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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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Llandysul/Pont-Tyweli South Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - Llandysul / Pont-Tyweli South Walk
Start: SN418406 - Car Park, Llandysul
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 9km/5.6M
Time: 2.5hrs (excluding rest stops)
Montgomery Cycle Trail | Llandyssil and Abermule

Address

Circular Cycling Route, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Telephone
01938 552043

admin@montgomery-wales.co.uk

Montgomery

There are five Montgomery Cycle Trails based in and around Montgomery that will provide you with beautiful views of the dramatic countryside of the Mid Wales Marches. Cycle Parking is available in Broad Street in the town centre.
Morfa Dyffryn Nature Reserve (NRW)

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, near Barmouth, LL43 2AR

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

near Barmouth

The spectacular Morfa Dyffryn Reserve stretches for about 4.5 miles along the coast of Cardigan Bay from Afon Ysgethin in the south to Afon Artro in the north.
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
Harlech Railway Station

Address

Ffordd Morfa, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2UL

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Harlech

Harlech railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
The Ann Griffiths Walk

Address

Pont Llogel, Llwydiarth to Pontrobert, Lake Vyrnwy, Powys, SY21 0QG

Telephone
01597 827567

Lake Vyrnwy

The Ann Griffiths Trail is a 7 mile linear walk that follows closely the bank of the River Vyrnwy for most of its length with the Berwyn mountains forming a splendid backdrop. The path runs from Pont Llogel, Llwydiarth to Pontrobert with scenery…
Aberystwyth Arts Centre | Conferences - Meetings

Address

Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DE

Telephone
07875664179

aum@aber.ac.uk

Aberystwyth

The Arts Centre can cater for events and conferences up to the capacity of 900 people.
Award winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre is Wales’ largest arts centre and recognised as a 'national flagship for the arts'.
MWT Cymru | Meeting Room

Address

Mid Wales Tourism, The Station, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8TG

Telephone
01654 702653

davina@mwtcymru.co.uk

Machynlleth

Great location at Machynlleth Train Station, this first floor meeting room can be booked for interviews, training sessions, group/association meetings.
Coed y Bont Community Woodland

Address

Abbey Road, Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion, SY25 6ER

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Pontrhydfendigaid

Coed y Bont is a community woodland situated on the edge of the village of Pontrhydfendigaid in the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains. The woodland is recognised as a Dark Sky Discovery Site.
Llanrhystud

Address

Llanrhystud, Ceredigion, SY23 5BW

Telephone
01970 612125

AberystwythTIC@ceredigion.gov.uk

Llanrhystud

Llanrhystud is a Ceredigion coastal village midway between Aberystwyth and Aberaeron. It has a half mile long sandy beach at low tide which is well suited for windsurfing and swimming.
Cadair Idris | Walking Routes (NRW)

Address

Cadair Idris, Southern Snowdonia, LL39 1AX

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Southern Snowdonia

There are three recommended walking routes to conquer Cader Idris. Whichever route you take they are all designated ‘hard/strenuous’ routes, and you should allow between five to six hours to get there and back
Llyn Mwyngil | Tal-y-Llyn Lake

Address

Southern Snowdonia, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9AJ

Telephone
01654 767321

TIC.Aberdyfi@snowdonia.gov.wales

Tywyn

Located at the foot of Cadair Idris, Tal-y-llyn Lake (Also known as Llyn Mwyngil) is north of Machynlleth and north-east of Tywyn.
Mid Wales Rail Trails | Barmouth to Porthmadog.

Address

Barmouth Railway Station, Station Approach, Barmouth - Porthmadog, LL42 1LS

Barmouth - Porthmadog

Mid Wales Rail Trails | Points of interest travelling on the Cambrian Line from Barmouth to Porthmadog.
Hafod Estate | Hafod Uchtryd

Address

Cwm Ystwyth, Ceredigion, SY25 6DX

Telephone
01974 282568

hafod@nationaltrust.org.uk

Ceredigion

The Hafod Estate | Hafod Uchtryd, 12 miles south-east of Aberystwyth, is recognised as one of the finest examples in Europe of a picturesque landscape.
Apple Weekend at Llanerchaeron

Address

Llanerchaeron, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA48 8DG

Telephone
01545 570200

llanerchaeron@nationaltrust.org.uk

Aberaeron

Dates

From:

2 Oct 2026to4 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00

Celebrating the humble apple with apple displays, orchard talks, children's activities and much more!
Aberystwyth Town Library

Address

Canolfan Alun R Edwards, Aberystwyth, SY23 2EB

Telephone
01970 633717

llyfrgell.library@ceredigion.gov.uk

Offering a wide range of books, talking books, DVDs, music CDs for loan, access to online resources including eBooks, local and family history collections, computers and free WiFi.
Llys-y-Frân Lake & Visitor Centre

Address

Llys y Frân, Clarbeston Road, Pembrokeshire, SA63 4RR

Telephone
01437 532273

llysyfran@dwrcymru.com

Clarbeston Road

Llys y Frân Lake has reopened following a £4m refurbishment with a new Visitor Centre, cafe, cycle hire, fishing, walking, watersports, adventure playground and climbing wall
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Llyn Barfog Walk

Address

Cwm Maethlon | Happy Valley, Aberdyfi, GWYNEDD

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Aberdyfi

Start: Snowdonia National Park Authority car park, Cwm Maethlon/Happy Valley
Grid Reference: SN 640 986
Distance: 5 km - 3.1 miles (shortcut 4 km – 2.5 miles)
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Open moorland, firm tracks, fields and tarmac road.
Brecon Beacons | Black Mountains

Address

Nr Crickhowell, Powys

Nr Crickhowell

The Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons National Park are spread across Powys, Monmouthshire and Herefordshire. Great for walking and the iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain is a great place to experience dark skies.
Dolydd Hafren Nature Reserve

Address

Forden, Powys, SY21 8NN

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Powys

The River Severn loops lazily across its valley floor, its loops and bends creating oxbow lakes which are now good wetland habitat for waterfowl.
Coed Ganllwyd Nature Reserve

Address

Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2TG

Telephone
01341 440238

rhodri.wigley@nationaltrust.org.uk

Gwynedd

The Dolmelynllyn estate is about 5 miles north of Dolgellau. To explore the estate, which includes the Coed Ganllwd Nature Reserve. This ancient woodland extends up the hill and valley side above the famous Rhaeadr Ddu (Black Falls).