Christmas shopping in the Brecon Beacons
What do you want for Christmas? How about going shopping in pretty market towns, where you can buy beautiful Welsh gifts, can tick things off your gift list and still have time for lunch, a mulled wine or two or even a festive afternoon tea.
Want to shop from the comfort of your home? Check out our Online Christmas gift guide, which is full of Welsh gifts and local food and drink and experiences which will provide lasting memories and something to look forward to doing together post Christmas.
Here are some of our favourite places to find perfect presents in the Brecon Beacons.
Hay on Wye
One of the gems along the River Wye, Hay-on-Wye is the small market town on the Welsh and English boarder, famous the world over for books and the annual Hay Festival.
Shop at the various independent clothing, food and craft shops or peruse the numerous second hand bookshops, antique shops dotted around the town.
We’d recommend heading straight to The Welsh Girl – Modern Welsh Heritage…. The Welsh Girl works with the traditional textiles of Wales in a unique and contemporary way producing handmade collections for the self and the home – ponchos, scarves, bags, cushions and homewares.
It is also worth going to Hay on a Thursday, as that’s Market day. A great opportunity to buy some delicious festive treats.
Hay Christmas Markets dates for your diaries!
Hay’s Thursday Market is open *every* Thursday in December, including between Christmas and New Year.
Brecon
Another one of our thriving market towns, with characterful narrow streets, lined with buildings with attractive Georgian facades hint at times gone by. Shop in the multitude of independent shops or check out the monthly Brecknock Farmers Market.
We’d recommend heading to Found Gallery to view the Christmas exhibition and to browse the wonderful collection of artwork for sale. You can also buy artwork online.
If you have time enjoy a stroll along the Mon and Brecon Canal, stop at the Canal Basin and get a taste of culture at Theatr Brycheiniog or enjoy refreshments at the Cultural Cafe.
If you want lunch or dinner head to the famous Felin Fach Griffin, just out of town. Six time winner of the Good Pub Guide’s Dining Pub of the Year for Wales, and winner of a Good Hotel Guide Cesar award for Wales as Welsh Inn of the Year. Or we’d also recommend going to the Three Horseshoes, Groesffordd. A pub with restaurant offering 2 AA rosette standard food. They offer a quality a la carte menu alongside some pub classics with a well stocked bar.
Drive up to the National Park Visitor Centre, Libanus to visit the Christmas shop and pick up something local and unique for your loved ones this Christmas.
Talgarth
Tagarth Mill Craft shop is definitely worth a visit, they currently support 36 local artists, the items range from fine silver jewellery to toys, pottery and handmade soap.
We’d recommend a visit to The Old Railway Line Garden Centre, which is just outside of Talgarth in Three Cocks. You will find a vast range of Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, gifts, homeware and clothing. Browse thousands of products to find a perfect gift for someone special or treat yourself. The farm shop stocks a wide range of locally produced food and drink including freshly baked bread, meats from a local butcher, tasty deli products and artisan beers and wines.
Abergavenny
Abergavenny has some fabulous independent shops in the town centre and its regular food and craft markets attract the best artisan producers from across the region.
For refreshments head to the Kings Arms Hotel or the Angel Hotel, named ‘Hotel of The Year for Wales, 2020’ in The Good Hotel Guide’s Cesar Awards. We can recommend their high tea, or a fabulous lunch or supper!
Crickhowell
Crickhowell won ‘The Best British High Street in the UK’ of 2018, the towns highstreet is totally independent, check out Cric Tourist Centre and Oriel Gallery for a beautiful handcrafted gift, for book lovers head to Book-ish, an award-winning independent bookshop in Crickhowell. At any one time, there are more than 2,000 books in Book-ish, subdivided by category and including a large selection of highly collectable copies signed by their authors. There are children’s toys, including traditional wooden games, jigsaws and puzzles, educational play sets, science kits and puppets.
You can buy National Book Tokens & Book-ish gift vouchers in denominations of £5, £10 and £20. They also have an online shop with over 6,000 titles.
For all your outdoor needs, pop into see Jane at Crickhowell Adventure – who aim is to make your day on the hill, whether walking, hiking or trekking, much more enjoyable.
Enjoy refreshments at the Bear Hotel, the Dragon Inn or Book-ish Cafe
If you need to stock up on some delicious local food head to Black Mountains Smokery shop, just out of town. They stock freshly prepared oak-smoked foods; smoked chicken and duck breasts, hot and cold smoked salmon, smoked trout, mackerel, haddock and kippers, bacon, ham and cheeses. They offer a wonderful range of smoked gourmet food gifts and luxury hampers for home delivery.
Bwlch
The Welsh Venison Centre and Beacons Farm Shop in Bwlch, near Crickhowell, is a must visit. There are stunning views of the Brecon Beacons from the farm which specialises in producing venison and also its own lamb, beef and locally-produced meat as well as deli items, bread and gifts from its Beacons Farm Shop.
The farm shop also stocks a wide range of gift items and beautiful homewares. They even sell their very own deer skin rugs and also sheep skins which come in an amazing variety of colours and patterns. The shop also sells items such as cheese, olives and fresh bread – everything you could want for a picnic, barbecue or delicious meal at your holiday cottage. While you’re at the shop you’ll also be tempted to stop for a cup of tea and some delicious cake.