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Family Days Out in Mid Wales

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Things to Do with Kids in Mid Wales | Family Days Out

Family days out in Mid Wales

Mid Wales is full of places that work for families. Not the theme-park, queue-for-an-hour kind of days out, but the kind where children learn something without realising it, get muddy, see wildlife up close and ask to come back. These attractions are spread across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Southern Snowdonia), so wherever you are staying, there will be something nearby.

Centre for Alternative Technology

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) near Machynlleth is a hands-on environmental centre that has been running since the 1970s. You arrive by water-powered cliff railway and explore gardens, renewable energy displays, interactive exhibits and nature trails. Children enjoy the play areas and the fact that everything is slightly different from normal. Adults enjoy the ideas. Allow half a day.

King Arthur's Labyrinth

At Corris, south of Machynlleth, King Arthur's Labyrinth takes you underground by boat into caverns filled with sound, light and tales from Welsh mythology. It is atmospheric rather than scary, and works well for children aged five and up. The site also has a craft centre and cafe above ground.

Gigrin Farm red kites

Gigrin Farm near Rhayader feeds red kites daily at 2pm (3pm in summer). Hundreds of kites swoop down over the feeding station, and you watch from hides just metres away. It is one of the most impressive wildlife spectacles in Britain and children are genuinely amazed by it. The farm also has a nature trail and a small museum.

Steam railways

A steam train journey is one of the best family days out in Mid Wales. The Vale of Rheidol Railway from Aberystwyth to Devils Bridge runs through mountain scenery with waterfalls at the far end. The Talyllyn Railway from Tywyn follows a wooded valley inland. The Welshpool and Llanfair Railway crosses Powys farmland. All have cafes and gift shops.

Bwlch Nant yr Arian

Bwlch Nant yr Arian, in the hills above Aberystwyth, has walking trails around a lake, mountain bike trails through the forest, a cafe with big windows and daily red kite feeding. The lakeside trail is pushchair-friendly and the red kite feeding happens at 3pm in summer. Free entry; pay for parking.

More ideas

The Silver Mountain Experience near Aberystwyth takes you into a Victorian lead mine. The Magic of Life butterfly house near Aberystwyth has tropical butterflies in a heated glasshouse. Animalarium in Borth is a small zoo and rescue centre by the beach. The Dyfi Osprey Project near Machynlleth has live camera feeds of nesting ospreys from April to August.

On good weather days, head for the beaches. Barmouth has the big sandy beach. New Quay has dolphins. Llangrannog has rock pools. Combine a beach morning with an attraction afternoon and you have a full day sorted.

Browse our full list of family attractions and activities to plan your trip.

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Ceri Forest | Block Wood Car Park (NRW)

Address

Nr Newtown, Kerry, Powys, SY7 8PS

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Kerry

Ceri Forest is a coniferous forest which sits astride the Kerry Ridgeway in the uplands of Montgomeryshire / Shropshire border
Usk Reservoir

Address

Nr Trecastle, Powys, LD3 8YF

Powys

The Usk Reservoir is a remote upland 280 acre reservoir surrounded by the Glasfynnedd Forest. Waymarked route around the reservoir for walking and cycling. Great for fishing and is one of the National Park's top ten sites for stargazing.
New Quay Harbour, Dolau & Traeth Gwyn

Address

New Quay, New Quay, Ceredigion, SA45 9PS

New Quay

New Quay’s Harbour Beach has stunning golden sands to rival any and has become a favourite for fishing and water sports enthusiasts. New Quay’s other beaches are Dolau & Traeth Gwyn.
Talley Woodlands (NRW)

Address

Talley, near Llandovery, SA19 7AX

Telephone
0300 065 3000

near Llandovery

Talley Woodlands overlook an historic village and ruined abbey in Carmarthenshire, 12 miles from Llandovery. Picnic area and waymarked walking trails with steep climbs and far-reaching views over the abbey and surrounding hills
Hafren Forest | Source of the Severn Trail (NRW)

Address

Rhyd-y-benwch Car Park, Old Hall, LLANIDLOES, Powys, SY18 6PT

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

LLANIDLOES

In the heart of the Cambrian Mountain uplands of Mid Wales, the River Severn springs from the upper slopes of Pumlumon Cwmbiga. The walking trail to the source of the Severn starts in the Hafren Forest. Follow the white waymarkers. When reaching the…
Coed Pendugwm Nature Reserve

Address

Pontrobert, Powys, SY22 5JF

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Powys

Majestic sessile oaks have nurtured this quiet corner of Wales for over 400 years providing leafy cover for plants and animals and creating a 'wild wood'.
Oswestry 10k Run

Address

Start: Smithfield Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 2EG

Telephone
07595 031 333

hello@adrenalinesportingevents.co.uk

Oswestry

Dates

From:
11 Oct 2026

The Oswestry 10k brings together an active community of people taking part in sporting events for reasons ranging from fitness, competition, charity, health, fun or to simply finish.
Dyfnant Forest | Pen y Fford (NRW)

Address

Dyfnant & Vyrnwy Forests (NRW), Penyfford Car Park, Lake Vyrnwy, Powys, SY21 0QH

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Lake Vyrnwy

Dyfnant Forest is home to the Dyfnant Rainbow Trails, designed with horses in mind but also welcoming walkers. There are nearly 100 miles of tracks and trails with five horse riding trails and three carriage driving trails in Dyfnant Forest starting…
Glyndŵr Award: Sir Bryn Terfel | Gŵyl Machynlleth Festival

Address

Y Tabernacl Auditorium, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AJ

Telephone
01654 703355

info@moma.machynlleth.org.uk

Machynlleth

Dates

From:
28 Aug 2026Open 13:00 - 14:00

Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel is this years recipient of the Glyndŵr Award for his outstanding contribution to music.
Hay Castle | Wedding Venue

Address

Hay Castle, Oxford Road, Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5DG

Telephone
01497 820079

helen.lowther@haycastletrust.org

Hay-on-Wye

Hay Castle sets the imagination soaring. Once a great medieval stronghold, the castle and the grounds in the heart of Mid Wales are alive with possibilities once again.
The Railway Adventurer | Talyllyn Railway

Address

Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway, Gorsaf Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Dates

From:
10 Sept 2026
From:
24 Sept 2026

Discover the Story of the Preservation Pioneers on The Railway Adventurer
Lôn Las Cymru Route 8 (South)

Address

Llanidloes - Cardiff, Llanidloes - Cardiff, LD2 3DT

reception@sustrans.org.uk

Llanidloes - Cardiff

This is the section of the route that runs south from Llanidloes, Rhayader, Llanelwedd/Builth Wells towards the Brecon Beacons and the Valleys before arriving into Cardiff.
Fish ‘N’ Chip Flyer | Talyllyn Railway

Address

Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway, Gorsaf Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Dates

From:
28 Aug 2026

Get that FRYday Feeling with the FISH ‘N’ CHIP FLYER
Tywyn Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Tywyn

Tywyn railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
Caersws Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Caersws, Powys, SY17 5HH

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Caersws

Caersws railway station is on the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth; most trains run from/to Birmingham International.
Llangorse Lake & Common

Address

Llangors, Nr Brecon, Powys, LD3 7TR

Telephone
01874 623366

vcuser@breconbeacons.org

Nr Brecon

Llangorse has the largest natural lake in south Wales, it boasts an ancient Crannog and is a perfect location to mess about in boats, take a gentle stroll or watch the bird life.
Ceredigion Coast Path | Llanrhystud-Aberystwyth

Address

Llanrhystud - Aberystwyth, Llanrhystud, Ceredigion, SY23 5BW

Telephone
01545 570602

aberaeronTIC@ceredigion.gov.uk

Llanrhystud

6th section of the Ceredigion Coastal Path Llanrhystud to Aberystwyth
Total Distance 17km (10.6 miles) Grade - moderate/hard
Despite being challenging this section of Heritage Coast is dramatic, lonely and extremely worthwhile.
Montgomery Castle (Cadw)

Address

Montgomery Castle, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Telephone
0300 025 6000

cadw@gov.wales

Montgomery

Montgomery Castle is a masonry castle standing on a rocky promontory above the town of Montgomery. Precipitous slopes to the north and east make this an excellent defensive site.
Harlech Beach

Address

Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2UG

Telephone
01286 679686

tourism@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

Harlech

Harlech beach is an ideal place for children to play and an even better spot for adults to sit back and relax. The beautiful sand dunes are the reason behind the area’s designation as a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Aberporth

Address

Ceredigion, SA43 2BU

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Set picturesquely overlooking two sandy beaches, the resort village of Aberporth is one of West Wales' most favoured family holiday locations. The beach is a regular recipient of Blue Flag and Seaside awards.
Llandysul

Address

Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01545 570602

aberaerontic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Nestling on the banks of the river Teifi, Llandysul is a traditional unspoilt small market town.