Pen-Pentre is ideally situated in the lovely Upper Swansea Valley.  Visitors can enjoy the lakes and mountains of the Brecon Beacons National Park and the excellent coves and beaches of the Gower Peninsula.

Craig-y-Nos Castle and Country Park and the National Showcaves of Wales are a few miles to the North.

To the Northeast is the extensive waterfall country around Ystradfellte, which boasts many fine waterfalls and steep sided valleys, all of which make it an ideal area to explore.

The Swansea Valley is wonderful walking country, with its high ridges and lush valleys. There is also considerable history dating back to Roman times as well as the evidence of the industrial heritage of South Wales.

Henrhyd Falls, shown on the right, is the tallest waterfall in South Wales and is only a few miles from Ystradgynlais. It was formed when one of the major geological fault lines, which cross this region, caused the land to fracture and slip. The river Llech now pours over the edge of a cliff face into a deep pool below.

The Brecon Beacons National Park is an area of great natural beauty and is managed by the National Park Authority to preserve its natural flora and fauna. The Park contains numerous sparkling clean rivers, streams and lakes which not only support a good stock of fish but attract many birds and animals to live in the area.

The Red Kite, once an endangered species, is now a much more common sight and its numbers are increasing every year. It can be seen hovering over the valley and sometimes swooping down to catch small prey.

The limestone hills of the upper valley are honeycombed with caves and these include one of Europe's largest underground visitor attractions, the National Showcave Centre for Wales

See the Dan-yr-Ogof Cave with its many rock formations and the massive Cathedral Cave where weddings are held.

Just three miles North of Abercrave is Craig-y-Nos Castle and Country Park, which was the estate of the famous opera diva Adelina Patti. The park is open to the public and offers splendid views of the Castle.

Adelina Patti was one of the most famous people of her time and was probably the World's first superstar. She was earning over £1000.00 per performance (paid in advance in gold) in the year 1900.

Her castle and estate are now largely restored and you can see the splendour which she created and enjoyed.

Just across the valley Cefn-yr-Erw Primate Sanctuary welcomes visitors to see the animals which it rescues and cares for. These include chimpanzees, baboons, spider monkeys, marmosets, capucins, gibbons, wolves, capibaras, lamas, emus, and many farm animals.

Cefn-yr-Erw is a charity which houses and cares for unwanted primates and other animals from all over the World, so as to provide them with safety and comfort for the rest of their days.