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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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Aberystwyth Arts Centre

Address

Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DE

Telephone
01970 623232

artstaff@aber.ac.uk

Aberystwyth

Award winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre is Wales’ largest arts centre and recognised as a 'national flagship for the arts'. It has a wide-ranging programme across all art forms including drama, dance, music, visual arts film & new media.
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.
Dolgoch Falls

Address

Bryncrug, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9UW

Tywyn

The Dolgoch Falls are a series of three waterfalls near Tywyn in Southern Snowdonia. Access is by woodland walk signposted from the nearby Tal-y-llyn Railway- Dolgoch Station
Black Mountains | Grwyne Fawr Reservoir Walk

Address

Brecon Beacons | Black Mountains, Mynydd Ddu Car Park, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 7LY

Abergavenny

Grwyne Fawr Reservoir is a 2.5-mile uphill walk from the Mynydd Du car park. Look carefully and you might see wild ponies grazing among the gorse and take in views of the valley and the mighty conifers of the Mynydd Du forest in this remote area of…
Llyn Brenig | Walking Trails

Address

Llyn Brenig Lake and Visitor Centre, Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre, Cerrigydrudion, Corwen, Denbighshire, LL21 9TT

Telephone
01490 420463

siwan.hughes@dwrcymru.com

Cerrigydrudion, Corwen

Number of designated walks ranging from ten mile 'round the lake walk to more leisurely themed trails including an archaeological trail. Guides available from visitor centre.
Powis Castle | Courtyard Restaurant

Address

Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8RF

Telephone
01938 551920

powiscastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

Welshpool

Powis Castle’s restaurant has long been acknowledged as an example of excellence. Enjoy a variety of traditional dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients such as organic Welsh black beef, sourced from a local farm.
The Slate Trail | Talyllyn Railway

Address

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

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Dates

From:
3 Sept 2026
From:
17 Sept 2026

Experience the beauty of a World Heritage Site in our original Victorian-Era Carriages
Aberdyfi Tourist Information Centre

Address

Aberdyfi Tourist Information Centre, The Wharf, Seaview Terrace, Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0ED

Telephone
01654 767321

TIC.Aberdyfi@snowdonia.gov.wales

Seaview Terrace, Aberdyfi

Aberdyfi Tourist Information Centre is conveniently situated in the centre of the village on the Wharf where you can get information on local events, attractions, recreational activities and public transport.
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!
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.
Circular Walk 5 - Coed y Graig

Address

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

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Newtown

Rated as easy, this is a pub based walk that starts and finishes at the Waggon and Horses in Lower Canal Road, Newtown
Mary Jones | Heritage Trail

Address

Llanfihangel Y Pennant, Near Abergynolwyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9TS

Near Abergynolwyn

The Mary Jones Walk retraces the route the 15-year-old Mary Jones walked 25 miles from Llanfihangel-y-Pennant, across the Welsh mountains, to Bala to get a Bible from Revd. Thomas Charles.
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
Great Little Trains of Wales | Discount Card

Address

Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

gr8littletrains@gmail.com

Tywyn

Discover Great Little Trains of Wales: Buy a 20% off Discount Card and get 20% off one adult full round-trip fare on twelve steam railways located in stunning scenery across Wales.
Aberporth | Dolwen & Dyffryn Beaches

Address

Aberporth, Ceredigion, SA43 2DD

tourism@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberporth

Aberporth, a pretty coastal village, shelters two beautiful sandy beaches named Dolwen and Dyffryn. Low tide comes complete with little rock pools on the sandy beach where children gather for hours of entertainment.
Glyndwr's Way | Knighton - Llanidloes

Address

Trail Start - Knighton, Knighton - Felindre - Abbeycwmhir - Llanidloes, Powys, LD7 1EN

Telephone
01597 827562

helen.tatchell@powys.gov.uk

Knighton - Felindre - Abbeycwmhir - Llanidloes

The 135 m/217km National Trail is a long distance walk which can be enjoyed as a continuous journey, typically taking around nine days, or over a series of weekend or day trips.
The Big Tribute Festival

Address

Cefn Melindwr, Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3LS

boxoffice@thebigtribute.co.uk

Aberystwyth

Dates

From:

28 Aug 2026to30 Aug 2026

The Big Tribute Festival is THE unmissable family event of the summer – be part of it in Aberystwyth this August!
Rail & Trail Adventures

Address

Vale of Rheidol Railway, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY231PG

Telephone
01970 625819

info@vor.wales

Aberystwyth

Dates

From:
19 Sept 2026Open 10:30 - 16:45
From:
17 Oct 2026Open 10:30 - 16:45

Enjoy a 12 mile scenic steam journey on the railway before embarking on a guided walk through the breathtaking landscapes surrounding Devil's Bridge.
Llanandras | Presteigne

Address

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2AD

Presteigne

Presteigne, (Llanandras in Welsh), was once the county town of Radnorshire and nestles at the heart of the Mid Wales Marches on the border of Wales and England. Presteigne and Norton have been designated by DarkSky International as the very first…
Bro Dyfi Leisure Centre

Address

Aberystwyth Road, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8ER

Telephone
01654 703300

broddyfi@freedom-leisure.co.uk

Machynlleth

Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre: An indoor 20 meter leisure swimming pool and 30ft flume, sports hall, squash courts, climbing wall and fitness suite.
Rhayader Leisure Centre

Address

North Street, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01597 810355

rhayader@freedom-leisure.co.uk

Rhayader

The Rhayader Leisure Centre is centrally located in Rhayader and offers Health and Fitness facilities, swimming pool and conference facilities.