To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Learn more

My Planner

To build your own Itinerary, click Add to Excursion to add an item to your Itinerary basket.

Already saved an Itinerary?

Summer Half Term in Mid Wales

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.

Number of results: 1025

, currently showing 581 to 600.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Presteigne Festival

Address

Various Venues, Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2YT

Telephone
01544 267800

bookings@presteignefestival.com

Presteigne

Dates

From:

27 Aug 2026to31 Aug 2026

The annual Presteigne Festival is Internationally renowned for its commissioning of new work, support of living composers and with a long tradition for the encouragement of talented young artists.
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) Visitor Centre

Address

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

Telephone
01874 623366

enquiries@beacons-npa.gov.uk

Brecon

The Bannau Brycheiniog Visitor Centre provides information and interpretation for visitors to the area. There is a cafe on site, picnic area and craft and gift shop. The centre is one of the best places in the National Park to experience Dark Skies.
Glyndwr's Way | Llanwddyn - Welshpool

Address

Mid Wales, Powys, SY21 7DD

Telephone
01597 827562

helen.tatchell@powys.gov.uk

A 132 mile National Trail set in the heart of Mid Wales breathtaking countryside, dedicated to the 15th Century Welsh Prince Owain Glyndwr
Castell y Bere - (Cadw)

Address

Abergynolwyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9TS

Telephone
0300 025 6000

cadw@gov.wales

Gwynedd

Deep in the mountainous heart of mid Wales, nestling at the foot of Cadair Idris, lie the ruins of Castell y Bere. An atmospheric site, it is an outstanding example of a stronghold of the native Welsh princes.
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
Abergavenny Museum and Castle

Address

Abergavenny Museum and Castle, Castle Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5EE

Telephone
01873 845282

abergavennymuseum@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Abergavenny

The Museum was founded on 2nd July 1959. The idea for a Museum was around from as early as 1903 when it was discussed and minuted by the Abergavenny Free Library Committee.
Newcastle Emlyn

Address

Carmarthenshire, SA38 9AE

Telephone
01267 231 557

Newcastle Emlyn is a town straddling the counties of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire in west Wales and lying on the River Teifi.
Abermule and Bettws Cedewain (Cycle Route)

Address

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Powys

A moderate cycle ride on peaceful, rural lanes with two steep hills to reach both Montgomery and Dolforwyn Castles.
17.5Miles (28.2km) 2-2.5hrs - Elevation Total Ascent: 488m
Llanfair ym Muallt | Builth Wells

Address

Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3BU

Builth Wells

Builth Wells is home to the Royal Welsh Show, red kites and the final resting place of Wales' last prince, Llewelyn the Last.
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.
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...
Natural Dyeing Workshop

Address

RSPB Ynys-hir, Eglwys-fach, Machynlleth, Ceredigion, SY20 8TA

Telephone
+441654700222

ynyshir@rspb.org.uk

Machynlleth

Dates

From:
12 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 15:30

Spend the day in the woods learning about plants and their natural dyes. This is a hands on workshop and you will go home with examples of the dyes you have made.
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
Montgomery Trails | Irresistible Offa Walking Route

Address

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery

This scenic circular walk takes you through the farming fields of Montgomery east, from the remnants of ridge and furrow farming from the middle ages to Boardyhall Wood past Lymore Lodge and current farm buildings.
Minffordd Railway Station

Address

Minffordd, Porthmadog, LL48 6HG

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Porthmadog

Minffordd railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
Trans Wales Trails

Address

Cwmfforest Riding Centre, Pengenffordd, Talgarth, Brecon, LD30EU

Telephone
01874 711398

riding@transwales.com

Talgarth

Trans Wales Trails offer all abilities of rider a choice of horse-riding holidays in some of the most beautiful and undiscovered parts of the Mid Wales countryside.

Price
Price £135.00 per adult
Offa's Dyke Path National Trail

Address

Wales, LD7 1EP

Telephone
01597 827580

odpnt@powys.gov.uk

Crossing the border between England and Wales more than ten times in its 293km (182m), the Offa's Dyke Path passes through some of the most attractive landscape.
Bwlch Nant yr Arian | Walking Trails (NRW)

Address

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

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth

Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre sits at the head of a dramatic valley and has commanding views of Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains. Expect beautiful scenic walking trails all of which are waymarked and start from the visitor centre.
Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) Beach

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL44 2HD

Telephone
01341 281617

info@barmouthstation.com

Barmouth

Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) is a long sandy beach backed by an extensive sand dune system between Shell Island and Dyffryn Ardudwy.
Knighton Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Knighton, LD7 1DT

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Knighton

Knighton railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line from Shrewsbury to Swansea.