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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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Corris

Address

Corris, Gwynedd, SY20 9SS

Corris

Located 5 miles north of Machynlleth, Corris boasts a surprisingly rich vein of local attractions nearby together with thrilling mountain biking in the forest, excellent fishing at Llyn Myngul (Tal y Llyn Lake) and challenging walking on Cadair…
Dyfi Forest (NRW)

Address

Dyfi Forest (NRW), Gwynedd, SY20 8QJ

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Gwynedd

The Dyfi Forest is located mainly to the north of the Afon Dyfi between Dolgellau to the north and Machynlleth to the south. Dyfi is a 6000ha forest - a spectacular landscape well worth exploring.
Brecon | Poetry Trail

Address

Aberhonddu | Brecon, Powys, LD3 7AD

Telephone
01874 622485

Aberhonddu | Brecon

Brecon's poetry trail invites everyone to explore the streets, rivers and landmarks of the ancient Welsh town of Brecon and its connection to the myths and legends of the magical, mystical land of Wales.
Llandysul Town Historic Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - Llandysul Town Historic Walk
Start/Finish: SN418406 - Car Park, Llandysul
Suitable for: All walkers
Grade: Easy
Distance: 1.1km/1.8M
Time: 1 hour (excluding rest stops)
Glyndwr's Way National Trail

Address

Trail Start - Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN

Telephone
01597 827562

helen.tatchell@powys.gov.uk

Powys

A 132 mile trail set in the heart of Mid Wales breathtaking countryside, dedicated to the 15c Welsh warrior and self proclaimed Prince Owain Glyndwr
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:
16 July 2026
From:
3 Sept 2026
From:
17 Sept 2026

Experience the beauty of a World Heritage Site in our original Victorian-Era Carriages
Oswestry Bus Station

Address

Station Road, Oswestry, SY11 1QP

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@trawscymru.info

Oswestry

Oswestry bus station is in the centre of the town next to the Aldi store with services to Shrewsbury, Welshpool, Newtown, Machynlleth and Wrexham.
Cors Caron National Nature Reserve (NRW)

Address

Tregaron, Ceredigion, SY25 6JF

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Cors Caron is a vast wetland near Tregaron. The huge raised peat bogs and surrounding habitats support a wealth of wildlife. Accessible boardwalk over bog to hide, and Sustrans National Cycle route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Harlech Beach

Address

Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2UG

Telephone
01286 679686

tourism@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

Harlech

Harlech beach is an ideal place for children to play and an even better spot for adults to sit back and relax. The beautiful sand dunes are the reason behind the area’s designation as a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Spirit of the Miners Circular Walk

Address

Pontarfynach | Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion, SY23 3JW

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of 'Spirit of the Miners' Walks
Open fields, steep woodland trails, 3 river crossings
Start/Finish: SN738767 - Devils Bridge
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 110K/6M
Time: 3hrs
Bala Lake Railway | Model Railway Show

Address

Llyn Tegid | Bala Lake Railway, Llanuwchlyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7DD

Telephone
01678 540666

enquiries@bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Llanuwchlyn, Bala

Dates

From:

19 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00

Join us at Bala Model Railway Show, a popular exhibition of detailed model layouts and exhibits held over 2 days at Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn Secondary School, Bala.
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.
Llanbedr Railway Station

Address

Llanbedr, Gwynedd, LL45 2LR

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Llanbedr

Llanbedr railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
The Beacons Way Walk

Address

National Park Visitor Centre, Libanus, Brecon, Powys, LD3 8EL

Telephone
01874 623366

visitor.centre@breconbeacons.org

Brecon

The Beacons Way walk offers some of the best views the National Park has to offer. If you want to complete the whole 163 km (101 mile) walk it takes eight days, or you can do it one day at a time at your convenience.
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.
Hafod Forest (NRW)

Address

Devil's Bridge, Nr Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3UR

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Nr Aberystwyth

Historic landscape with dramatic walks, waterfalls and views. The Hafod Forest occupies some 200 hectares of the Ystwyth valley and surrounding hills.
Brechfa Forest (NRW)

Address

Abergorlech, Carmarthenshire

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Carmarthenshire

The famous Brechfa Forest is managed by Natural Resources Wales for the benefit of people, wildlife, recreation and timber production.
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
Ceri Forest | Block Wood Car Park (NRW)

Address

Nr Newtown, Kerry, Powys, SY7 8PS

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Kerry

Ceri Forest is a coniferous forest which sits astride the Kerry Ridgeway in the uplands of Montgomeryshire / Shropshire border
Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon

Address

Lake Vyrnwy, Llanwddyn, Powys, SY10 0LT

Telephone
07595 031 333

hello@adrenalinesportingevents.co.uk

Llanwddyn

Dates

From:
13 Sept 2026

Take on this scenic Half Marathon around Lake Vyrnwy, nestled at the foot of the Berwyn Mountains.