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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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Lon Las Cymru | Rhayader to Llangurig

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01597 826605

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader

Although this is not strictly a traffic free route, this minor gated road running down the Wye Valley carries next to no traffic as the main A470 runs parallel, on the other side of the valley, all the way from Llangurig to Rhayader.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Llyn Barfog Walk

Address

Cwm Maethlon | Happy Valley, Aberdyfi, GWYNEDD

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Aberdyfi

Start: Snowdonia National Park Authority car park, Cwm Maethlon/Happy Valley
Grid Reference: SN 640 986
Distance: 5 km - 3.1 miles (shortcut 4 km – 2.5 miles)
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Open moorland, firm tracks, fields and tarmac road.
Dyfnant & Vyrnwy Forests (NRW)

Address

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

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Lake Vyrnwy

Dyfnant and Vyrnwy Forests in north Powys which is renowned for rolling hills, lush green valleys and picturesque farmsteads and villages. The Forest caters for horse riding and carriage driving as well as walking and picnic areas.
August Steam Gala | Bala Lake Railway

Address

Bala Lake Railway, Llanuwchlyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7DD

Telephone
01678 540666

enquiries@bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Llanuwchlyn, Bala

August Steam Gala at Bala Lake Railway will feature all available steam locomotives in action with frequent passenger services, demonstration freight trains and the miniature railway running at Llanuwchllyn.
Easter at Powis Castle

Address

Powis Castle, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8RF

Telephone
01938 551944

powiscastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

Welshpool

Gather your family and friends this spring for an unforgettable Easter adventure at Powis Castle and Garden.
The Slate Trail | Talyllyn Railway

Address

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

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Experience the beauty of a World Heritage Site in our original Victorian-Era Carriages
Wales Coast Path | New Quay - Aberaeron

Address

Cei Newydd | New Quay, New Quay - Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0JP

Telephone
01970 612125

countryside@ceredigion.gov.uk

New Quay - Aberaeron

New Quay to Aberaeron is a popular section of the Wales Coast Path that presents no major challenges. The walk is a distance 10.5km (6.5miles)
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)
Llwyngwril Beach

Address

Llwyngwril, Gwynedd, LL37 2JT

Telephone
01654 767321

TIC.Aberdyfi@snowdonia.gov.wales

Gwynedd

Llwyngwril is a shingle and boulder beach with sand and rock pools at low tide on a very picturesque stretch of the coast.
Strata Florida Archaeology Field School

Address

Ystrad Fflur, Abbey Rd, Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion, SY25 6ES

Telephone
+441974831760

info@strataflorida.org.uk

Pontrhydfendigaid

Come and dig at this signifant site in Mid Wales, no previous experience needed.
Easter Dam Open Days

Address

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

Telephone
01597 810880

elanvalley@dwrcymru.com

Rhayader

Don't miss an exclusive chance to venture into Pen y Garreg Dam in the Elan Valley and up the central tower. One of our rangers will be on hand to answer all your questions so don't be shy.
St Davids Day | Bala Lake Railway

Address

Bala Lake Railway, Llanuwchlyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7DD

Telephone
01678 540666

enquiries@bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Llanuwchlyn, Bala

Celebrate St David's Day with free travel if you live in North Wales and a reduced fare for others.
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.
Barley Saturday | Cardigan

Address

Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 1JL

Telephone
01239 841524

Cardigan

Barley Saturday - colourful parade through the streets of Cardigan celebrating the tradition of the hiring fair.
Aberystwyth Railway Station

Address

Alexandra Rd, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1LH

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Aberystwyth

The railway station is the terminus of the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury. Located close to the town centre, there is a taxi rank and bus station adjacent.
Manor Wood | Walking Trails (NRW)

Address

Wye Valley Woodlands (NRW), Wye Valley, Between Chepstow and Monmouth, GL16 7NZ

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Between Chepstow and Monmouth

Manor Wood is on the edge of a quiet village on the eastern side of the Wye Valley. Home of the Manor Wood Leap Grid Ref: SO 528059
Sustrans Route 81: Rhayader - Shrewsbury

Address

Rhayader Town Centre, Rhayader - Shrewsbury, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01179268893

Rhayader - Shrewsbury

This section of route 81 heads North East via Llanidloes, Newtown and Welshpool towards Shrewsbury and England.
Cambrian Mountains | Abergwesyn Common

Address

Nr Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys

Telephone
01654 702653

marketing@mwtcymru.co.uk

Nr Llanwrtyd Wells

Abergwesyn Commons, on the southern edge of the Mid Wales Cambrian Mountains, is a wild and ancient landscape with far-reaching views. The commons stretch for 12 miles between the Nant Irfon valley in the west and Llanwrthwl in the east.
St David's Day at Powis Castle

Address

Powis Castle, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8RF

Telephone
01938 551944

powiscastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

Welshpool

Celebrate St David’s Day with a fun-filled family adventure at Powis Castle.
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.