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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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Llandrindod Railway Station

Address

Station Crescent, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5BB

Telephone
01597 822053

Llandrindod.bookingoffice@tfwrail.wales

Llandrindod Wells

Llandrindod railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line that runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Knighton Festival of Books, Art and Music 2026

Address

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

Telephone
01547 740052

knightonfest@gmail.com

Knighton

Dates

From:

16 Oct 2026to25 Oct 2026

A lively celebration of music, arts and community in the heart of Knighton. Enjoy a fantastic programme of entertainment, performances and activities, bringing locals and visitors together for a memorable festival.

Price
Price £25.00 per adult
Wales Coast Path | Ceredigion

Address

Wales Coast Path | Ceredigion Coast, Cardigan - Borth, Ceredigion, SY24 5HX

Telephone
0300 065 3000

wcp@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Cardigan - Borth

The Ceredigion Coast section of the Wales Coast Path providers the walker with glimpses of dolphins and porpoise, seals and a host of marine birds throughout the year around the majestic sweep of Cardigan Bay .
Bala & Penllyn

Address

Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7AD

Telephone
01286 679686

tourism@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

Bala

Bala & Penllyn is an area within the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park surrounded by the peaks of Aran Benllyn, Arenig Fawr and the Berwyn Mountains and home to the largest natural lake in Wales,
Dyffryn Ardudwy Railway Station

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd, LL42 2EU

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Dyffryn Ardudwy

Dyffryn Ardudwy railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
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.
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.
Cadw Open Day at Llanerchaeron

Address

Llanerchaeron, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA48 8DG

Telephone
01545 570200

llanerchaeron@nationaltrust.org.uk

Aberaeron

Dates

From:

12 Sept 2026to13 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00

This September more than 200 of Wales’ historic sites, landmarks and hidden gems will offer visitors free entry...
Circular Walk 3 - Fachwen Pool

Address

Y Drenewydd | Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BB

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Powys

Starting in the center of Newtown, this route follows the long distance Severn Way to the lake and returns via Penshwa Lane and Ffrydd Farm.
Y Lanfa | Powysland Museum & Library

Address

Y Lanfa Powysland Museum, The Canal Wharf, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 7AQ

Telephone
01938 55003

ylanfa@powys.gov.uk

Welshpool

The Powisland Museum is housed in a restored historic warehouse beside the Montgomery Canal with Welshpool Library on the ground floor and Powysland Museum upstairs. The museum depicts the archaeology and social history of Montgomeryshire.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Machynlleth to Dyfi Wildlife Centre

Address

Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

This walk starts at the car park at Y Plas, Machynlleth and is graded as moderate. The terrain includes road, woodland paths, firm tracks and fields and is a distance of 5 miles.
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
Builth Road Railway Station

Address

Llechrhyd Terrace, nr Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3PY

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@traveline.cymru

nr Builth Wells

Builth Wells has a railway station two miles north of the town; Builth Road is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
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.
Y Dolydd | Llanfyllin Workhouse - Open Doors 2026

Address

Y Dolydd Llanfyllin Workhouse, Y Dolydd, Llanfyllin, Powys, SY22 5LD

Telephone
07534354082

bunkhouse@the-workhouse.com

Llanfyllin

Dates

From:

12 Sept 2026to13 Sept 2026

A historic building housing the Workhouse History Centre, and a community facility for education, creativity and sustainability. We also house many business units and hire spaces for events, weddings, private parties, courses and seminars.
Harlech

Address

Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2YA

Harlech

Harlech is a historic town on the Snowdonia coast which has fantastic beaches, Royal St David's - one of Wales' finest golf courses and Harlech Castle which a World heritage site.
Wales Coast Path

Address

From South to North Wales via the coast, Wales

Telephone
0300 065 3000

wcp@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Wales is the first country in the world to have a formal trail the whole way around its coast. The Wales Coast Path (which is 870 miles long) joins up with Offa’s Dyke Path to provide a 1,030 mile trail around the Welsh border.
Bwlch Nant yr Arian | Running Trails (NRW)

Address

Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre, Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AB

Telephone
01970 890453

bnya@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth

Bwlch Nant yr Arian is famous for feeding red kites daily. Range of waymarked walking, mountain biking, running and horse-riding trails and a mountain bike skills park. Café, shop and play area.
Tywyn Beach

Address

Tywyn, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 0DF

Telephone
01654 767321

TIC.Aberdyfi@snowdonia.gov.wales

Tywyn

The west facing beach at Tywyn in southern Snowdonia is a long stretch of sand and pebbles backed by sand dunes.
Walking Newtown | Neuadd Hendidley Farm

Address

Y Drenewydd | Newtown, Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BB

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Newtown

The starting point for this walk is the Newtown Town Clock in the town centre and unfolds through Newtown's historical tapestry. It is approximately 3.5 miles and should take around 3.5 hours
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