Festivals, Events and Family Days Out this Summer

June, July and August are when most of the countries big outdoor events take place and the Brecon Beacons and surrounding area has many established events and a couple of new ones have come on to the scene this year or last year. I have listed the events with a link to their own websites along with the time taken from Gliffaes to get to them.

Crickhowell Art Trail - May Bank Holiday weekend
Over the three days of the Bank Holiday Weekend many artists in the Black Mountains are opening up their studios to the public for us to come and see and buy their works. This is not just paintings. Art trail maps are available from most tourism outlets in the area or at the visitor information centre in Crickhowell. One could have a lovely day's drive or cycle around these studios as so many are well off the beaten path.

Hay Litrary Festival - 27th May - 6th June (30 minutes from Gliffaes)
The annual book beano in Hay-on-Wye. But it is now so much more than books; farm visits, nature walks, guided tours around ancient monuments, film screenings, concerts and comedy not to mention plenty of events for children on half term. If you can't find one item on their programme that interests you,  must be very, very dull.

How the Light Gets In - The philosophy and music festival at Hay - 28th May - 6th June.
Now in its second year and sited away from the main festival in the Globe Theatre at Hay and in the Globe Fields across the river. The blur describes this year's event as, "....it is only fitting that this year's festival theme is 'Being Human'. What it is to be alive? What is essential to our humanity and what is peripheral? What is truly important?" So if you want to get your head around some of these concepts have a look at their website and book a ticket to an event or two.

International Horse Trials at Glanusk Park - 1st - 4th July (1 mile form Gliffaes, in fact you could walk there.)
A brand new event on the International eventing circuit and a brand new and challenging course for horse and rider alike in the spectacular Glanusk Park. For those in the horse world this is event is replacing the one that used to be held at Chepstow. Fo those not in the horsey world this is great day out for all the family with a shopping village, displays and much more.

International Polo - 17th July at Glanusk Park (1 mile)
After last year's inaugural success this one day of polo and events, including a visit from the Red Devils freefall team, is back bigger and better than last year. England v Wales is the feature match and the idea is to load up your car with a picnic and some friends and spend the day under an oak tree soaking up Pimms and polo.

The Royal Welsh Show - 19th - 22nd July,  Builth Wells (normally about 40 minutes but on show day's allow an hour)
Wales' premier Agricultural Show, and now that the Royal Show has ceased it could well be the UK's major agricultural show, so much going on and its certainly not just for farmers.

The Brecon Jazz Festival - 6th, 7th & 8th August - Brecon (20 minutes)
This enduring festival has had its ups and owns recently but seems to be rising above with new backing. A very impressive line up of jazz greats and rising stars from all over the globe this year.


The Green Man Festival - 21st-23rd August at Glanusk Park
If the names of these bands and musicians ring any bells with you then you will know what this Festival is all about; 'Neon Indians', 'Bear in Heaven', 'Darwin Deez' and the 'Smoke Fairies'.  They don't mean much to me but if you fancy sleeping in a bed rather than in a tent Gliffaes is the closeset hotel to the festival.