Great food & drinkSo much to explore Adventure time!

large

map

inside!

A very real experience

www.talybontonusk.comTalybont on Usk

Take your binoculars to Talybont reservoir, peacefully set in the hills south of the village. The importance of its wildlife has

been recognised through its designation as a Local Nature

Reserve: there are 2 bird hides – both on the western shore. A small car park is located about 800 metres from

the dam on its western side and from there you can walk to the shore or to the first bird hide. The second hide is next to the road at the southern end and has disabled access. Though Goosander numbers have decreased, good numbers of wildfowl are still present including Goldeneye, Goosander, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Wigeon and Teal. Year round residents include Little and Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Mallard and Coot. More unusual birds include Great Northern Diver, Little Ringed Plover and in spring and autumn, passing Ospreys!

Whilst at the top of the Reservoir travel along the road a bit further to Blaen-y-glyn waterfall, park and follow the path alongside the stream, a perfect place for a pic-nic.

creATive AcTiviTieS TAlybonT enerGy

even

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There are several artists in the village; all with galleries open to the public at various times of the year or by appointment. Ty Cam Gallery, next to the White Hart Inn, is owned by woodturner Harry Chapman. Harry creates handcrafted pieces using locally sourced timber from within the Brecon Beacons. His gallery also includes a wide variety of superb art from the surrounding area.

Creative Photography Wales is run by Nigel Forster, a landscape photographer with a wide collection of fine art images

from the Brecon Beacons and from all over Wales and beyond. Nigel also teaches photography for groups and individuals. For more information: www.creativephotographywales.com

Sue Thorne (over the dutch bridge towards the reservoir) creates beautiful pieces with glass, stained

glass, layering and fused glass with traditional methods of glass painting. Finally Jo Hughes is a textile

artist and opens her gallery 3km down the road in Pencelli most weekends.

Talybont stores stocks local produce such as the True Taste gold award winning Coity Bach sausages, Aber Valley Apple Juice and Cowboy Pickles.

With three pubs, a restaurant and café there are plenty of opportunities to sample local food and drink.

The Star Inn has been voted Brecknockshires Camra pub of the year for four consecutive years and stages Beer festivals in June & October.

Green energy turned into realityTalybont is proud to have developed the first

community-owned hydro scheme in Wales. Our 36kW turbine works

off the compensation flow from Talybont Reservoir. If you walk along the reservoir dam, you can look down and see the turbine house and read all about the scheme.

We sell the electricity to the National Grid and use the income to fund innovative sustainability projects

in our community. We have installed solar PV on the roof of the community hall and some of that energy that powers

our community electric van “Heulwen” and we also have “Mr Chips” a community car running on recycled chip oil.

www.talybontenergy.co.uk

With several National Garden Scheme open gardens, regular film nights, two excellent beer festivals at The Star, a dip back in time with an annual village show on the Saturday August Bank Holiday , a living nativity at Christmas and lots of other village events over the year, it is well worth keeping an eye out for something that might take your fancy whilst you are visiting.

locAl TASTe

Talyb

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Wildlife

did you know that little

Grebes are frequent visitors

to Talybont reservoir

Nestled in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, Talybont on Usk is

the ideal place to spend time exploring the stunning landscape on foot, bike or boat. Explore Talybont on Usk and shop for local produce, enjoy local eateries and relax in accommodation full of character, all accompanied by the warmest and most genuine of welcomes.

canoeing from TalybontThe landlocked canal in Talybont on Usk offers ideal placid waters for canoeing, with the meandering course of the canal sweeping you through the glorious countryside.

The historic canal follows the scenic Usk Valley and takes you through time as you witness the canal’s many uses, from the Lime Kilns just outside the village to the tranquil agricultural farm land that surrounds you.

Your delightful journey also brings you uniquely

closer to the wildlife of the area as your

position in the water creates

opportunities for you to see the many examples of wild flowers and animals

that live in and around the

waters edge.

Canoes for families and friends can be hired

from Bikes and Hikes and delivered to you at the canal.

Experienced canoeists can enjoy the

more rapid and adventurous RIver Usk which has a canoe/kayak access point near the village of Talybont.

For information about the restrictions and the times of year that canoeing is permitted contact the Wye and Usk Foundation - www.wyeuskfoundation.org

fishingAs well as being a premier Welsh salmon river the Usk is also acclaimed as one of the best wild trout rivers in the UK. The Welsh name for the river is “Afon Wysg”, appropriately meaning “river abounding in fish”.

Permits to some of the best beats along the river Usk and the Talybont reservoir are available to book on line.

For information re the booking and the times of year that fishing is permitted contact the Wye and Usk Foundation - www.wyeuskfoundation.org

Fishing is also permitted along the canal where you might catch, carp, dace or perch, you will need an Environmental Agency rod licence and a Canal & Rivers Trust permit, contact 01829 732748

Are your boots made for walking?If they are you will be spoilt for choice, many walking routes either start or converge in Talybont on Usk.

Henry vaughan WalkThe popular Henry Vaughan walk starts by the side of The White Hart Inn and is a gentle 4km stroll through the scenic, historic and poetic landscape, perfect for children. There are herb gardens to discover, fields, meadows and the River Caerfanell to cross. Look out for the Poetry trail, posts and handles are a clue. If you are a “Geocacher” take a paper and pen, crack the code and be rewarded by finding the “cache”. Just follow the waymarked swan symbols.This really is outdoor fun the way it should be.

Talybont reservoir

Monmouth & brecon canal Why not walk to the next village along the canal, with Llangynidr (4km) to the east and Pencelli (4.5km) to the west, or for the more adventurous walk all the way to Brecon (11.5km). Pick up the Canal food trail and plan your walk with a refreshment stop! You can get a bus back to Talybont from these linear walks.

brinore TramroadRuns for 13km from Talybont on Usk to Trefil and was operational between 1815 and 1865, you can join it from the White Hart Inn.

did you know There are 100 bridges, 6 locks,

an aquaduct and a tunnel along the canal.

Usk valley walkA challenging 77km long linear walk starts from Caerleon and ends in Brecon (11km) and can be joined from Talybont on Usk. Starting from the White Hart Inn follow the signs for Brinore Tramroad, until you see an Usk Valley waymarker.From Talybont on Usk to Brecon it is approximately 11km. Catch the 43 bus back from Brecon, check out the times- www.travel-linecymru.co.uk

Full route in Usk Valley Walk Official guide by Mike Wagstaff & John Wilkinson.

beacons WayA long linear route of 153km can be joined from The White Hart Inn by following the Taff Trail which joins up with The Beacons Way from, Llangynidr to Storey Arms which includes Pen y Fan the highest point in southern Britain.

Full route can be found in The Beacons Way – Holy Mountain to Bethlehem, John Sansom, Arwel Michael, Chris Barber.

cycling & Mountain bikingYou bring the energy, we provide the backdrop!

Keen mountain bikers can enjoy The Gap route, a 38km red graded classic, exploiting a network of trails to take you over the central Brecon Beacons and descending on the rocky Roman road.

Intermediate mountain bikers can test themselves on the short but strenuous blue route that heads up the Brinore Tramroad, over the dam and through the village of Aber before climbing steeply to Coity Forest. Don’t let the distance deceive you.

Families can experience some beautiful routes along either side of the canal and in either direction. To wear out the children you might choose the stunning route that circumnavigates the Talybont reservoir. A very steep climb, or walk if desired, is rewarded with an exhilarating 5 mile descent on the Taff Trail with commanding views of the valley below.

Road riders are spoilt with the spectacular climbs and high level moorland routes in the area.

You can hire a bike from the Talybont Stores if you book in advance. Bikes and Hikes, who offer the bike hire service in Talybont, are available in Brecon for spares and repairs as well as friendly trail advice. Just pop in for all your biking needs.

Visit the new Bike Park Wales Mountain centre, nearby in Merthyr Tydfil. www.bikeparkwales.com

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