Beginners Navigation for Women Holiday in the Brecon Beacons

Nythfa House

3 nights at an HF Country House

Availability Oct-Nov 2026, Feb 2027

One itinerary available

Full Board

Grades 2 details

80kg CO2 details

Non-members From

£489

pp

Members From

£459

pp

For group booking of 10 or more please click here
There’s an art to navigating the outdoors that goes beyond mastering a GPS tracking device and loading a smartphone app. The National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) Bronze Navigator Award is designed for beginners who are seeking to improve their navigation skills and build confidence in the outdoors. Upon successful completion of the course, you’ll be able to plan and follow your own countryside walks, with a good understanding of safety, weather, kit and judgement of time and distance. This holiday is exclusively for women and no previous experience of navigating with a map and compass is required.

Accommodation

HF Country House
Not many places in the UK outshine Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) National Park when it comes to wide open spaces and walks with incredible views. So it’s easy to see the appeal of Nythfa House. With its name meaning ‘nesting place’ in Welsh, once you settle in you'll never want to leave. Built in 1867 as a private residence, this charming property is perfect for those seeking a rural retreat, yet one which is just a 10-minute walk from the Welsh market town of Brecon. It sits on a hill above The Struet, one of Brecon’s oldest and most historic streets, famed for its Charles I connections who visited the town during the English Civil War. Nythfa House also puts you within easy reach of some of the area’s show-stealing walking spots, including the Black Mountains, the Mellte Valley, and Pen y Fan - the highest point in the national park at 886 metres. Equally visit-worthy is the Big Pit National Coal Museum in Blaenavon, the National Showcaves Centre for Wales in Abercrave, and the bibliophile’s paradise that is Hay-on-Wye. Should time allow, Hereford and Cardiff are both just an hour’s drive away.
Nythfa House with blue sky.JPG

Walking grades and options

While these aren’t walking holidays as such, it’s essential that you have a level of fitness that will allow you to enjoy your experience to the fullest. Please prepare to be on your feet and outdoors for most of the day (usually 6-7hrs). You will cover anything up to 7 to 9 miles over the course of a day.


What You’ll Love

  • Having the chance to complete the NNAS Bronze Navigator Award
  • Learning basic navigation skills through practical indoor and outdoor exercises
  • The expertise of a knowledgeable and experienced tutor
  • Joining a group of like-minded women
  • Staying at our country house  
  • A more personalised experience thanks to small group sizes (maximum 8 people to 1 leader)

What's Included

  • Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
  • Cream tea on arrival day
  • Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
  • Daily packed lunches
  • Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
  • Registration with the NNAS

Reviews


Itinerary

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

Itinerary

Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

At 17:00 meet your leader and fellow guests in reception where you will have a welcome to the course.

Our days will be spent working through a range of practical indoor and outdoor exercises
that will help us cover the Bronze Navigator Award Syllabus: 

  • Navigate using a variety of maps and scales.
  • Use 4 and 6 figure grid references with worded descriptions to define the position of a map feature and to locate a feature on the ground.
  • Orientate the map using handrails, obvious point features and major landforms.
  • Use linear features (e.g. paths, tracks, clear boundaries) as handrails in simple navigation exercises.
  • Relate prominent landforms such as large hills and valleys to corresponding contour information on the map.
  • Orientate the map by aligning a compass needle against grid north and be aware that magnetic variation causes an inaccuracy.
  • Use an orientated map to confirm the direction of travel.
  • Use clearly identifiable features to confirm position along the route and to recognise when the target has been overshot.
  • Measure horizontal distance on the map and estimate distance on the ground using timing, pacing and simple visual judgements e.g.100m.
  • Plan and implement simple routes and navigation strategies based on the above skills.
  • Recognise a navigation error within a few minutes and apply simple relocation techniques using handrails and prominent features.
  • Be aware of the use of mobile phone location apps as a back up to map and compass and in emergencies.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of local and national access issues, access legislation, personal responsibilities, the Countryside Code and sustainability.
  • Demonstrate appropriate knowledge of walking equipment, safety equipment and emergency procedures.

If you would like more information about what you will learn on a Bronze course please read these Participant Notes.

Assessment for the Bronze award is optional.

Pre course reading material:

OS map reading tips

Countryside Code

Mountain Rescue stay safe fact file

You will be outside for parts of the course and there will be some standing around outside so please bring plenty of warm clothing with you.

You can expect to walk between 5 to 7 miles each day.

The course includes map work exercises and walk planning in the evenings. Maps will be provided for use during the course, if you have a compass please bring one with you to help with orientating the map.

 
 

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

Daily Walk Options

Grade 2

Easier Walks

Good paths but walks are a bit longer. Some walks, particularly in mountain areas, may have sections over rough or steeper terrain.

Accommodation

Nythfa House

Not many places in the UK outshine Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) National Park when it comes to wide open spaces and walks with incredible views. So it’s easy to see the appeal of Nythfa House. With its name meaning ‘nesting place’ in Welsh, once you settle in you'll never want to leave. Built in 1867 as a private residence, this charming property is perfect for those seeking a rural retreat, yet one which is just a 10-minute walk from the Welsh market town of Brecon. It sits on a hill above The Struet, one of Brecon’s oldest and most historic streets, famed for its Charles I connections who visited the town during the English Civil War. Nythfa House also puts you within easy reach of some of the area’s show-stealing walking spots, including the Black Mountains, the Mellte Valley, and Pen y Fan - the highest point in the national park at 886 metres. Equally visit-worthy is the Big Pit National Coal Museum in Blaenavon, the National Showcaves Centre for Wales in Abercrave, and the bibliophile’s paradise that is Hay-on-Wye. Should time allow, Hereford and Cardiff are both just an hour’s drive away.

A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out). 

Evening entertainment

While evening entertainment varies from house to house, HF Holidays Inter-House Quiz night held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided waking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.

Walks talks 
Our HF Holidays walk leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on guided walking holiday arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s guided walks (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.  

The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house. 

You are welcome to check in from 4pm at the earliest. HF Members can check in earlier, from 2pm. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team. Check out 10am.

 •  31 well-appointed guest rooms  •  Exclusive occupancy: 43 guests minimum  •  Check in from 4:00pm • For members check in from 2:00pm •  Free Wi-Fi  •  Free on-site parking  •  Boot room and drying room  •  Travel cot & high chair  •  Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and information for self-guided walks  •  Books and games to borrow  •  Licensed bar  •  Lounges  •  Garden with putting green and croquet lawn  •  Electric vehicle charging point - Please note, you will need to bring your own cables to use this EV charging point Visit Wales

Seasonal dining, tailored for you

Our team of skilled chefs design our dinner menus to showcase the best of each season, from warming winter comfort food to vibrant summer dishes, including vegetarian, vegan  and high-protein options. We also source fruit and vegetables within a  40-mile radius of each house, open every break with a Chef’s Special menu inspired by dishes and flavours of the local area, and are able to adapt dishes to suit special dietary requirements.

Welcome Cream Tea

What better way to start your stay than with a cream tea, served fresh on arrival to make you feel instantly at home.  A quintessentially English tradition, our scones are baked in-house and served with preserves and clotted cream, providing the perfect opportunity to meet fellow walkers.

A hearty breakfast to start the day

Start the day with a freshly-prepared cooked breakfast  and a wide choice from our continental buffet, including  hot drinks, juices and fresh fruit. Our team offer a quick  and friendly service, leaving you fuelled and ready for your day’s adventures.

Our famous picnic lunch

Our personalised picnic lunches are perfect for a day out walking, ready to enjoy when hunger strikes. Choose from a large selection of fresh sandwiches and salads, freshly baked cakes and snacks, including the ever-popular Freddos chocolate bar! Everything is designed to fit neatly into your rucksack, and all of the packaging we provide is recyclable or compostable.

3-course evening meals

Our à la carte evening menus feature a wide choice of starters, mains, and desserts, made with seasonal ingredients and, wherever possible, herbs and vegetables from our own gardens. Shared around sociable tables, dinners are relaxed occasions, with drinks available to order at the table or from the bar, and a traditional Sunday roast to round off the week.

Designed with your comfort in mind, Nythfa House has 31 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior. 

Classic rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV. 

Premium rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.

Superior rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surroundings*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers. 

We love: Rooms 6 and 7 in the main house both have gorgeous views across the garden and the Brecon Beacons. Room 21 is up in the eaves and has a separate seating area (please be mindful of the low ceilings). The garden guest rooms are very pretty and have their own small deck.  

The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply. 

Room supplements

Superior Premium single Premium double/twin Choose your room
£25 pppn £20 pppn £20 pppn £30 per room

 

*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location 

For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Nythfa House

 

Getting here

Address

Nythfa House
Brecon
Powys LD3 7NN

Tel: +44 (0)1874 624287

By train

The nearest station is Abergavenny, from here you can take a bus or taxi to Brecon (see details below).

Check National Rail for train times and routes. 

By taxi

The 21-mile journey from Abergavenny railway station takes 40 minutes to one hour.   

For pricing, please contact A&A Cabs directly.

A&A Cabs
You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended company, A&A Cabs*. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:

Tel: +44 (0)1874 622288
Email: aandabrecon@yahoo.ie

A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Nythfa House.

*A&A Cabs is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.

By bus

The X43 bus operates from Abergavenny station to Brecon and takes about an hour. The most convenient bus stop for Nythfa House is the bus interchange in Brecon.  

For bus times check Traveline. 

By car

The A40 from Abergavenny and the A470 from the northwest converge at a roundabout on the Brecon bypass. 

At the roundabout, follow the B4601 into Brecon. Turn right at the second mini roundabout on to Heol Gouesnou road. Drive straight over another mini roundabout and go straight on at the traffic lights. Turn right into Mount Street, then take the second left into Belle View Road. At the top of the road, go straight ahead up the drive to Nythfa House.

By air

The nearest airport is Cardiff. 

Catch the 905 bus service to Rhoose Railway Station bus stop. Take the train from Rhoose Cardiff International Airport to Cathays Station and walk 10 mins to Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station. From here take the T14 bus to Brecon. You’ll need to allow up to 3.5 hours.

An alternate option is to fly to Heathrow airport. Take a train to London Paddington Station, where there are trains to Abergavenny (with one change at Newport). Here you can take a bus or taxi to Brecon.

More Information

Packing list - Navigation - Bronze

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong type of clothing!” goes the adage. Come prepared for all eventualities and you’ll walk in comfort as well as safety. Britain’s famous for its changeable weather, so here’s our advice on what to wear and bring.

Essentials

  • Waterproof walking boots providing ankle support and good grip.
  • A waterproof jacket and over-trousers
  • Gloves and a warm hat (it can be chilly at any time of the year)
  • Rucksack
  • Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)
  • A small torch (everywhere in winter, year round in mountains)
  • Compass - any compass is fine but if you plan on completing your Silver award in the future we recommend a compass which has a baseplate, 360 degree protractor, map measuring features, plus scales of 1:25k and 1:50k. An example compass is the Silva Expedition 4.
  • Sun hat and sunscreen
  • Several layers of clothing, which can be added or removed
    Denim jeans and waterproof capes are not suitable on any walks.

Recommended

  • Specialist walking socks to avoid blisters.
  • A first aid kit inc plasters– your leader’s first aid kit doesn’t contain any medication
  • Sit mat (insulated pad to sit on when you stop for a break)

You might also want

  • Walking poles, particularly useful for descents.
  • Insect repellent
  • Flask for hot drinks
  • Rigid lunch box
  • Gaiters
  • Blister kit (eg Compeed) just in case
  • Waterproof rucksack liner
  • Notebook & pen for taking down learning notes

Carbon Footprint - 80kg CO2

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

Learn more

Reviews

Code: BRE03-NVW01

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Dates & availability

Beginners Navigation for Women Holiday in the Brecon Beacons

Members save an additional £30 on this booking and get a range of other exclusive benefits. You can join during booking process. Read more about membership

2026

16 Oct - 19 Oct 2026

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£559

pp

Members

£529

pp
Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

£589

pp

£559

pp

20 Nov - 23 Nov 2026

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£489

pp

Members

£459

pp
Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

£519

pp

£489

pp

2027

26 Feb - 1 Mar 2027

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£529

pp

Members

£499

pp
Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

£559

pp

£529

pp
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Trusted British co-operative

We are proud to be Britain’s only walking holiday co-operative. Led by almost 40,000 members, offering hundreds of holidays across the UK and overseas, with all surplus being reinvested back into our Society.

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Flexible choice of guided walks

Experienced volunteer HF Leaders guide every walk at our UK country houses, offering up to three daily options. Making it easy to find a holiday to suit your ability, and with the flexibility to switch grades each walking day.

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Book early with confidence

Become an HF Member to benefit from our Price Pledge. Secure your first choice of holiday early, and if the cost drops after you book, we will automatically refund the difference (exc. travel agent & group bookings).

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Book with confidence

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

If we cancel your holiday, we honour all refund requests 

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Travel with confidence

We know that peace of mind is priceless, so we’ll always go above and beyond to meet – and exceed – expectations

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

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HF Holidays

A British heritage brand with 111 years of experience

Offering a choice of over 260 itineraries in nearly 40 countries

Run as a co-operative with 40,000-plus members

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