The National Show Caves Centre of Wales is a short drive from the cottage. It is situated at the head of the Swansea Valley in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Created 350 million years ago, the caves extend 17 km into the Black Mountain and was recently voted Britain’s finest Natural Wonder.

The river Llynfell emerging from a cave at the base of the cliffs at Dan-yr-Ogof farm has always been known. It was explored in 1912 by Tommy and Jeff Morgan who used only candles to light their way and arrows in the sand to find their way back.

They discovered a wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites, but they were prevented from penetrating far into the mountain by a lake. Undeterred they returned, this time with coracles. A coracle is a traditional one man fishing boat found on the rivers of West Wales. They crossed not one lake but four. They discovered more magnificent passages and chambers, but again the way on was denied them.

This time it was a tight crawl, which was not passed until 1963 when Eileen Davies, a local girl and member of the South Wales Caving Club struggled through it. She and others have now found over 10 miles of unique cave. Cavers believe that this is the tip of the iceberg and that there is still much to discover.

There is also Europe's largest dinosaur park - one of the largest dinosaur parks in the world here, with over 100 life-size models as well as an authentic Iron Age farm, Shire Horse Centre, Millennium Stone Circle and Museum. Directions: Drive to Pontardawe and take the A4067 to the caves.