations. Their work is not restricted to mountain rescue – they frequently assist the police in their search for missing or vulnerable people in the community.{{clear}}
 ==Military training==
@@ Line 141: / Line 53: @@
 The Brecon Beacons are used for training members of the UK armed forces and [[Reservist|military reservists]]. The [[British Army|Army]]’s [[Infantry Battle School]] is located at Brecon,<ref name=telegraphheatdeaths>{{cite news |author=Farmer, Ben |title=Two soldiers die in heat while training in Brecon Beacons |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10178631/Two-soldiers-die-in-heat-while-training-in-Brecon-Beacons.html |work=The Telegraph |date=14 July 2013 |access-date=14 January 2015 |archive-date=14 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114142753/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10178631/Two-soldiers-die-in-heat-while-training-in-Brecon-Beacons.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[Special Air Service]] (SAS) and [[Special Boat Service]] use the area to test the fitness of applicants.<ref name=telegraphnocharge>{{cite news |author=Farmer, Ben |title=No SAS manslaughter charges over Brecon Beacons deaths |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10940508/No-SAS-manslaughter-charges-over-Brecon-Beacons-deaths.html |work=The Telegraph |date=2 July 2014 |access-date=14 January 2015 |archive-date=14 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114141242/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10940508/No-SAS-manslaughter-charges-over-Brecon-Beacons-deaths.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SBS - Selection |url=https://www.eliteukforces.info/special-boat-service/selection/ |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=www.eliteukforces.info}}</ref> An exercise unique to the area is the '[[Fan dance (exercise)|Fan dance]]', which takes place on Pen y Fan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio 4 Extra - Gone to Earth, 1. The Fan Dance |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b048n3fb |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> In July 2013 three soldiers died from overheating or [[heatstroke]] on an SAS selection exercise. An army captain had been found dead on [[Corn Du]] earlier in the year after training in freezing weather for the SAS.<ref name=telegraphheatdeaths />
-== Use of ''Bannau Brycheiniog'' in English ==
-On 17 April 2023 it was announced that the National Park had officially adopted the name Bannau Brycheiniog in both Welsh and English. The new official English name became ''Bannau Brycheiniog National Park'', or "the Bannau" for short. The change took effect on the same day, the 66th anniversary of the park's designation.<ref name="rename-guardian">{{cite news |last=Morris |first=Steven |date=17 April 2023 |title=Brecon Beacons national park renamed Bannau Brycheiniog in Welsh language move |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/17/brecon-beacons-relaunches-with-welsh-name-bannau-brycheiniog-as-picture-of-hope-for-future |url-status=live |access-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051107/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/17/brecon-beacons-relaunches-with-welsh-name-bannau-brycheiniog-as-picture-of-hope-for-future |archive-date=17 April 2023 |quote=The park authority CEO, Catherine Mealing-Jones, said: “The more we looked into it the more we realised the name Brecon Beacons doesn’t make any sense. It’s a very English description of something that probably never happened. A massive carbon-burning brazier is not a good look for an environmental organisation.”}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Halpin |first=Danny |date=2023-04-17 |title=Brecon Beacons National Park changing name to reflect action on climate change |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/brecon-beacons-changing-name-welsh-climate-action-plan-sustainability-b1074455.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417090002/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/brecon-beacons-changing-name-welsh-climate-action-plan-sustainability-b1074455.html |archive-date=17 April 2023 |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref>
-The authority stated that the change was to promote the area's culture and heritage, as well as part of a wider overhaul of how the park is managed and to address [[Environmental issues in Wales|environmental issues]], such as [[climate change]],<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Brecon Beacons National Park to be renamed in response to climate change |url=https://news.sky.com/story/brecon-beacons-national-park-makes-bannau-brycheiniog-its-only-official-name-in-rebrand-12851934 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417152210/https://news.sky.com/story/brecon-beacons-national-park-makes-bannau-brycheiniog-its-only-official-name-in-rebrand-12851934 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> and removing references to carbon-emitting beacons.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gatten |first1=Emma |last2=Simpson |first2=Craig |last3=Martin |first3=Daniel |date=2023-04-17 |title=Brecon Beacons to be renamed over links to climate change |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/04/17/brecon-beacons-net-zero-renamed-climate-change/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417155842/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/04/17/brecon-beacons-net-zero-renamed-climate-change/ |archive-date=17 April 2023 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite news |date=2023-04-17 |title=Brecon Beacons: Park to use Welsh name Bannau Brycheiniog |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-65274952 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417111431/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-65274952 |archive-date=17 April 2023}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Steven |date=2023-04-17 |title=Brecon Beacons national park renamed Bannau Brycheiniog in Welsh language move |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/17/brecon-beacons-relaunches-with-welsh-name-bannau-brycheiniog-as-picture-of-hope-for-future |url-status=live |access-date=2023-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417094547/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/17/brecon-beacons-relaunches-with-welsh-name-bannau-brycheiniog-as-picture-of-hope-for-future |archive-date=17 April 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The plan for the park to become net zero by 2035<ref name=":2"/> and to address environmental concerns was supported by Welsh actor [[Michael Sheen]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ledwith |first=Mario |date=17 April 2023 |title=Brecon Beacons to be renamed in response to climate change |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/brecon-loses-its-beacons-to-go-green-in-face-of-climate-change-q8skv0c2g |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417130439/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/brecon-loses-its-beacons-to-go-green-in-face-of-climate-change-q8skv0c2g |archive-date=17 April 2023 |access-date=17 April 2023 |work=[[The Times]]}}</ref> The change was described by a local as "pride" for Welsh-speakers, while others admitted both names would likely continue to be used.<ref name=":12" /> As part of the name change, the park also adopted a different logo, replacing its previous logo showing a lit beacon.<ref name=":02" /> Plaid Cymru's Welsh language spokesperson supported the move, while the [[Welsh Liberal Democrats]] welcomed the decision,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-17 |title=Liberal Democrats welcome Bannau Brycheiniog name change |url=https://www.brecon-radnor.co.uk/news/politics/liberal-democrats-welcome-bannau-brycheiniog-name-change-608203 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417195310/https://www.brecon-radnor.co.uk/news/politics/liberal-democrats-welcome-bannau-brycheiniog-name-change-608203 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=Brecon & Radnor Express}}</ref> with its leader [[Jane Dodds]] comparing it to movements in New Zealand. Conservative MP [[James Evans (Welsh politician)|James Evans]] described the move as "not a priority" for locals and raised concerns over cost, and the local Conservative MP, [[Fay Jones (politician)|Fay Jones]], argued that the English name could have been kept.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":02" />  Upon the news of the name change the Prime Minister [[Rishi Sunak]] stated "I'm going to keep calling it the Brecon Beacons, and I would imagine most people will do that too."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-28 |title=Rishi Sunak says he will keep using Brecon Beacons name |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-65413209 |access-date=2023-10-04}}</ref>
-Catherine Mealing-Jones, the park authority's CEO, stated: "the name Brecon Beacons doesn't make any sense – the translation Brecon Beacons doesn't really mean anything in Welsh", adding that "a massive carbon-burning brazier is not a good look for an environmental organisation".<ref name=":02" /> Mealing-Jones admitted that people can refer to the park by either name, and that the change "isn't compulsory",<ref name=":3" /> but hoped the emphasis on the Welsh name would encourage people to use the term. She stated: "We’d always had the name Bannau Brycheiniog as the Welsh translation and [...] we wanted to be celebrating Welsh people, Welsh culture, Welsh food, Welsh farming".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hassan |first=Beril Naz |date=2023-04-17 |title=Why is Brecon Beacons national park changing its name? |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/why-brecon-beacons-national-park-changing-name-b1074599.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418173157/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/why-brecon-beacons-national-park-changing-name-b1074599.html |archive-date=18 April 2023 |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
-In May 2023 more than 50 local businesses in the national park campaigned for the "Brecon Beacons" name be restored alongside the Welsh name as a dual name. The campaigners say the decision did not respect Wales as a bilingual nation as it did not treat English and Welsh languages equally, and ambassadors of the park were not consulted on the name change. A digital marketer dismissed the campaigner's argument, stating tourism would be not impacted, and the national park authority stated they are prioritising Welsh names going forward.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-11 |title=Bannau Brycheiniog: Campaign to reinstate Brecon Beacons park name |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-65556286 |access-date=2023-11-22}}</ref>
 ==See also==
@@ Line 176: / Line 79: @@
 [[Category:Geography of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough]]
 [[Category:Geography of Monmouthshire]]
-[[Category:International Dark Sky Reserves]]
 [[Category:Landforms of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough]]
 [[Category:Landforms of Powys]]

v t e National parks of the United Kingdom
England	Peak District (1951) Lake District (1951) Dartmoor (1951) North York Moors (1952) Yorkshire Dales (1954) Exmoor (1954) Northumberland (1956) The Broads‡ (1988) New Forest (2005) South Downs (2010) South Pennines Regional Park†
Northern Ireland	Mourne Mountains†
Scotland	Loch Lomond and The Trossachs (2002) Cairngorms (2003)
Wales	Snowdonia (Eryri; 1951) Pembrokeshire Coast (1952) Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog; 1957) North East Wales†
Parentheses denote year of establishment as a National Park. An area with ‡ has similar status to a UK National Park. Areas marked † are proposed.