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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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Machynlleth Railway Station

Address

Heol y Doll, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Machynlleth

Machynlleth railway station is on the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth. Trains also depart from here for the Cambrian Coast Line to Pwllheli.
Cregennan Lakes

Address

Nr Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL39 1LJ

Telephone
01341440238

eryri@nationaltrust.org.uk

Nr Dolgellau

Cregennan Lakes in southern Snowdonia are owned by the National Trust and are a renowned and often photographed beauty spot. There are tremendous views of the Mawddach Estuary and Barmouth Bridge from near the lake.and the lakes are situated on the…
Wales Coast Path - Carmarthenshire

Address

Llanelli - Amroth, Carmarthenshire, SA67 8NG

Telephone
0300 065 3000

wcp@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Carmarthen Bay is a coastline of great contrasts and takes in a range of habitats including fresh water marshes, salt marshes (including the largest continuous salt marsh in Wales)
Circular Walk 5 - Coed y Graig

Address

Y Drenewydd | Newtown, Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BB

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Newtown

Rated as easy, this is a pub based walk that starts and finishes at the Waggon and Horses in Lower Canal Road, Newtown
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Pennal Walk

Address

Pennal, MACHYNLLETH, Powys, SY20 9DR

Telephone
0300 065 3000

MACHYNLLETH

Start: Pennal village
Grid Reference: SH 699 004
Distance: 13.2km – 8.3 miles
Grade: Strenuous – A mountain walk, not to be undertaken in poor visibility
Maps: OS Explorer – OL 23
North Clettwr Valley Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - North Clettwr Valley Walk
Start: SN452425 - Car Park, Capel Dewi church hall
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Easy
Distance: 3.2km/2M
Time: 1 hour (excluding rest stops)
Coed y Fron Wyllt (NRW)

Address

Clocaenog Forest (NRW), Nr Llanfihangel, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 2AS

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ruthin

Walk to the wildlife viewing hide which overlooks small ponds and the stream - open to the public at all times.Dormice are found in these woodlands, though very hard to spot. Much of this wood is ancient woodland (1600)
Aberystwyth Bus Station

Address

Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1LH

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@traveline.cymru

Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth bus station is next to the railway station with services from/to London, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Bangor, Haverfordwest, Fishguard and Cardigan.
Cors Y Llyn Nature Reserve

Address

Newbridge-on-Wye, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3RU

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Builth Wells

The Cors y Llyn Reserve is one of several mires in the old county of Radnorshire and is located to the south of Newbridge-on-Wye.
Shrewsbury Railway Station

Address

Castle Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY1 2DQ

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury railway station is the hub for many rail services to and from Wales.
Elan Fest

Address

Elan Valley Visitor Centre, Elan Valley, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5HP

Telephone
01597 810880

elanbookings@dwrcymru.com

Rhayader

Dates

From:

12 Sept 2026to13 Sept 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00

A dam good weekend of family fun at Elan Fest.
Join us for a weekend of activities celebratory everything that is wonderful about the Elan Valley and mid-Wales
Newtown Railway Station

Address

Old Kerry Rd, Newtown, Powys, SY16 1BP

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Newtown

Newtown/Y Drenewydd railway station is on the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth.
Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon

Address

Lake Vyrnwy, Llanwddyn, Powys, SY10 0LT

Telephone
07595 031 333

hello@adrenalinesportingevents.co.uk

Llanwddyn

Dates

From:
13 Sept 2026

Take on this scenic Half Marathon around Lake Vyrnwy, nestled at the foot of the Berwyn Mountains.
Y Lanfa | Powysland Museum & Library

Address

Y Lanfa Powysland Museum, The Canal Wharf, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 7AQ

Telephone
01938 55003

ylanfa@powys.gov.uk

Welshpool

The Powisland Museum is housed in a restored historic warehouse beside the Montgomery Canal with Welshpool Library on the ground floor and Powysland Museum upstairs. The museum depicts the archaeology and social history of Montgomeryshire.
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
Llanwrtyd Wells | Heritage Trail

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Llanwrtyd Wells

Many of the locations in Llanwrtyd Wells have an interesting history and walking the Heritage Trail is an excellent way of learning about the town and taking in the beautiful surroundings.
Festival Finale | Gŵyl Machynlleth Festival

Address

Y Tabernacl Auditorium, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AJ

Telephone
01654 703355

info@moma.machynlleth.org.uk

Machynlleth

Dates

From:
29 Aug 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30

For the final concert of the Festival, we are delighted to welcome Aberystwyth choir, Côr ABC, with well-known soloists Jessica Robinson and Robyn Lyn Evans.
Llyn Brianne Reservoir & Dam

Address

Rhandirmwyn, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0PG

Llandovery

Llyn Brianne is a spectacular reservoir at almost 300m (990ft) above sea level. It holds over 64million cubic metres of water contained by a 91m (300ft) stone-built dam and is the largest of its kind in Europe.
Dolgoch Falls

Address

Bryncrug, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9UW

Tywyn

The Dolgoch Falls are a series of three waterfalls near Tywyn in Southern Snowdonia. Access is by woodland walk signposted from the nearby Tal-y-llyn Railway- Dolgoch Station
Bucknell Railway Station

Address

Weston Rd, Bucknell, Shropshire, SY7 0AD

Telephone
0800 464 0000

feedback@traveline.cymru

Bucknell

Bucknell railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Ceredigion Coast Path | Aberporth-Llangrannog

Address

Aberporth - Llangrannog, Aberporth, Ceredigion, SA43 2BU

Telephone
01545 572105

countryside@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberporth

2nd section of the Ceredigion Coastal Path
Total distance 18.7km 11.7 miles
Cardigan to Gwbert 5.6km (3.5 miles), grade/easy
Gwbert to Mwnt 5.8km (3.6 miles), grade/easy
Mwnt to Aberporth 8km (5 miles), grade/moderate