To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Learn more

Family Days Out in Mid Wales

You are here: Plan & Inspire > Things to Do with Kids

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.

#EDE8E3

Inspiration

Number of results: 1015

, currently showing 799 to 819.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Fforest Fawr UNESCO Global Geopark

Address

Brecon Beacons National Park, Powys, LD3 8ER

Telephone
01639 730395

enquiries@fforestfawrgeopark.org.uk

Powys

The Geopark is set within the Brecon Beacons National Park in south Wales. It comprises the western half of the National Park, stretching from Llandovery north to the edge of Merthyr Tydfil south, from Llandeilo west to Brecon east.
Tref-y-Clawdd | Knighton Railway Station

Address

Tref-y-Clawdd | Knighton, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN

Knighton

Knighton Station is on the border between England and Wales. The town is situated on two National Trails routes and mid point along the famous Offa’s Dyke.
Llandrindod Wells Lake Park

Address

Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6BL

Telephone
01597 822600

llandrindodtic@btconnect.com

Llandrindod Wells

The 13-acre Llandrindod Lake, an unexpected feature of the town with a magnificent dragon statue at its centre, is a perfect place for a gentle stroll or leisure cycle ride.
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.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Derwenlas Walk

Address

Derwenlas, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

Start: Lay-by Derwenlas
Grid Reference: SN721 991
Distance: 6.2 km - 3.8 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Firm tracks, open fields, some boggy areas
Maps: OS Explorer OL23
Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) Beach

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL44 2HD

Telephone
01341 281617

info@barmouthstation.com

Barmouth

Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) is a long sandy beach backed by an extensive sand dune system between Shell Island and Dyffryn Ardudwy.
Brecon Farmers & Makers Market

Address

Market Hall, High Street, Brecon, Powys, LD3 9DA

Telephone
07926 196714

maxencala@gmail.com

Brecon

Dates

From:
12 Sept 2026

Brecon Farmers & Makers Market is held on the 2nd Saturday of each month 09:30 - 16:00 at the Market Hall, Brecon.
Elan Fest

Address

Elan Valley Visitor Centre, Elan Valley, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5HP

Telephone
01597 810880

elanbookings@dwrcymru.com

Rhayader

Dates

From:

12 Sept 2026to13 Sept 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00

A dam good weekend of family fun at Elan Fest.
Join us for a weekend of activities celebratory everything that is wonderful about the Elan Valley and mid-Wales
Pontarfynach | Devil's Bridge

Address

Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion, SY23 3JW

Devil's Bridge

The village of Devil's Bridge is situated at the head of the Rheidol Valley in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains. Famous for its bridges and waterfall, Devil's Bridge and can be reached via the Vale of Rheidol Steam Railway.
Craig y Nos Country Park

Address

Brecon Road, Penycae, Swansea Valley, SA9 1GL

Telephone
01639 730395

Penycae

Craig-y-nos Country Park is on the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It is a 40-acre Victorian garden with shady woodlands, meadows, ponds, lawns spread along the banks of the River Tawe.
Cors Caron National Nature Reserve | Walking (NRW)

Address

Cors Caron National Nature Reserve, Tregaron, Ceredigion, SY25 6JF

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Cors Caron is a vast wetland near Tregaron. The huge raised peat bogs and surrounding habitats support a wealth of wildlife. Accessible boardwalk over bog to hide, and Sustrans National Cycle route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Tref-y-Clawdd | Knighton

Address

Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN

Knighton

Knighton is a Mid Wales Marches town with a remarkable landscape and rich history. Located on the scenic Heart of Wales railway line, it makes a great base to explore the Offa's Dyke Path or Glyndwr's Way National Trails.
Llanrhystud Beach

Address

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 5BU

Telephone
01970 612125

AberystwythTIC@Ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

The beach at Llanrhystud is a narrow shingle bank at high tide, but at low tide it becomes wide and sandy.
Ystwyth Trail | Ystradmeurig - Tregaron

Address

Ystwyth Trail (Stage 2), Ystrad Meurig - Tregaron, SY25 6BJ

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ystrad Meurig - Tregaron

The Ystwyth Trail is a 32.1km/20M cycle route and footpath linking Aberystwyth and Tregaron. Part of the trail follows the track of the old Great Western railway line.
Start: Aberystwyth SN584812
Finish: Tregaron SN679597
Llanbedr Beer Festival

Address

Llanbedr, Gwynedd, LL45 2LD

Telephone
01341 280787

llanbedrbeerfestival@gmail.com

Llanbedr

Dates

From:

18 Sept 2026to19 Sept 2026

Llanbedr Beer Festival is a small, friendly event for lovers of locally brewed real ales and Welsh cider.
Glaslyn Nature Reserve

Address

Aberhosan, Powys, SY20 8RE

Telephone
01938 555654

Powys

Glaslyn is Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’s biggest nature reserve, an integral part of the Cambrian Mountains.
Wales Coast Path | Pembrokeshire

Address

Ceibwr Bay - Tenby, Pembrokeshire, SA43 3BU

Telephone
0300 065 3000

wcp@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Pembrokeshire is home to the iconic and world class landscape of the Pembrokeshire Coast National
Park.
Llandeilo Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, SA19 6ND

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Llandeilo

Llandeilo railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line that runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Land Rover Rally | Talyllyn Railway

Address

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

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Dates

From:
30 Aug 2026

The Annual Land Rover take-over of Wharf returns!
Elan Valley Estate

Address

Elan Valley Estate, Elan Estate Office, Elan Village, RHAYADER, Powys, LD6 5HP

Telephone
01597 810449

info@elanvalleytrust.org

Elan Village, RHAYADER

The Elan Valley Estate attracts a wide variety of visitors and a good starting point for all is the Visitor Centre which has a wide variety of information and educational and interactive resources.
Barmouth Walking Festival

Address

Abermaw | Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, Gwynedd, LL42 1LS

Telephone
07581 700877

hello@barmouthwalkingfestival.co.uk

Dates

From:

12 Sept 2026to21 Sept 2026

Another year, another great set of walks. Immerse yourself in stunning coastal scenery, explore rich history, and savour local delights.