Welcome to
Garwnant Visitor Centre
This family-friendly forest has everything you need for a fantastic day out in the great outdoors
Get ready to plan your visit
Garwnant Visitor Centre is set in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons National Park), just off the A470 north of Merthyr Tydfil. Situated within 400 acres of woodland on the northern side of Llwyn-on Reservoir, you’ll find walking trails, mountain bike routes, bike hire, children’s activities and play area, a Visitor Centre, café, gift shop and much more.
Opening times
The Visitor Centre is open every day from 9am - 5pm (8.30am - 8pm on Mondays and Fridays)
Start your day out at the Visitor Centre where you'll find useful information, maps, trail guides and inspiration for great places to visit. You can book activities including Forest Ranger and pottery painting sessions, hire bikes or browse our gift shop.
Close to the Visitor Centre you’ll find toilets and baby changing facilities plus our café for delicious food and drink to fuel your day out.
Garwnant Visitor Centre
A night of Murder Mystery
Join us at Garwnant for a night of sleuthing, food and fun, while you help crack the case. Tickets cost £39.95, including dinner and a drink.
A Christmas Twist
Steampunk London, 1880, where the reading of Inspector LeStrayed’s new book takes a twist in a deadly direction….
Dates available: 14 December, 16 December, 3 January 2026
Fatal Eclipse of the Heart
It's 2046, where the Prime Minister of the Eclipse Party hosts his first murderous media meeting at his country retreat…
Dates available: 8 November
Book your place in the Visitor Centre or call us on: 01685 377371
Just call us on 01685 377371 to book onto any of the activities below.
Nature by Night
Evenings in the forest just got even more extraordinary. Join our Forest Rangers for a guided walk around the woodland as you uncover the world of biofluorescence.
Disc Golf
With a fun twist on frisbee, make your way around the Disc Golf course. Compete for the lowest score and sink each hole with as few throws as possible.
What’s on
Archery
Ready, aim… a fun challenge for the whole family, why not give Archery a go? Line up, take aim, and see who can hit the bull’s eye.
Guided Walk
Get to know the forest through local eyes. Start off with a drink, then follow a circular five-mile route through the cabins and around the Llwyn-Onn reservoir. Every Tuesday and Saturday.
After a day spent in the forest, visit our café and enjoy hand stretched pizzas, cream teas, seasonal specials and a range of sandwiches whilst taking in the views. Bring your dog along, they’re welcome too.
Open daily from 8.30am - 5pm (7.30pm in July and August)
Forest Café
Activities and experiences
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Bike hire
Explore Garwnant and the surrounding area on two wheels! Hire bikes from the Visitor Centre and hop on for the day.
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Pottery painting
Get creative in the forest with our kids’ and adults’ pottery painting. Choose your piece and get painting – it’s a great activity for a rainy day.
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Gift shop
Visit our gift shop for books, games, gifts, cuddly toys, souvenirs, and treats. You can also pick up a refreshing cold drink or ice lolly.
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Events
Look out for events throughout the year, from Forest Ranger guided walks to seasonal activities at Easter and Halloween.
Forest Ranger adventures
Try something new on your next visit. Uncover animal tracks, build dens, search for mini beasts and learn about the forest. Our Forest Rangers are experts in helping you have fun in the great outdoors and our activities are designed in harmony with the forest. Discover Forest Ranger experiences perfect for all the family.
Activities on offer
Forest Survival | Weds & Sat
Mini Forest Rangers | Thurs & Sat
Little Wild Ones | Tues, Thurs & Sun
Guided Woodland Walk | Weds & Sun
Archery | Tues & Sun
Nature by Night | Sept - May | Weds & Sun
Book your session at the Visitor Centre
There are plenty of parking spaces for cars, minibuses and coaches including blue badge spaces closer to the Visitor Centre.
Our car park uses number plate recognition (ANPR) so there’s no need to display a ticket. Simply pay for your parking at a pay station before you leave.
Car parking
Cars up to 2 hours - £2.00
Cars all day - £5.00
Coaches and minibuses - £10.00 (any duration)
Charges
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Picnic area
Pack a picnic and enjoy the view from our picnic benches situated close to the Visitor Centre, Forest Café and play area.
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Play area
Explore our outdoor play area featuring swings, climbing frame, wooden obstacle course and a zip wire. There’s something for everyone.
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Meeting room hire
Discover our bright meeting room with Wi-Fi and a wall mounted TV, ideal for local businesses and groups, parties, and school trips. Find out more at the Visitor Centre.
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We're dog friendly
Dogs are welcome in our Visitor Centre and Forest Café. There’s water bowls available in the courtyard and a range of dog treats and gifts in our shop.
The Visitor Centre and café is accessible for visitors with additional requirements. Parking for Blue Badge holders is close to the Visitor Centre, café and changing places toilets (with baby changing facility) which can be accessed via a ramp. A key is required to access these toilets, just ask a member of the team at the Forest Café.
You’ll also find an accessible trail suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs and picnic tables with easy access for wheelchairs and electric buggies.
Accessibility
No barbecues or fires
Barbecues are not allowed on site due to the fire risk. However, we do have a large outdoor area for picnics.
Baby changing facilities
Our Visitor Centre is family friendly and baby changing facilities are available.
Toilets (including a changing places facility) are next to the Visitor Centre and are locked at night.
