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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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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.
Bala & Penllyn

Address

Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7AD

Telephone
01286 679686

tourism@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

Bala

Bala & Penllyn is an area within the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park surrounded by the peaks of Aran Benllyn, Arenig Fawr and the Berwyn Mountains and home to the largest natural lake in Wales,
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
Builth Road Railway Station

Address

Llechrhyd Terrace, nr Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3PY

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@traveline.cymru

nr Builth Wells

Builth Wells has a railway station two miles north of the town; Builth Road is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
The Cambrian Way | Central Section

Address

Llanymddfri | Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0AW

Carmarthenshire

The Cambrian Way is a challenging long distance walk through the most unspoilt countryside in Wales. Walkers will be amazed at the remoteness of the central section route through Mid Wales from the Brecon Beacons to Southern Snowdonia.
PYFA Evening Concert | Gregynog

Address

Gregynog Hall & Gardens, Tregynon, Nr Newtown, Powys, SY16 3PL

Telephone
01686 650224

enquiries@gregynog.org

Nr Newtown

Dates

From:
30 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00

Join us for the second concert of the second edition of Pererinion Ysbrydol Festival Academy!
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.
Mwnt Beach

Address

Mwnt, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 1QH

Telephone
01545 570200

mwnt@nationaltrust.org.uk

Cardigan

Mwnt, about 4.5 miles from Cardigan, is named after the conical hill (Foel y Mwnt) that rises above this popular beach. It is an ideal place to spot bottlenose dolphins, basking sharks and porpoises in the distance!
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Cwm Ralltgoed Walk

Address

Aberllefenni, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

Start: NRW forest car park.
Turn R just before Aberllefenni village sign.
Grid Reference: SH 769 092
Distance: 8.4 km - 5.2 miles
Grade: Easy/Moderate
Maps: OS Explorer . OL23
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
Dinas Oleu Walk

Address

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

Telephone
01341 440238

eryri@nationaltrust.org.uk

Barmouth

The Dinas Oleu Walk takes you from Barmouth town centre through the steep narrow winding streets of the Old Town and up to the top of the gorse-covered hill, known as Dinas Oleu (Citadel of Light).
Burfa Bog Nature Reserve

Address

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2SH

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Powys

A low-lying reserve with Knobley brook running through the wet grassland. Butterflies and flowers are abundant in the spring and summer months.
Aberteifi | Cardigan

Address

Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 1JL

Telephone
01545 570602

aberaerontic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Cardigan

Cardigan sits on the border between Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire with many superb beaches & coastal walks nearby.
Craig y Nos Country Park

Address

Brecon Road, Penycae, Swansea Valley, SA9 1GL

Telephone
01639 730395

Penycae

Craig-y-nos Country Park is on the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It is a 40-acre Victorian garden with shady woodlands, meadows, ponds, lawns spread along the banks of the River Tawe.
Katrina @ Cardigan Castle

Address

Cardigan Castle & Gardens, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 1JA

Telephone
01239 615131

info@cardigancastle.com

Cardigan

Dates

From:
18 July 2026Open 18:00 - 22:30

If you feel like ‘Walking on Sunshine’ this summer join us at Cardigan Castle – Eurovision song contest winner Katrina will perform on Saturday the 18th of July
Llyn Coed y Dinas Nature Reserve

Address

Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8RP

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Welshpool

Created from a gravel pit, quarried to provide material for the creation of the Welshpool bypass, Llyn Coed y Dinas is a fantastic home for all sorts of wildlife.
Aberdyfi | Aberdovey Railway Station

Address

Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0NR

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Aberdyfi

Aberdyfi has a station on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli and also at Penhelig at the east end of the village.
Glaslyn Nature Reserve

Address

Aberhosan, Powys, SY20 8RE

Telephone
01938 555654

Powys

Glaslyn is Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’s biggest nature reserve, an integral part of the Cambrian Mountains.
Teifi Loop Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - Teifi Loop Walk
Start: SN418406 - Car Park, Llandysul
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 5.63km/3.5M
Time: 2.5 hours (excluding rest stops)
Rev.W. Awdry's Engines Weekend | Talyllyn Railway

Address

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

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Dates

From:

18 July 2026to19 July 2026

Celebrating the life and legacy of the Reverend Wilbert Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine & Talyllyn Railway Volunteer!