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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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Bryn-tail Leadworks (Cadw)

Address

Llyn Clywedog, Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6NU

cadw@gov.wales

Llanidloes

The ruins of the Bryn-tail Leadworks lie in the shadow of the dam at the southern end of Llyn Clywedog Reservoir near Llanidloes Buildings and structures associated with the nineteenth-century extraction and processing of lead ore.
Aberystwyth Arts Centre

Address

Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DE

Telephone
01970 623232

artstaff@aber.ac.uk

Aberystwyth

Award winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre is Wales’ largest arts centre and recognised as a 'national flagship for the arts'. It has a wide-ranging programme across all art forms including drama, dance, music, visual arts film & new media.
The Corris Railway Society Model Railway Exhibition 2025

Address

Y Plas, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8ER

Telephone
01823 323106

enquiries@corris.co.uk

Machynlleth

Dates

From:

29 Aug 2026to30 Aug 2026

Something for all ages at Bank Holiday Model Railway Exhibition in Machynlleth
Rhaeadr Ddu & Coed Ganllwyd | Walking Trails

Address

Coed Ganllwyd Nature Reserve, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2TG

Telephone
01341 440238

eyri@nationaltrust.org

Dolgellau

A network of paths on the Coed Ganllwyd reserve mean you can choose from circular walks of 100 metres up to more demanding routes that stretch over two kilometres.
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.
Presteigne Local Food Market

Address

Memorial Hall, Station Road, Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2UG

cmbrassington55@btinternet.com

Presteigne

Dates

From:
5 Sept 2026

Presteigne Local Food Market takes place at the Memorial Hall, Station Road, Presteigne LD8 2DU - usually on the first Saturday of each month.
Dyfnant Forest | Pen y Fford (NRW)

Address

Dyfnant & Vyrnwy Forests (NRW), Penyfford Car Park, Lake Vyrnwy, Powys, SY21 0QH

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Lake Vyrnwy

Dyfnant Forest is home to the Dyfnant Rainbow Trails, designed with horses in mind but also welcoming walkers. There are nearly 100 miles of tracks and trails with five horse riding trails and three carriage driving trails in Dyfnant Forest starting…
Waen-oer Ridge Mountain Walk

Address

Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, LL49 9LP

Telephone
01341 422888

Gwynedd

The Waun-oer Ridge Walk climbs from the village of Dinas Mawddwy over the bare mountains of Maesglase, Craig Portas, Cribin Fawr and Waun-oer and then down the slopes of Mynydd Ceiswyn to Bwlch Llyn Bach pass, Tal-y-llyn.
Brecon Farmers & Makers Market

Address

Market Hall, High Street, Brecon, Powys, LD3 9DA

Telephone
07926 196714

maxencala@gmail.com

Brecon

Dates

From:
12 Sept 2026

Brecon Farmers & Makers Market is held on the 2nd Saturday of each month 09:30 - 16:00 at the Market Hall, Brecon.
Circular Walk 8 - Llanllwchaiarn Lollipop Walk

Address

Y Drenewydd | Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BB

Telephone
01686 625544

walkingnewtown@hotmail.com

Powys

The Llanllwchaiarn Lollipop Walk starts and finishes at the Town Clock at the intersection of Broad, High and Severn
Streets. The walk is 4.3 miles and should take around 2 hours
Borth Railway Station

Address

Cambrian Trerrace, Borth, Ceredigion, SY24 5HT

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Borth

Borth railway station is on the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth.
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)
Aberystwyth Comedy Festival

Address

Aberystwyth, various locations, Aberystwyth, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DE

boxoffice@abercomedyfest.co.uk

Aberystwyth

Dates

From:

2 Oct 2026to4 Oct 2026

Laugh your way through a weekend of top-class comedy in the heart of Ceredigion! With a fantastic mix of established names and rising stars, the Aberystwyth Comedy Festival promises plenty of laughs and unforgettable performances.
Sustrans Route 81:Aberystwyth - Rhayader

Address

Aberystwyth Town Centre, SY23 1LG

Telephone
01179268893

Sustrans route 81 or "Lon Cambria" is an East-West cycle route which crosses the Cambrian Mountains and heads towards Shrewsbury and beyond.
Bailey Einon Nature Reserve

Address

Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5PD

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Powys

A broadleaved woodland that sits alongside the River Ithon. Teeming with birds and flowers, this is a small nature reserve with a lot of wildlife.
Spirit of the Miners Circular Walk

Address

Pontarfynach | Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion, SY23 3JW

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of 'Spirit of the Miners' Walks
Open fields, steep woodland trails, 3 river crossings
Start/Finish: SN738767 - Devils Bridge
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 110K/6M
Time: 3hrs
Y Dolydd | Llanfyllin Workhouse - Open Doors 2026

Address

Y Dolydd Llanfyllin Workhouse, Y Dolydd, Llanfyllin, Powys, SY22 5LD

Telephone
07534354082

bunkhouse@the-workhouse.com

Llanfyllin

Dates

From:

12 Sept 2026to13 Sept 2026

A historic building housing the Workhouse History Centre, and a community facility for education, creativity and sustainability. We also house many business units and hire spaces for events, weddings, private parties, courses and seminars.
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.
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
Rhayader to Devil's Bridge | Scenic Drive

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Rhayader to Devil's Bridge, Powys, LD6 5BU

Rhayader to Devil's Bridge

Described by the AA as “one of the 10 best scenic drives in the world”, expect spectacular scenery as you travel the watershed of the Cambrian Mountains,
Llandovery Railway Station

Address

Station Yard, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0BG

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Llandovery

Llandovery railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line that runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.