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

Family Days Out in Mid Wales

Mid Wales gives children the kind of freedom that is harder to find elsewhere. Space to run on empty beaches, fields where they can get properly muddy, and enough real experiences to make them forget about screens for a while.

Beaches and Coast

The Cardigan Bay coast has family-friendly beaches with sand, rock pools and space. Barmouth has lifeguards in summer and the famous railway bridge. Borth has a three-mile beach and a prehistoric submerged forest that fascinates children. Aberdovey is sheltered and good for younger children. New Quay has dolphin watching boat trips from the harbour.

Steam Railways

The Vale of Rheidol Railway runs from Aberystwyth to Devils Bridge through the Rheidol Valley. The Talyllyn Railway near Tywyn was the first preserved railway in the world. The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway runs narrow-gauge trains through the Powys countryside. Children who like trains will not want to leave.

Animals and Wildlife

Many farms across Mid Wales welcome visitors during lambing season in spring. The Borth Animalarium has meerkats, lemurs and other animals. Red kites can be watched at Nant yr Arian near Aberystwyth or at Gigrin Farm near Rhayader, where they feed daily at 2pm.

Castles and History

Children who like castles will find plenty to climb on. Harlech Castle has walls thick enough to explore for an hour. Aberystwyth Castle has open ruins on a headland with views. Powis Castle near Welshpool has a medieval dungeon, gardens and red-walled terraces.

Rainy Days

When the weather turns, try Corris Craft Centre near Machynlleth for chocolate making and candle dipping. The Centre for Alternative Technology has interactive exhibits. Swimming pools in Brecon, Aberystwyth, Newtown and Llandrindod Wells keep children occupied on wet afternoons.

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Coed Rheidol Nature Reserve (NRW)

Address

Coed Rheidol Nature Reserve (NRW), Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion, SY23 3JW

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Devil's Bridge

Coed Rheidol is situated about 12 miles east of Aberystwyth. It occupies parts of both banks of the Afon Rheidol, upstream, and the south bank downstream of Devil's Bridge.
The Globe at Hay

Address

Newport Street, Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5BG

Telephone
01497 821762

events@globeathay.org

Hay-on-Wye

The Globe at Hay is an independent arts centre, embracing an ever changing arts landscape; year round we showcase talent found on our doorstep.
Knucklas Railway Station

Address

Glyndwr, Knucklas, LD7 1PN

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Knucklas

Knucklas railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
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.
Llandysul / Pont-Tyweli North Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - Llandysul / Pont-Tyweli North Walk
Start: SN418406 - Car Park, Llandysul
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Easy
Distance: 6.5km/4M
Time: 2.5 - 3hrs (excluding rest stops)
Hendomen & Dolydd Hafren Cycle Route

Address

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Telephone
01938 552043

admin@montgomery-wales.co.uk

Powys

Circular cycle route starting from in front of the Montgomery Town Hall providing an exceptional view of the town and with the option of extending the route to include the Dolydd Hafren Nature Reserve.
Ceredigion Coast Path | Aberaeron - Llanrhystud

Address

Aberaeron, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0BT

Telephone
01545 570602

countryside@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberaeron

5th section of the Ceredigion Coastal Path
Total distance 11.9km (7.4 miles)
Aberaeron to Aberarth 3.1km (1.9miles), grade/easy
Aberarth to Llanon 4.8km (3.0 miles), moderate-easy
Llanon to Llanrhystud 4.0km (2.5 miles), grade/easy
Hay Festival

Address

Dairy Meadows, Brecon Road, Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5AD

Telephone
01497 822629

boxoffice@hayfestival.org

Hay-on-Wye

Hay Festival Wales will take place 22 May - 1 June 2025 featuring some of the world’s greatest writers, thinkers and performers live from Hay-on-Wye.
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.
Wales Coast Path | Aberystwyth-Ynyslas

Address

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2AG

Telephone
01970 612125

AberystwythTIC@Ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

This section of the Wales Coast Path is a section of two distinct halves with Aberystwyth to Borth being a challenging yet popular section of Ceredigion Coast while the section between Borth and Ynys-las is completely flat, with much of it running…
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…
Crickhowell Red - Mynydd Du Forest Route

Address

Crug Hywel | Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1AA

Telephone
01874 623366

mountain.centre@breconbeacons.org

Powys

Mynydd Du Forest Route 36km
HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2026

Address

Newport Street, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, HR3 5BZ

Telephone
02078 373000

enquiries@artandideas.org

Hay-On-Wye

HowTheLightGetsIn Hay 2025 returns for a magical weekend 22nd-25th May!
The Shrine Church of Saint Melangell

Address

Pennant Melangell, Llangynog, Powys, SY10 0HQ

Telephone
01691 860408

admin@stmelangell.org

Llangynog

St Melangell's is one of the loveliest small churches in Britain, and one of the most remote. Its famous shrine attracts many visitors, but not enough to disturb its tranquillity.
Coed y Brenin Forest Park (NRW)

Address

Coed y Brenin Forest Park, Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL402HN

Telephone
01341 440747

coedybrenin@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Dolgellau

Coed y Brenin Forest Park is set in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park near Dolgellau and forms part of the National Forest for Wales. There are many walking trails from various car parks within the Coed y Brenin forest park where you can see…
Rhayader | Walking & Hiking

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01597 810561

enquiries@rhayader.co.uk

Rhayader

Get off the beaten path and explore everything that Rhayader and the Elan Valley has to offer, from gentle relaxing walks to something to challenging the most experienced climbers.
Newtown Railway Station

Address

Old Kerry Rd, Newtown, Powys, SY16 1BP

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Newtown

Newtown/Y Drenewydd railway station is on the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth.
Corris Village Walk

Address

Corris, Gwynedd, SY20 9SS

Corris

Start: Corris Craft Centre car park
Grid Reference: SH 750 078
Distance: 5 km . 3.1 miles
Shorter option: 2.3 km . 1.4 miles
Grade: Moderate (some steep sections)
Terrain: Tarmac road and firm tracks
Maps: OS Explorer - OL 23
Pwll y Wrach Nature Reserve

Address

Talgarth, Powys, LD3 7LH

Telephone
01874 625708

info@welshwildlife.org

Powys

This 21 acre hillside site embodies the essence of all that is best about the woodland dingles of Mid Wales. Easy access trail through the wood.
Aberystwyth | North Beach & Promenade

Address

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2BQ

Telephone
01970 612125

AberystwythTIC@Ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth's North Beach and seafront is a focal point of the town and a favourite attraction for visitors and locals alike.