Streams
Park geography
A detailed look at the Welsh terrain, mapped land extent, and regional environmental context.
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park: geography
Location: Wales, United Kingdom. Recorded area: 1,344 km².
Wales' newest national park protecting the mountain heart of South Wales
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park is a protected landscape in South Wales that was established in 1957 and officially renamed in April 2023 to reflect its Welsh heritage. The park encompasses over 1,344 square kilometres of mountain ranges, moorland, forests, and river valleys in the heart of Wales, making it the third and most recently designated of Wales' three national parks. The park is named after the Bannau Brycheiniog mountain range, known in English as the Brecon Beacons, which forms the central spine of the protected area. This landscape of Old Red Sandstone mountains rises to 886 metres at Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales, and supports a distinctive mosaic of heath, grassland, and peat bogs that define the upland character of the region.
- Location
- United Kingdom
- Park type
- National park
- Established
- 1957
- Area
- 1,344 km²
- Highest point
- 886 m
Location overview
Regional and national placement within Wales and the United Kingdom
Geographic Setting of Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales
Brecon Beacons National Park is located in the United Kingdom, across Powys, Monmouthshire, and Wales. Records confirm its inland, non-transboundary status within these regional and national boundaries.
- Countries
- United Kingdom
- Regions
- Monmouthshire, Powys, Wales
- Primary location
- Wales
- Geographic setting
- Inland
Boundary and coordinates
Spatial measurements and boundary spread covering 1344 square kilometers
Brecon Beacons National Park Boundary Map and Geographic Limits
Mapped boundary geometry traces the protected landscape limits to provide clear spatial context of the regional terrain. Derived geographic measurements clarify the 1344 square kilometer area, coordinate spans, and central coordinates.
- Boundary area
- 1,350.9 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 268.8 km
- Northernmost point
- 52.0783° N
- Southernmost point
- 51.7021° N
- Easternmost point
- 2.9521° W
- Westernmost point
- 3.9896° W
- Geographic centre
- 51.8808° N, 3.433° W
- North–south span
- 41.9 km
- East–west span
- 71.4 km
Elevation and terrain
Track peak altitude points, regional relief, and recorded water bodies
Brecon Beacons National Park Elevation and Mountain Terrain Geography
Examine the recorded mountain elevation summary reaching 886 meters across the protected terrain. Review individual natural feature cards detailing rivers, streams, and forests located within the boundary.
- Highest point
- 886 m
Selected named natural features
Peaks
Twyn y Gaer
367 m
Streams
Nant y Coy
Peaks
Mynydd Pen-cyrn
529 m
Streams
Nant Cwy
Streams
Afon y Cym
Environmental setting
Temperate climate zones, mountain relief, and recorded habitat classifications
Brecon Beacons National Park Environmental Settings and Landscape Classifications
Recorded landscape features, habitat types, and relief categories provide a structured framework for reading the physical setting of Brecon Beacons National Park. Each classified attribute connects directly to related protected areas and regional atlas destinations within the database.
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
- Water
- Minor water
- Forest cover
- Sparse forest
- Seasonality
- Year-round
Landscape features
Mountains · Valleys · Grassland · Wetland · Rivers · Waterfalls · Cave · Karst
Habitat types
Grassland · Heath · Shrubland
Park atlas
Browse surrounding protected landscapes, trace regional park geography, and compare diverse Welsh terrain.
Discover More National Parks and Protected Areas Near Brecon Beacons National Park
Continue your exploration from Brecon Beacons National Park by discovering a curated list of nearby national parks and other protected areas across Wales. This comparative view helps map their distinct mountain ranges, moorland, and coastal landscapes within a broader regional context, enhancing your geographic understanding.
Biosphere reserveWales
About 39 km away#1 closest
Northwest
Dyfi Biosphere: Mapped Protected Landscapes and Coastal Geography in Western Wales
Discover the estuarine wetlands, raised mires, and Atlantic woodlands of a key Welsh biosphere reserve
The Dyfi Biosphere provides a comprehensive look at the geography of a protected coastal region in Wales. Its boundaries encompass diverse terrain ranging from the Ynyslas sand spit and salt marshes to the primary raised mire of Cors Fochno. This landscape functions as a vital wetland system, offering a clear visual representation of dune succession, peatland growth, and temperate Atlantic woodland ecosystems within a single, interconnected, and carefully monitored geographic area.
- Area
- 15.89 km²
- Established
- 1977
- Relief
- Mixed relief
- Climate
- Temperate
National parkPembrokeshire
46 km away#2 closest
West
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park: Mapped Coastal Boundaries and Protected Landscape Atlas
Explore unique seaside terrain and regional geography.
Delve into the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, a premier protected landscape recognized for its extraordinary coastal formations and diverse natural terrain. This atlas entry details the park's distinct mapped boundaries, from its iconic limestone cliffs and sea stacks to its sheltered estuaries and inland Preseli Hills. Understand how this significant national park contributes to the protected area map of Pembrokeshire and offers unparalleled opportunities for geographic discovery along the Welsh coast.
- Area
- 629 km²
- Established
- 1952
- IUCN
- V
- Relief
- Mixed relief
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55 km away#3 closest
Southeast
Somerset Levels Protected Landscape: Geographic Mapping and Wetland Terrain Analysis
A low-lying coastal plain and historic wetland basin in Somerset
Examine the distinct topography of the Somerset Levels, where flat horizons, pollarded willows, and ancient drainage channels create a unique English landscape. This protected area offers deep insight into prehistoric archaeology, including preserved Neolithic trackways, alongside modern wetland conservation of international significance within a rural basin.
- Area
- 650 km²
- Established
- 1997
- Relief
- Lowland
- Climate
- Temperate
National parkUnited Kingdom
56 km away#4 closest
South
Exmoor National Park
Mapped terrain, moorland, and dramatic coastal geography.
Exmoor National Park, in United Kingdom. Landscapes: mountains, hills, and valleys.
- Area
- 692 km²
- Established
- 1954
- IUCN
- V
- Visitors
- 1.4M annual
National parkWales
62 km away#5 closest
North
Snowdonia National Park: Protected Landscape and Map Exploration in North Wales
Mountain terrain, glacial lakes, and regional geography.
Snowdonia National Park offers a profound exploration of mountainous protected landscapes in North Wales. This page details the park's mapped boundaries, revealing a terrain shaped by glaciation, featuring dramatic peaks like Snowdon, steep valleys, and pristine glacial lakes. Understand its geographic identity within the United Kingdom and how its protected status contributes to the regional landscape context, providing a unique focus for atlas-based discovery.
- Area
- 2,142 km²
- Established
- 1951
- IUCN
- V
- Relief
- Mountain
Biosphere reserveDevon
About 87 km away#6 closest
Southwest
North Devon's Biosphere Reserve: Protected Landscapes and Geographic Map Exploration
Coastal dunes, estuaries, and marine habitats in North Devon
An extensive overview of North Devon's Biosphere Reserve, highlighting its role as a protected landscape in South West England. Analyze the distribution of its diverse terrain, including Britain's largest sand dune system, river catchments, and offshore coral reefs, through detailed geographic and habitat mapping.
- Area
- 5,262 km²
- Established
- 1976
- Visitors
- 4M annual
- Relief
- Lowland
Protected landscapeUnited Kingdom
108 km away#7 closest
South
Jurassic Coast
A comprehensive look at sedimentary formations in the United Kingdom
Jurassic Coast, in United Kingdom. Landscapes: coasts, beaches, and cliffs.
- Established
- 2001
- Relief
- Upland
- Climate
- Temperate
- Access
- Easy access
National parkDevon
114 km away#8 closest
South
Dartmoor National Park
Mapped protected area with significant Bronze Age remains.
Dartmoor National Park, in Devon, United Kingdom. Landscapes: mountains, hills, and valleys.
- Area
- 954 km²
- Established
- 1951
- IUCN
- V
- Visitors
- 11M annual
MoriAtlas Explorer
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Explore the map, landscapes, and protection details for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
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