Major city · United Kingdom
CrickhowellCrug Hywel
Base here 2 nights if you want Black Mountains walks from the door; skip it as a day trip from Abergavenny unless you have a car.
Crickhowell is a small town of about 2,100 people on the A40 between Abergavenny and Brecon, on the River Usk at the southern edge of the Black Mountains and inside Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. People come for hillwalking, mountain biking, climbing, fly-fishing and camping, not for a sightseeing checklist. Two nights covers the town and one full hill day; a car or a bus timetable makes the difference between a good stop and a stranded one.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (wet, short days); bank holiday weekends for parking
- Airports
- CWL · BRS · LHR
- Nights
- 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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Crickhowell999 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- Police, fire, ambulance (EU-wide)112
- NHS non-urgent advice (England and Wales)111
- Police non-urgent101
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 Crickhowell, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA low-crime small town; the real risks are mountain weather, unmarked drops on the hill paths and the busy A40 through the centre.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 112 police, fire, ambulance (eu-wide) · 111 NHS non-urgent advice (England and Wales)
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCWL Cardiff Airport (About 1 h 15 min by car via the A470 and A40; bus links are slow, so check before you rely on them.).
- Getting aroundThe town itself is walkable in 10 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£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)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, Abergavenny to Crickhowell£15–25 (≈ US$20–35)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
- Budget bedCampsite pitch (tent), a night, per room£20 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedPub or B&B double room, a night, per room£120 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedPub or B&B double room, a night, per room£200 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £80 (≈ US$110) · High £150 (≈ US$200)
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.
- Airports
- CWL Cardiff Airport (About 1 h 15 min by car via the A470 and A40; bus links are slow, so check before you rely on them.) · BRS Bristol Airport (About 1 h 30 min by car via the M5 and A40.) · LHR London Heathrow (About 2 h 45 min by car; rail via Newport or Abergavenny is usually easier.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (16 rain days), driest Jun (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Crickhowell: 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)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
16 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
13 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
15 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
16 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
16 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
The town itself is walkable in 10 minutes end to end. For the hills, the canal and Tretower you need a car, a bike or a bus: rural services are thin and Sunday runs are limited, so check the current timetable the day before. Abergavenny, about 8 km southeast on the A40, is the nearest rail station and the usual arrival point.
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: About 30 min
A40 bus or car, about 15 min
Nearest rail station, market town with a castle and a food festival in September.
Tretower Court and Castle
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Car or bike via the A40 and B4560, about 10 min
Cadw site with a small castle and a restored medieval court; opening days and admission vary by season, so check Cadw before you go.
Door to door: About 45 min
A40 bus or car, about 30 min
Cathedral town with a canal basin and the national park visitor centre nearby.
Door to door: About 50 min
Car via the A40 and A479, about 35 min
Bookshops and a castle; a half day is enough outside festival season.
Blaenavon
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via the A4042, about 40 min
Big Pit and the ironworks are worth it, but public transport is slow: check connections before you commit.
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.
High Street and town centre
Pubs with rooms, the historic Bear Hotel and the Dragon Inn; walk to everything, including the bridge.
Gliffaes and the Usk valley west
Upscale country hotel in a parkland setting about 3 km (1.9 mi) west; you need a car or a taxi.Upscale country hotel in a parkland setting about 1.9 mi (3 km) west; you need a car or a taxi.
Glanusk Estate and Cwm Crawnon
Caravan and camping site near the river; good for tents and tourers, quiet at night.
Llangynidr and the canal
Village about 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest with self-catering units and Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal towpath walks.Village about 3.1 mi (5 km) southwest with self-catering units and Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal towpath walks.
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
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pub or B&B double room1 × 2 nights × £120 | £240 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £80 | £320 |
| A40 bus, Abergavenny return2 × £8 | £16 |
| Pub main course2 × £16 | £32 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £63 |
| Trip total≈ £173 per person per day, bed included | £691≈ US$950 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Wales excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £12–20 (≈ US$16–30) |
| Pint of beer | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Campsite pitch, per night | £25–30 (≈ US$35–40) |
| Taxi, Abergavenny to Crickhowell | £15–25 (≈ US$20–35) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–15 (≈ US$11–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rural bus services are infrequent and can stop early; check times the day before, and never plan a hill walk around a last bus you have not confirmed.
- Mountain weather changes fast: carry a waterproof, a map and a charged phone, and tell someone your route.
- Mobile signal is patchy in the Black Mountains and on the higher lanes.
- Parking in the town centre is limited on summer weekends and bank holidays; arrive before mid-morning.
- The A40 through town is a busy trunk road: use the pavements and cross at the marked points.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police, fire, ambulance (EU-wide)
- 112
- NHS non-urgent advice (England and Wales)
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CrickhowellCrug Hywel
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
I'r cyfeiriad hwn, os gwelwch yn ddaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- EU-wide emergency112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in town; the nearest are in Cardiff or London. US and most Commonwealth citizens: check the UK embassy list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Abergavenny → Crickhowell (A40): about £4 (≈ US$6) single, about 15 min
- Taxi Abergavenny station → Crickhowell: £15–25 (≈ US$20–35)
- Campsite pitch, per night: £25–30 (≈ US$35–40)
Say or show
- Helo — Hello (HEH-loh)
- Diolch — Thank you (DEE-olch)
- Os gwelwch yn dda — Please (os GWEL-ookh un thah)
- Hwyl fawr — Goodbye (hoo-il vowr)
- Ble mae'r toiled? — Where is the toilet? (bleh myr TOY-led)
- Faint yw e? — How much is it? (fynt yoo eh)
Welsh is spoken alongside English in the area; a few words go a long way.
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 Crickhowell. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (wet, short days); bank holiday weekends for parking · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CWL and BRS: last bus and rail departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: town and bridge, Table Mountain and Crug Hywel, the canal at Llangynidr, Tretower.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Tretower, Big Pit, Brecon cathedral) and eat pages with last orders.
- Wet-day and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Crickhowell
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