Welsh Crannog Centre at LLangorse Lake, Brecon Beacons

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Life on the lake. Lake life in the Dark Ages

This traditionally built roundhouse jutting out into Llangorse Lake is the Welsh Crannog Centre – a great place to get some insight into life in the Dark Ages, here in the heart of the Brecon Beacons. It offers views out onto the largest natural lake in south Wales and a tiny man-made island called Ynys Bwlc, which is thought to have been there since around 900 AD. The island was built as a crannog, an ancient lake dwelling of which there are hundreds in Scotland and Ireland, but only this one in Wales. Although there is no building on the island itself now, it is thought to have once been home to royalty, constructed by the King of Brycheiniog, then a small kingdom in this part of Wales.

The lake itself has been here since the last Ice Age and has long been the centre of myths and legends – including having its own afanc, a monster who preys on those who fall into the water. It is at the very least home to lots of wildlife, including pike, eels, otters, water voles and plenty of birds from warblers to Canada geese. Surrounded by hills, fields, meadows and with a view of Pen Y Fan, the highest peak in south Wales, this beautiful spot is also a popular place for walks and picnics.