14. Cae Eglwys Nature Reserve

This reserve is a good example of a traditional wildflower meadow, a rare habitat in these days of intensively managed farmland where large quantities of both fertiliser and grazing animals are applied to meadows that may have once looked like this, but are now bright green with very few plant species surviving.

What to look out for:

The meadow is home to a range of colourful and less common plants. In spring look out for adder's tongue fern and flower spikes of common spotted orchids. In the summer, knapweed, bird's foot trefoil, fleabane and the delicate flowers of harebell provide a kaleidoscope of colour.

All these wildflowers attract a wide range of butterflies and brown hare lie up in the dense grass cover. In winter birds come to feed on the seedheads still standing and on the many insects living in the sward.

The meadow also affords stunning views across to both the Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains.

From Brecon, take the B4520 Upper Chapel road. After approximately three miles turn left at a junction signed for Sarnau and follow the road up to the village. Take the left turn by the letter box and follow this lane up the hill. The lane quickly deteriorates into a very rough track. After 500m, pass over a cattle grid and the reserve entrance gate is on your left.

You can park either by the reserve entrance (both in or outside the reserve), or in Sarnau. BUT please do not block roads, property entrances or use private parking spaces.

Nearest town: Sarnau. Post code LD3 9PR.

OS map sheet 160. Grid reference SO 025 333

An open access reserve, you are allowed to visit the reserve on foot for your quiet enjoyment of the wildlife present. Please keep dogs on a lead.

There may be livestock on site, please do not approach them or feed them. Additionally there may be electric fencing to keep them off parts of the site, please cross this with care.

There are no site paths and the site can be wet in places at any time of year.