Brecon Cathedral occupies a commanding position on Priory Hill. Built of red sandstone, it is large and solid with a squat tower in the centre. Originally, it was the church of the Benedictine priory founded by Bernard de Neufmarché, who was William the Conqueror's half-brother. He marched on this area in 1091 and established himself as Lord of Brecon. In 1923, his much-altered church was chosen as the cathedral of the new Diocese of Swansea and Brecon.
Priory Groves contains wooded walks, laid out around 200 years ago, on a slope between the churchyard and the River Honddu. Of particular beauty are the tall, slender beech trees. This wood abounds with wildlife, birdsong, and squirrels which scuttle along the branches overhead. The Iron Age hillfort of Pen-y-Crug is one of several in the vicinity of Brecon and is defined by five ramparts and ditches.
The hamlet of Llanddew was formerly a place of some importance, being the residence of the Archbishop of Brecon. On entering the hamlet there is an arched well (Bishop Gower's Well) which once supplied water to the local people. Behind the well is the site of the castle or palace of the Bishop of St David's. The bishop resided here when making periodical visits to this portion of his diocese. It was once the Brecknockshire home of the famous cleric and writer Giraldus Cambrensis (Gerald of Wales), a colourful character in Welsh medieval history. He lived here for 25 years as Archdeacon of Brecon and left one of the earliest detailed records of Welsh life.
Llanddew Church is dedicated to St David and it is one of the oldest churches in the area. Like Brecon Cathedral, it is a solid structure, with the tower separating the choir from the nave. The four main peaks of the Brecon Beacons can be seen from Llanddew. These are the highest red sandstone mountains south of Scotland, and from left to right their names are Fan Y Big, Cribin, Pen y Fan, and Corn Du (see my walk of them here).
