Another of Britain's less famous gems, the Brecon Beacons is a beautiful area of South Wales, located just North of Cardiff and Swansea. Covering 519 square miles, Brecon Beacons National Park, known locally as Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, contains the highest mountain in South Wales - Pen Y Fan (pronounced Pen-er Van). This very shapely hill is a place of torment for many as it hosts the world-famous 'Fan Dance' - a gruelling military exercise of 12 miles climbing Pen Y Fan and Corn Du and back again. The area is also used by the SAS and SBS to test the fitness of applicants, though you wouldn't think it looking at these pastoral images. The area has glimpses of many other parts of the British Isles, including moorland like the North East Pennines, wild ponies like the New Forest and Dartmoor, narrow, winding country lanes like Devon and Cornwall, and high peaks like Scotland.

P5L60 Usk Valley from Twyn y Gaer Iron Age Hill Fort, Mynydd Illtud, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK

The Usk Valley from Twyn y Gaer Iron Age hill fort, Mynydd Illtud. A gentle climb to the top of this small hill but the views all around were well worth it.

P5L63 Pen Y Fan and Corn Du from Twyn y Gaer Iron Age Hill Fort, Mynydd Illtud, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK

And to the East, this view of Pen Y Fan and Corn Du. From Twyn y Gaer Iron Age hill fort, Mynydd Illtud.

P5L64 Brecon Beacons National Park and Llangorse Lake from Mynydd Llangorse, Wales, UK

Llangorse Lake and the Brecon Beacons from Mynydd Llangorse.

P5L65 Mynydd Troed from Mynydd Llangorse, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK

Mynydd Troed from Mynydd Llangorse. These small hills look cute but they required a fairly steep climb to get to this spot. The troop of squaddies that were descending as we climbed probably didn't think there was anything 'cute' about them - judging by the looks on their faces on this hot day!

V20L11 Twyn y Gaer Iron Age Hill Fort, Mynydd Illtud, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK

The trig point on Twyn y Gaer iron age hill fort.

V20L9 Usk Valley from Twyn y Gaer Iron Age Hill Fort, Mynydd Illtud, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK

Usk Valley fields. As lovely a rural patchwork as you are ever likely to see in these isles. Britain's 'green and pleasant land' indeed.

V20L15 Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK V20L17 Pen Y Fan and Corn Du, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK

Pen Y Fan and Corn Du. These peaks dominate the view from everywhere in the National Park. Not surprising as they are close to the height of Scottish Munro's (914m or 3000 feet) at 886m (2907 feet) and 873m (2864 feet) respectively. This view from Mynydd Illtud was one of the best and the walking was a delight too.

V20F3 Garwnant Forest Park, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK

Garnwant Forest Park.