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Family Days Out in Mid Wales

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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Cwmtydu Beach

Address

New Quay, Ceredigion, SA44 6LQ

Telephone
01545 570881

tourism@ceredigion.gov.uk

New Quay

Cwmtydu is an attractive, quiet beach that was once a harbour used as a traditional smugglers’ hideaway.
Black Mountains | Pen Tir Walk

Address

Brecon Beacons | Black Mountains, Cwmdu, Crickhowell, Powys

Telephone
01873 812105

Crickhowell

This walk starts on the west of this striking and distinctly shaped hill in the small village of Llangenny (240180), just to the east of the bridge over the Grwyne Fawr.
Llanfyllin

Address

Llanfyllin, Powys, SY22 5AQ

Telephone
01938 552043

ticwelshpool@btconnect.com

Llanfyllin

Llanfyllin is thriving market town in north Powys on the upper reaches of the Cain valley. It is an ideal centre to explore the area including nearby Lake Vyrnwy and Welshpool.
Knighton Community Market

Address

Knighton Community Hall, Bowling Green Lane, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1DR

Telephone
01547 428088

knightoncomm@gmail.com

Knighton

Knighton Community Market is held in the warm, dry Community Centre hall with ample parking just yards away on fourth Saturdays of every month from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
Hafren Forest | Walking Trails (NRW)

Address

Hafren Forest (NRW), Rhyd-y-benwch car park, Old Hall, Near Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6PT

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Old Hall, Near Llanidloes

Choice of walking trails along the River Severn which flows through Hafren Forest. Trails go to waterfalls and the source of the Severn on Pumlumon. Riverside accessible trail with viewing platform over cascades. Picnic area and toilets.
Crug Hywel | Crickhowell

Address

Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1AA

Telephone
01873 853254

Crickhowell

The historic town of Crickhowell lies on the River Usk on the southern edge of the Black Mountains in the Eastern part of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
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.
Brecon Gaer Roman Fort (Cadw)

Address

Aberyscir, Brecon, Powys, LD3 9NT

Telephone
0300 025 6000

cadw@gov.wales

Brecon

Fort built about AD 75 near the River Usk. Remains consist of the perimeter wall, corner turrets and gateways.
Welshpool and Berriew (Cycle Route)

Address

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Powys

A picturesque cycle ride which follows part of Route 81 on country lanes between Leighton and Berriew.
23.7 Miles (38.1km) 3 hours - Elevation Total Ascent: 549M
Brecon Cathedral

Address

Cathedral Close, Brecon, Powys, LD3 9DP

Telephone
01874 623857

admin@breconcathedral.org.uk

Brecon

Founded as a Benedictine priory, it then became the parish church of Brecon in 1537, a role it held until in 1923 it became the Cathedral for the newly created Diocese of Swansea & Brecon.
Gogerddan Wood (NRW)

Address

Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3ED

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Aberystwyth

Just three miles from Aberystwyth, Gogerddan is an easy-to-find woodland with a small picnic site. The woodland is carpeted with bluebells in spring. The short walking trail is signposted from the car park.
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.
Llyn Mwyngil | Tal-y-Llyn Lake

Address

Southern Snowdonia, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9AJ

Telephone
01654 767321

TIC.Aberdyfi@snowdonia.gov.wales

Tywyn

Located at the foot of Cadair Idris, Tal-y-llyn Lake (Also known as Llyn Mwyngil) is north of Machynlleth and north-east of Tywyn.
Craig Cerrig Gleisiad & Fan Frynych (NRW)

Address

Brecon Beacons, Nr Libanus, Powys, NP8 1LG

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Nr Libanus

Craig Cerrig-gleisiad and Fan Frynych National Nature Reserve is a 156 acre (631,000 m²) area of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Llwyngwril Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Llwyngwril, LL37 2JS

Telephone
08457 484950

Llwyngwril

Llwyngwril railway station is on the Cambrian Coast line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
Roundton Hill Nature Reserve

Address

Old Churchstoke, Churchstoke, Powys, SY15 6EL

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Churchstoke

From the top of Roundton Hill it's easy to see why an Iron Age hillfort was once sited here - the vantage point offers great viewing across the surrounding countryside.
Dolydd Hafren Nature Reserve

Address

Forden, Powys, SY21 8NN

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Powys

The River Severn loops lazily across its valley floor, its loops and bends creating oxbow lakes which are now good wetland habitat for waterfowl.
Tresaith Beach

Address

Aberporth, Ceredigion, SA43 2JL

Aberporth

The small village of Tresaith, just to the east of Aberporth, overlooks this attractive sandy beach; popular for sailing and surfing; there are rock pools to explore and even a waterfall.
Churchstoke and Priest Weston (Cycle Route)

Address

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Powys

A lovely cycle ride requiring 2 miles on main road at the beginning, after which you will be on beautiful, country lanes.
19.3 Miles ( 31KM) 2-2.5hours - Elevation Ascent: 427m
Cadair Idris (NRW)

Address

Southern Snowdonia, Gwynedd, LL39 1AX

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Southern Snowdonia

Cadair Idris is a spectacular mountain reserve in southern Snowdonia with a variety of landscapes and terrain that cover over 450 hectares of breathtaking landscape.