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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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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.
Tour de France 2027 - Stage 3 Welshpool to Cardiff

Address

Stage 3 Start: Powis Castle, Welshpool, SY21 8RF

contact@aso.fr

Welshpool

Dates

From:
4 July 2027

Stage three of the men’s Tour de France, the world’s largest annual sporting event, will start in Welshpool on Sunday, July 4 and finish in Cardiff.
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 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.
Welsh National Foal & Yearling Show

Address

Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3SY

Telephone
01559 370 529

ruperra@hotmail.com

Builth Wells

Dates

From:
25 Oct 2026Open 10:00 -

Wales premier show for foals & yearlings with classes for all Welsh Sections and Riding Ponies.
The Irfon View Road Ride

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
01591 610666

info@llanwrtyd.com

Powys

THE IRFON VIEW ROAD RIDE
Distance 14km (8.7m)
TimE 1 - 2 hrs
Harlech Castle- (Cadw) Open Doors Tours 2026

Address

Castle Square, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2YH

Telephone
03000 252239

harlechcastle@gov.wales

Harlech

Dates

From:

26 Sept 2026to27 Sept 2026

Explore the magnificent castle of Edward I at Harlech - which is inscribed on the World Heritage List. One of the most formidable and dominant fortresses in Wales. Panoramic views of Snowdonia and the sea. On site exhibition.
Sennybridge Show

Address

Sennybridge, nr Brecon, Powys, LD3 8TW

sennybridgeshow@gmail.com

nr Brecon

Dates

From:
5 Sept 2026Open 09:00 -

The Sennybridge Show is a one day event held on the first Saturday in September each year. The showground is located just off the A40 in Sennybridge.
2026 JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion

Address

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2AG

Aberystwyth

Dates

From:

4 Sept 2026to6 Sept 2026

Rali Ceredigion 2026 returns as one of the UK’s most exciting motorsport events, bringing world-class rally action to the scenic roads of West Wales.
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.
Caersws Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Caersws, Powys, SY17 5HH

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Caersws

Caersws railway station is on the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth; most trains run from/to Birmingham International.
Sidney Nolan Art Prize Exhibition

Address

The Rodd, Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2LL

Telephone
01544 260149

info@sidneynolantrust.org

Presteigne

Dates

From:

11 July 2026to4 Oct 2026

The Sidney Nolan Art Prize Exhibition presents more than 50 artworks selected from over 1,600 international submissions to the inaugural Sidney Nolan Art Prize.

Price
Price £5.65 per concession to £6.30 per adult
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.
Coed y Brenin | Walking Trails (NRW)

Address

Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre (NRW), Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2HZ

Telephone
01341 440747

coedybrenin@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Dolgellau

Three walking trails are waymarked and start from Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre car park.
More walking trails start from our other car parks within Coed y Brenin Forest Park.
Llandysul and Pont-Tyweli Walking Weekend

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01559 362403

info@dolenteifi.org.uk

Llandysul

Dates

From:

25 Sept 2026to27 Sept 2026Various Opening Times

The Llandysul and Pont-Tyweli Walkers Welcome group have come together to organise a walking weekend for the whole family which will be held during last weekend of September.
Coed Maen Arthur | Woodland Walk

Address

Coed Maenarthur Woodland, Pontrhydygroes, Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Devil's Bridge

Coed Maen Arthur is a woodland in the Ystwyth valley near the village of Pont-rhyd-y-groes, 14 miles from Aberstwyth. The waymarked walk goes through the woodland to Castell Grogwynion, one of the largest hill forts in Wales, and passes near an…
Oswestry

Address

Shropshire, SY11 2TE

Telephone
01654 702653

info@mwtcymru.co.uk

Oswestry is the third largest town in Shropshire with a population of 17,000; it is five miles from the border with Wales and has a mixed Welsh and English heritage.
Llanwrtyd Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Llanwrtyd Wells, LD5 4RW

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Llanwrtyd Wells

Llanwrtyd railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line that runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Pwll y Wrach Nature Reserve

Address

Talgarth, Powys, LD3 7LH

Telephone
01874 625708

info@welshwildlife.org

Powys

This 21 acre hillside site embodies the essence of all that is best about the woodland dingles of Mid Wales. Easy access trail through the wood.
The Table Mountain Walk

Address

Crug Hywel | Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1AA

Telephone
01873 812105

Powys

The Table Mountain is clearly visible from most places in Crickhowell. It is just to the north of the village on the eastern shoulder of the much larger Pen Cerrig-calch which dominates the northern views. Grid Ref: SO218185
Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway Station

Address

Church St, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3HE

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Blaenau Ffestiniog

Blaenau Ffestiniog railway station is the terminus of the Conwy Valley Line from Llandudno Junction; most trains run from/to Llandudno. Trains connect with the North Wales Coast Line. It is also the terminus of the Ffestiniog Railway.