Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Major city · United Kingdom

Pen y CaePen-y-cae

Base here 1–2 nights with a car: Dan-yr-Ogof caves, Craig y Nos castle and park, and the A4067 up the Swansea Valley. No car, skip.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Pen y Cae is a small village in the Upper Swansea Valley, inside Brecon Beacons National Park country, strung along the A4067 between Swansea and Brecon. It is a base for caves, a Victorian castle and hill walking, not a town with a high street of its own. Almost everything worth doing is a short drive away, so a car decides the trip.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Jan–Feb (wet, short days); bank holiday weekends for cave queues
Airports
CWL · BRS
Nights
1–2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Pen y Cae999 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance999
  • Police non-urgent101
  • NHS non-urgent111

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Pen y Cae, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealPub main course£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
  • BeerPint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
  • Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£28 (≈ US$40)
  • Mid-range bedPub or B&B double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
  • High-end bedPub or B&B double room, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £80 (≈ US$110) · High £140 (≈ US$190)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Dan-yr-Ogof National ShowcavesCraig y Nos Castle and Country ParkWales Ape and Monkey SanctuaryUpper Swansea Valley walking
Airports
CWL Cardiff Airport (About 1 h 15 min by car via the M4 and A4067) · BRS Bristol Airport (About 1 h 45 min by car)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    9°C (48°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  5. May

    Best

    16°C (61°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    13°C (55°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    8°C (46°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)), coolest Feb (1°C (34°F) low), wettest Jan (17 rain days), driest Jun (12). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Pen y Cae: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

7°C (45°F)

2°C (36°F)

17 rd

Feb

7°C (45°F)

1°C (34°F)

14 rd

Mar

9°C (48°F)

3°C (37°F)

15 rd

Apr

12°C (54°F)

4°C (39°F)

13 rd

May

16°C (61°F)

7°C (45°F)

13 rd

Jun

18°C (64°F)

10°C (50°F)

12 rd

Jul

20°C (68°F)

12°C (54°F)

12 rd

Aug

20°C (68°F)

12°C (54°F)

13 rd

Sep

17°C (63°F)

10°C (50°F)

13 rd

Oct

13°C (55°F)

7°C (45°F)

16 rd

Nov

10°C (50°F)

4°C (39°F)

17 rd

Dec

8°C (46°F)

2°C (36°F)

17 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the practical answer: the A4067 links Swansea (about 40 min south) and Brecon (about 40 min north), and the sights sit 2–8 km apart with no useful bus frequency. On foot you can walk the village and the country park; anything else needs wheels or a taxi from Ystradgynlais. The T6 coach along the Swansea–Brecon corridor stops in the valley (check current timetable).

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Dan-yr-Ogof National Showcaves

go

Door to door: 10 min

Drive 3 km (1.9 mi) north on the A4067

Allow 2–3 h; timed entry in peak season.

Craig y Nos Castle and Country Park

go

Door to door: 5 min by car, 25 min on foot

Drive 2 km (1.2 mi) north on the A4067, or walk from the village

Park entry and castle grounds; check castle opening for non-residents.

Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary, Abercrave

go

Door to door: 10 min

Drive south on the A4067

Check opening days; it is a rescue centre, not a zoo.

Brecon

go

Door to door: About 40 min

A4067 north over the Beacons

Market town for a wet afternoon: cathedral, canal and shops.

Swansea

go

Door to door: About 40 min

A4067 south to the M4

City, beach and museums; easy half-day.

Waterfall Country, Ystradfellte

caution

Door to door: About 40 min

Drive via Ystradgynlais and the minor roads

Parking fills by mid-morning; paths are slippery after rain.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Pen y Cae village

The Pen y Cae Inn and a handful of cottages; walk to nothing else.

Craig y Nos

Castle rooms and country-park lodging, about 2 km (1.2 mi) north on the A4067.

Abercrave / Ystradgynlais

More beds, shops and takeaways 5–10 min south by car.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
£70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
High
£120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Pub or B&B double room1 × 2 nights × £110£220
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £80£320
Car hire, one day, small car1 × £45£45
Fuel, about 80 km of valley driving1 × £10£10
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10£20
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£62
Trip total≈ £169 per person per day, bed included£677≈ US$950

2026 estimate in pounds; fuel and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Pub main course£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
Pint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
Showcaves adult ticket£18–22 (≈ US$25–30)
Country park parking, day£3–5 (≈ US$4–7)
Taxi Ystradgynlais → Pen y Cae£10–15 (≈ US$14–20)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A quiet, low-crime rural area. The real risks are the A4067's bends, single-track lanes, fast-changing hill weather and unmarked cave or quarry edges: stay on waymarked paths.
  • Single-track lanes with passing places; drive on the left and expect sheep.
  • Mobile signal is patchy in the valley and on the hills.
  • Cave and castle opening days change out of season: check before you drive.
  • Weather turns fast on the Beacons; carry a waterproof even on a clear morning.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
999
Police non-urgent
101
NHS non-urgent
111

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Pen y CaePen-y-cae

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

I'r cyfeiriad yma, os gwelwch yn ddaTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance999
  • Police non-urgent101
  • NHS non-urgent111

Embassy

No embassies in the valley; the US embassy is in London, and most countries keep consulates in Cardiff or London (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Showcaves adult ticket: £18–22 (≈ US$25–30)
  • Castle room from: £89 (≈ US$120)
  • Taxi Ystradgynlais → Pen y Cae: £10–15 (≈ US$14–20)

Say or show

  • Diolch — Thank you (DEE-olch)
  • Bore da — Good morning (BOR-eh dah)
  • Os gwelwch yn dda — Please (os GWEL-ookh un thah)
  • Ble mae'r toiled? — Where is the toilet? (bleh myr TOY-led)
  • Faint yw e? — How much is it? (fynt yoo eh)
  • Iechyd da — Cheers (YEH-khid dah)

Welsh and English are both used on signs; English works everywhere.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pen y Cae. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (wet, short days); bank holiday weekends for cave queues · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for CWL and BRS: drive times, last bus, taxi fallback.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: village, Craig y Nos, Dan-yr-Ogof, Abercrave.
  3. Place pages with verified opening days for the caves, castle and sanctuary.
  4. Wet-day fixtures so the valley works in October as well as July.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources