Tir y Cwm is situated in the Brecon Beacons, one of Britain’s most beautiful National Parks. Rolling hills, moors and rivers abound; a superb environment for learning in the outdoors. The cottage is owned by the Tir y Cwm Trust, a charity dedicated to providing outdoors adventures to pupils and students at Beechen Cliff School. The trust bought the cottage from the forestry commission in the late 70s and spent many years fund raising and making improvements. Every year many children from the school gain valuable life experiences by spending time at the cottage. The surrounding area provides excellent opportunities for forest walks, orienteering, river walks and hill walking.
Tir y Cwm provides young people with the chance to grow in confidence and begin to take responsibility for looking after themselves. It has been a source of happy and exciting memories for many Beechen Cliff pupils. Life at the cottage is basic but reasonably comfortable. There is room for about 25 students and three teachers in dormitory accommodation. With cooking facilities, hot water for showers and central heating, the open fire is more of a cosy luxury than a necessity. Our Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award training takes place at Tir-y-Cwm.
