WATCH LIST

great time to get out and learn more about the universe beyond. A number of Group Stargazing Events are being held across the Brecon Beacons in the coming months (Oct 8, 9, 11,

Nov 5, 6, 7, 8; from £22.15) as well as astrophotography courses

(Oct 6, 13, Nov 3, 10, Dec 8, 15; from £55.82; darkskywalestraining services.co.uk/calendar).

DIDN’T I SEE PRUNELLA SCALES IN BRECON?

Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) had scenes shot in the Brecon Beacons, while Henrhyd Falls was used as the location of the Batcave in Christopher Nolan’s

Dark Knight Rises (2012). Wrath of the Titans (2012) – the slight flop of a sequel to Clash of the Titans – had scenes filmed in Tredegar and a quarry near Trefil. There are plenty of these, of course, not to mention fruity Bara Brith. But Brecon is bursting with local fare, from the hearty menu and sweet treats at the Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor

Centre (breconbeacons. org/national-park-visitorcentre) to the Nantyffin Cider Mill’s new afternoon tea picnic bench (mains from £9.95; cidermill.co. uk). Serving finger foods and small bites, the “benches” here are so mouthwateringly moreish that diners queue out the door, while children work up an appetite in the playground.

The local ingredients used in the Insta-oozy American-style burgers at HILLS also make them worth tucking into (burgers from £7.50; hillsbrecon.co.uk).

The You did. And you could follow in the wake of the star and her husband Timothy West on a canal narrow boat experience from Goytre Wharf, marvelling at this bastion of British industry. There’s a self-drive option, but a helmsman will be better at three-point turns and provide an absorbing line in canal history, too (from £422; abcboathire.com).

AND WHAT OF THE WORLDFAMOUS WELSH CAKES? ANYTHING AT THE FINE-DINING END OF THE SCALE?

Yep, and Shaun Hill’s Walnut Tree takes the Michelin-starred biscuit. A very buzzy, unstuffy, artfully rustic biscuit at that. If you’re travelling with children and are concerned at the effect that primary schoolers might have on the dinner crowd atmosphere, you need not be afraid. “Children aren’t the problem: it’s the adults you need to watch,” says Shaun. And with good reason. From the botanical cocktails through to the cherry soup dessert and the intriguing but accessible wine list, there’s plenty on the menu to lead adults astray.

Even those with a palate more attuned to savoury will consider the desserts out of this stratosphere and, while you may have happened upon the Walnut Tree by accident, you are sure to arrange the next holiday around a revisit (main courses from £16; thewalnut treeinn.com).

NO EATING ON THE HOOF THEN?

The

Brecon Beacons National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve No but there’s lots of fun to be had on horseback. The Brecon Beacons is renowned for its bridleways. Even an hour-long pootle on some of Cantref Horse Riding’s sturdy cobs affords amazing views and some gallop, too (one-hour Red Kite Ride from £24.75; cantref.com).

SOUNDS LIKE A LOAD OF PONY

Hidden away up a dirt track, you’d think the most surprising thing about Dinky Donkey was actually finding it. But no. An hour walking and picnicking with these miniature furry fellas is proving more popular with grown-up tourists than it is with the kids. For post-donkey sustenance, head to Talgarth Mill – an 18th-century flour mill restored and run by the community as a traditional bakery.

A more inspiring example of an eco-friendly food enterprise is hard to find – do the tour, and the kids can try making flour themselves, too. The bread isn’t too bad either – buy from the mill or sample a slice over at the Bakers’ Table café just outside (talgarthmill.com).