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Project

New car park for Pen y Fan

Two walkers in wet-weather gear stand on a bridge with a stream running beneath it in a moorlands landscape
Walkers exploring the Beacons Way path between Pont ar Daf and Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons National Park | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Are you one of the thousands that visit Pen y Fan every year? You may have noticed that South Wales’ highest peak is getting busier year on year. That is why we're creating a new, fit-for-purpose car park at Pont ar Daf, the most popular access point for climbing Pen y Fan.

Facilities and access

We’re proud to look after Pen Y Fan and we want to make sure that everyone who visits can experience the beauty of this special place. More than 500,000 people visit Pen y Fan every year, and this new car park will help ensure they can start their journey with access to all the facilities they'll need, in a space that will also be in keeping with the natural surroundings of the area.

‘We’re thrilled to be able to take this project to delivery stage. A new car park has long been needed and it will transform our visitor welcome, allowing people to experience this incredible place at its best.’

– Alan Kearsley-Evans, General Manager, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) and Gower

The vision for Pont ar Daf car park

Our plans for Pont ar Daf include around 200 extra car parking spaces, with provision for disabled users, electric vehicle charging points, parking for minibuses, coaches and cyclists, and an area for the emergency services and other similarly related users of the mountain range.

The planned new visitor facilities will include toilets with disabled access, a Changing Places toilet, and baby changing facilities, some of which will be available 24 hours a day. Improvements to signage, footpaths and information will also allow people to better plan their day.

Frequently asked questions

When will Pont ar Daf car park be finished?

The majority of the new car park at Pont ar Daf is now open, with over 180 parking spaces available and a new amenity building.

Please be aware that work is still ongoing in some parts of the car park including the electric vehicle charging bays.

Will I be able to park at Pont ar Daf whilst the work is ongoing?

The majority of the car park is now open and we’re looking forward to welcoming you.

Will the opening times of the car park change?

As with most National Trust car parks, the completed parts of the car park at Pont ar Daf are open dawn until dusk, all year round. Part of the car park will also be available 24 hours a day. This may change as we better understand how visitors use the new car park.

Will I have to pay to use the new car park?

National Trust members can park for free at Pont ar Daf car park as you can do in all other National Trust car parks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Non-members will be charged a flat fee of £7.50 per vehicle to park, payable via cash at a pay & display machine or by Pay By Phone. The option to pay by card is available seven days a week between 8am and 4pm when staff are on site. Parking charges apply 24 hours a day.

This introduction of a parking charge will enable us to raise the vital funds we need to maintain facilities and carry out important conservation work in the Brecon Beacons.

Why are you introducing car parking charges at Pont ar Daf?

Like many other organisations, the National Trust has been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, we’ve had to rethink our operating model at many of the places we look after.

We are a charity and rely on the income we receive from our visitors to help us look after the special places in our care. By introducing car parking charges at Pont ar Daf, we can continue to raise the vital funds we need to maintain facilities and carry out important conservation work across the Brecon Beacons.

Will payment be by cash or card?

The parking charge of £7.50 per vehicle is payable via cash at a pay & display machine or by Pay By Phone. The option to pay by card is available seven days a week between 8am and 4pm when staff are on site.

Will the car park at Pont a Daf be staffed?

A new National Trust welcome team are available at the car park seven days a week, between 8am and 4pm, to help you better plan your day out in the Brecon Beacons.

I’m a blue badge holder, will I have to pay?

If you’re a blue badge holder, you can park for free in any of our pay-and-display car parks. Just display your badge clearly on your dashboard.

What about people who arrive at Pont ar Daf on foot, bicycle or public transport?

We will not be charging for access. You will not need to pay if you arrive by bicycle, on foot, or by public transport.

Will there be any spaces provided for visitors who want to stop at Pont ar Daf to use the amenities?

If you’re making a shorter stop of up to 10 minutes, a small number of spaces are available, free of charge.

Will there by space for motorhomes and campervans to park in the new car park?

Everyone is welcome to use the new car park at Pont ar Daf including motorhomes and campervans, however overnight stays will not be possible. If you're planning on staying in the area overnight, we'd encourage you to use official camping and caravan parks in the in the Brecon Beacons National Park and wider area. Suitable sites can be found here: www.breconbeacons.org

Can I park overnight at Pont ar Daf car park?

A section of the new car park at Pont ar Daf will be open 24 hours a day so that the Brecon Beacons mountain range can be accessed for hikes/ outdoor exercise during the day and night. However overnight stays will not be possible. If you're planning on staying in the area overnight, we'd encourage you to use official camping and caravan parks in the in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park and wider area.

I am not a National Trust member; do I have to pay to park during nighttime hours?

Parking charges apply at Pont ar Daf car park 24 hours a day. This introduction of a parking charge will enable us to raise the vital funds we need to maintain facilities and carry out important conservation work in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons).

Can I charge my electric vehicle at Pont ar Daf?

Electric vehicle charging points will be part of the new and improved facilities provided at Pont ar Daf car park. Due to delays in works to the car park the charging points aren’t currently in operation. We apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

If you’ve any other questions regarding Pont ar Daf or our work at other places in Bannau Brycheiniog please get in touch by emailing brecon@nationaltrust.org.uk and we will be pleased to help.

The project has been made possible thanks to part funding by the Welsh Government through the Visit Wales Tourism Investment Support Scheme.

View from Pen y Fan to Corn Du in the Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

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