Brecon , archaically known as
Brecknock, is a
market town and
community in
Powys,
Mid Wales, with a population in 2001 of 7,901, increasing to 8,250 at the 2011 Census. Historically it was the
county town of
Brecknockshire; although its role as such was eclipsed with the formation of the County of Powys, it remains an important local centre. Brecon is the third largest town in Powys, after
Newtown and
Ystradgynlais. It lies north of the
Brecon Beacons mountain range, but is just within the
Brecon Beacons National Park.