To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site.  Learn more

Allow cookies
Craig Y Cilau

Book Tickets Online

About

This former limestone quarry is one of Wales' most outstanding botanical sites, famous for its exceptional variety of alpine plants and trees, some extremely rare.

Craig-y-Cilau is no untouched wilderness. Take one look at its spectacular escarpment of limestone cliffs and its is strikingly obvious that large-scale quarrying once played a major role here. Sections of the cliff are scooped out while others remain in their natural state. It is this combination of natural and industrial history that gives the reserve its compelling character.

Perched high on the hillside above the Usk Valley, Craig-y-Cilau consists of a sweeping amphitheatre of cliffs and screes that curls around the edge of Mynydd Llangatwg. This craggy, 120m-high curtain is one of the largest limestone cliffs in South Wales. Together with its grassier, gentler lower reaches, it forms a reserve famous for its variety of plants.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the cliffs were quarried for limestone, a key ingredient in the ironmaking process. The limestone was hauled by horse-drawn tramway – the route of which still exists – all the way to the ironworks at Brynmawr and by incline down to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal at Llangattock.

The reserve is open to the public. Access is free. Some areas are rough and slippery underfoot. The weather can change rapidly. Suitable clothing and footwear is essential. Rocks regularly fall off or over the cliffs; for your own safety keep away from the foot of cliffs. The reserve is grazed by ponies and sheep for most of the year. Please follow the Countryside Code and keep dogs under close control.

Book Tickets

Map & Directions

Road Directions

There are access points from the unmarked road out of Llangattock which joins the B4506 road between Llangynidr and Brynmawr. Alternatively, from Llangattock, follow Hillside Road for approximately 500m, then turn right onto another very narrow, winding and steep lane that will take you up to the top of the escarpment. Once up on the top look out for another very sharp right hand turn which leads to a track at the end of the road. OS grid reference SO186160.

Roadside parking, 200m from the reserve, and a car park, a mile from the reserve.

Craig y Cilau National Nature Reserve (NRW)

Type:Nature Reserve

Llangattock, Crickhowell, NP8 1LG

Add Craig y Cilau National Nature Reserve (NRW) to your Itinerary

Close window

Call direct on:

Tel01874 620860

What's Nearby

  1. The Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons National Park are spread across Powys,…

    1.68 miles away
  2. Restored courtyard house with origins in the fourteenth century. Rebuilt by Sir Roger…

    3.69 miles away
  3. The Museum was founded on 2nd July 1959. The idea for a Museum was around from as early…

    5.8 miles away
  4. Llangorse has the largest natural lake in south Wales, it boasts an ancient Crannog and…

    8.61 miles away
  1. Goytre Wharf is a 200 year old industrial heritage site that includes a busy visitor…

    8.67 miles away
  2. Garwnant Visitor Centre and holiday cabins are managed by Forest Holidays. The centre…

    11.23 miles away
  3. Bronllys Castle near Talgarth is a sturdy stone tower with a turbulent history. It was…

    12.29 miles away
  4. The Geopark is set within the Brecon Beacons National Park in south Wales. It comprises…

    12.31 miles away
  5. The Museum tells the story of four of the British army’s most famous regiments. This…

    12.49 miles away
  6. The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is often voted Britain's prettiest canal. It runs for 32…

    12.6 miles away
  7. Y Gaer is an exciting and inspirational development in the centre of Brecon, bringing…

    12.77 miles away
  8. This 21 acre hillside site embodies the essence of all that is best about the woodland…

    12.93 miles away
  9. Founded as a Benedictine priory, it then became the parish church of Brecon in 1537, a…

    13.01 miles away
  10. Pen y Fan and Corn Du are the two highest peaks of the central Brecon Beacons. They…

    14.75 miles away
  11. Fort built about AD 75 near the River Usk. Remains consist of the perimeter wall, corner…

    15.34 miles away
  12. Craig Cerrig-gleisiad and Fan Frynych National Nature Reserve is a 156 acre (631,000 m²)…

    15.42 miles away
Previous Next

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss