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Summer Half Term in Mid Wales

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Half Term Activities in Mid Wales | Family Things to Do

Summer half term in Mid Wales

Summer half term falls in late May, when Mid Wales is warming up and the beaches, mountains and family attractions are open for the season. It is one of the best weeks of the year to visit, with longer evenings, quieter roads than the summer holidays, and enough variety to keep families busy for a full week.

Beach days

The beaches along the Cardigan Bay coast are the obvious starting point. Barmouth has the big sandy beach with dunes and an ice cream van. Aberdyfi is smaller and more sheltered. Aberystwyth has two beaches plus the pier, the cliff railway and plenty of cafes. On the Ceredigion coast, New Quay has dolphins visible from the shore and Llangrannog has a proper cove with rock pools.

Steam railways

Children love steam trains. The Vale of Rheidol Railway runs from Aberystwyth to Devils Bridge through mountain scenery. The Talyllyn Railway near Tywyn in Southern Eryri (Southern Snowdonia) is the oldest preserved railway in the world. The Welshpool and Llanfair Railway crosses Powys farmland. Each journey takes about an hour, and most railways have cafes and shops at the stations.

Family attractions

The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth is a hands-on experience for all ages, with a water-powered cliff railway, interactive displays and nature trails. King Arthur's Labyrinth at Corris takes you underground by boat to explore caverns with sound and light displays. Gigrin Farm near Rhayader feeds red kites daily and hundreds come swooping down at feeding time.

Bwlch Nant yr Arian near Aberystwyth has mountain bike trails, walking trails and a lakeside cafe where red kites are fed daily. The Silver Mountain Experience near Aberystwyth takes you into an old lead mine. Animalarium in Borth is a small zoo and rescue centre right by the beach.

Outdoor activities

If the weather is good, head for the outdoors. Kayaking on the Dyfi estuary or in Cardigan Bay is suitable for families. Cycling the Mawddach Trail from Dolgellau to Barmouth is flat, traffic-free and follows the estuary. Walking routes in the Elan Valley, around Llyn Clywedog or along the coast path are manageable for children.

Rainy day plans

It will rain at some point. When it does, Aberystwyth has the National Library of Wales (free exhibitions), the Ceredigion Museum and indoor swimming. The Magic of Life butterfly house near Aberystwyth is small but children love it. In Powys, the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells sometimes has events during half term, and Llandrindod Wells has the Radnorshire Museum and Lakeside cafe.

Where to stay

Self-catering cottages work best for families at half term. A cottage with a garden and a washing machine makes a week with children much easier. Camping is also good in late May, with warmer nights and quieter sites than the summer holidays. Book early for coastal properties; half term is popular.

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Shrewsbury Bus Station

Address

Raven Meadows, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 1PL

Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury bus station is at Raven Meadows in the town centre with services to Mid Wales.
Severn Way Walk

Address

Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6EE

Telephone
01938 551000

Walk the Severn Way, a long distance footpath tracing the route of Britain's longest river, from its sources to the sea.
Crickhowell Red - Mynydd Du Forest Route

Address

Crug Hywel | Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1AA

Telephone
01874 623366

mountain.centre@breconbeacons.org

Powys

Mynydd Du Forest Route 36km
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.
Ceredigion Coast Path | Llangrannog - New Quay

Address

Llangrannog - New Quay, Llangrannog, Ceredigion, SA44 6SD

Telephone
01239 613230

CardiganTIC@Ceredigion.gov.uk

Llangrannog

3rd section of the Cerdigion Coastal Path
Total distance 15km (9.4 miles)
Llangrannog to Cwm Tydu 9.4km (5.9 miles), grade/moderate
Cwm Tydu to New Quay 5.6km (3.5 miles, grade/moderate
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.
Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

Address

Brecon - Newport, Powys, LD3 7EW

Telephone
01633 892167

Brecon - Newport

The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is often voted Britain's prettiest canal. It runs for 32 miles (51.5 km) through idyllic scenery in the Brecon Beacons National Park
Barmouth Walking Festival

Address

Abermaw | Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, Gwynedd, LL42 1LS

Telephone
07581 700877

hello@barmouthwalkingfestival.co.uk

Dates

From:

12 Sept 2026to21 Sept 2026

Another year, another great set of walks. Immerse yourself in stunning coastal scenery, explore rich history, and savour local delights.
Montgomery Walking Festival

Address

Various Walks around Montgomery, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6RD

Telephone
01686 669730

brett@myphone.coop

Montgomery

Dates

From:

3 Oct 2026to4 Oct 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00

This weekend see the return of the popular Montgomery Walking Festival with a number of walks planned over the two days.
Spoon Carving with David Hunter

Address

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

Telephone
+441974831760

info@strataflorida.org.uk

Ponthrydfendigaid

Dates

From:
17 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:30

Spoon Carving with an expert. David Hunter is a full time coppice and green woodworker who had been carving spoons for over 10 years.
Morfa Harlech Nature Reserve (NRW)

Address

Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2UR

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Gwynedd

Morfa Harlech is one of two extensive sand dune systems which make up much of the southern Snowdonia coastline, extending from the Mawddach estuary in the south to Black Rock Sands in the north west.
Coastal Way | Aberystwyth to Cardigan

Address

Aberystwyth - Aberaeron - Cardigan, Ceredigion, SY23 2AG

Aberystwyth - Aberaeron - Cardigan

Around 70 miles/110km of The Coastal Way lies within Ceredigion stretching from the mouth of the Dyfi Estuary in the north to
the historic market town of Cardigan in the south
Abergavenny Food Festival 2026

Address

Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5HD

Telephone
07863 081303

affinfo@abergavennyfoodfestival.com

Abergavenny

Dates

From:

19 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026

Abergavenny plays host to the best of Welsh, British and international producers for two days every September, alongside a wide variety of top chefs, entertainment, demonstrations and more...
Pen Cerrig-Calch Walk

Address

Brecon Beacons | Black Mountains, Powys

Telephone
01873 812105

Powys

Both this walk and the one following to Pen Allt-mawr are more demanding walks. Start the walk in the pay and display car park and follow the directions for getting up Table Mountain
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.
Circular Walk 1 - Ffrydd Farm and Penshwa Lane

Address

Y Drenewydd | Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BB

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Powys

This walk starts and ends in the centre of Newtown. It is a mixture of road and off -road walking with some sections muddy after heavy rain. It includes lovely views over Newtown and the surrounding hills. This walk is rated as moderate…
Bannau Brycheiniog | Brecon Beacons National Park

Address

National Park Visitor Centre, Libanus, Powys, LD3 8NL

Libanus

Bannau Brycheiniog | Brecon Beacons National Park lies on the border between Mid Wales and South Wales and includes Fforest Fawr UNESCO Global Geopark and International Dark Sky Reserve
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)
Coed Nash | Nash Wood (NRW)

Address

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2YT

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Powys

Just outside the historic town of Presteigne, Nash Wood lies half in Wales and half in England. The circular walking trail goes to a viewpoint overlooking one of the many hillforts along this part of the border.
Teifi Valley Railway

Address

Henllan Station, Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 5TD

Telephone
01559 371077

info@teifivalleyrailway.wales

Llandysul

The Teifi Valley Railway was created from a branch line of the Great Western Railway which served the West Wales rural area.
The Epynt Way

Address

Sennybridge, Brecon, LD3 9RG

enquiries.epynt@gmail.com

Brecon

THE EPYNT WAY is a 65 km long distance path around the circumference of the Sennybridge Training Area. It is open to walkers, equestrians and mountain bikers. The trail is well marked with frequent, yellow-topped marker posts which have green and…