From Monday, April 17, the Brecon Beacons National Park has announced it is to change its name so that it is officially known only by its Welsh name - Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog. The change comes into force on the 66th anniversary of the area being designated a national park and will be known as 'the Bannau' for short.
Bosses of the park say the change is to reflect its commitment to Welsh culture, language and heritage and in direct response to the planet's ongoing climate and ecological crisis. Bannau means 'peaks' and Brycheiniog refers to the old kingdom of Wales' fifth century ruler, Brychan. The park's managers said the present name - referencing wood-burning, carbon-emitting beacons - no longer fitted the park's eco ethos, hence the rebrand.
The change comes after another Welsh national park decided to use its Welsh name last year. In November 2022, Snowdonia National Park Authority voted to refer to Wales' highest mountain, by its Welsh name. The decision came after thousands of people signed a petition calling for the change.
Read more: Brecon Beacons National Park officially changes to Welsh name
