Getting there

Planes

Cardiff Airport (www.cwlfly.co.uk) is the closest regional and international hub; it has good transport links to the city and the rest of South Wales.

Trains

First Great Western trains from London Paddington to Swansea take around three hours; see www.trainline.co.uk for details. From Swansea, catch the Heart of Wales line to the Brecon Beacons National Park border at Llandovery; what the service lacks in speed and frequency it makes up for in scenery (www.heart-of-wales.co.uk).

Automobiles

The M4 can speed you into South Wales | all the way to Swansea; be prepared for the Severn Bridge toll. From Swansea | you can reach the Brecon Beacons on the A483. From the Midlands | the A40 is the best route.