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• Introduction
• A Countryside Getaway in the Brecon Beacons
• Great Hotel Deals
• How to Unsubscribe

Autumn is a great time of year in the British countryside; the weather is still warm enough to enjoy the fresh air and golden hues of the season. Your Britain Update from AboutBritain.com newsletter features an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Welsh countryside - The Brecon Beacons.

Don't forget to check out our Great Hotel Deals in each issue - even if you're not planning to visit the area featured in the main article: The Great Hotel Deals section always contains superb money-saving deals from other parts of the country too!

Quenton Fyfe
Editor

The Brecon Beacons National Park covers over 500 square miles, from the Black Mountain in the west to the valley of the River Usk in the east. The National Park contains a variety of beautiful scenery, with mountains, waterfalls, lakes and caves. The actual 'Beacons' rise to 2906 feet at Pen y Fan, their name derives from their use as a site for signal fires.

The area is popular all year with climbers, geologists, bird-watchers and botanists, but you don't have to be any of those to appreciate this beautiful part of Wales. There are all sorts of activities to choose from in the area, as well as interesting attractions to visit.

Abergavenny Museum and Castle presents the story of this historic market town, from Prehistoric and Roman times to the present day. Brecon is an interesting old town and a convenient base from which to explore the National Park. Brecon Cathedral contains the largest preserved cresset stone in Wales. (The cresset was an ancient stone, which had 30 cups containing oil for lighting the cathedral).

If you are interested in military history, be sure to visit the South Wales Borderer's Museum located in Brecon, home of the 'Old 24th', South Wales Borderer's, the Monmouthshire Regiment, with a varied and exciting tale to tell.

Just 20 minutes from Brecon is the National Showcaves Centre for Wales, where you will find entertainment for all the family - including an award-winning Dinosaur Park.

In complete contrast you can take a trip on Brecon Mountain Railway: Travel in an all-weather observation coach behind a vintage steam locomotive, through beautiful scenery. Then explore the footpath to a picnic site, with an amazing panoramic view of the valley.

The Brecon Beacons National Park offers visitors a vast choice of outdoor activities: Mountain climbing, hill walking and for the adventurous, paragliding and pot holing. There are also several pony trekking and riding centres. Golfers, cyclists and walkers are all well catered for.

After all that activity, you'll be ready for a rest; so why not enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Monmouthshire Canal from Brecon, through a landscape of peaceful scenery and wildlife.

Nestled in over 400 acres of beautiful Vale of Glamorgan countryside, the Vale Hotel, Golf and Country Club offers all the facilities required for a relaxing break. The Lakeside Restaurant specialises in Welsh cuisine. Extensive leisure facilities include an indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, gym, tennis courts, and an 18 hole golf course. And if you book through AboutBritain.com, you can stay at this superb hotel for three nights, and only pay for two! This offer is valid for stays until the end of November.

If you're looking for a great deal on a stay in London then the brand new City Inn Westminster - London's newest and largest hotel for over 30 years, is ideal. The spacious bedrooms are air conditioned and have the latest plasma television screens and satellite TV with DVD and CD. We have arranged a fantastic offer: Stay at this superb new hotel for £49 pppn instead of £89 - Great value from AboutBritain.com!

An excellent alternative if you're heading for the capital, the luxurious Montcalm Hotel Nikko is just a short walk from Oxford Street and Hyde Park, and is situated in a quiet, elegant Georgian crescent and has recently been refurbished to the highest of standards. Now, by booking through AboutBritain.com, you can treat yourselves for only £57.50 pppn instead of £89.

Brighton is one of the most elegant and fashionable of Britain's seaside resorts. The Old Ship Hotel has recently been restored to its former glory and is a wonderful base from which to enjoy Brighton - situated on the sea front. As if our usual price of £69 (midweek) wasn't keen enough - we've now obtained a special discount so you can stay for only £55 pppn! (Sun-Fri). Don't hang about though; this offer is only valid until the end of October, and availability is strictly limited.

All prices are per person per night - based on 2 adults sharing a twin/double room. (Don't worry about the Standard Rates shown - your special price will be calculated and shown before you book). Availability at these prices is limited, so don't delay!

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