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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.

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Cwm Byddog Nature Reserve

Address

Clyro, Hay-On-Wye, HR3 5SL

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Hay-On-Wye

Ancient trees of this age are one of the rarest habitats in Europe and the UK has a large proportion. They support a range of rare and declining species of epiphytes.
Coed Nash | Nash Wood (NRW)

Address

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2YT

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Powys

Just outside the historic town of Presteigne, Nash Wood lies half in Wales and half in England. The circular walking trail goes to a viewpoint overlooking one of the many hillforts along this part of the border.
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,
Bugs and Butterflies Trail | Gregynog

Address

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

Telephone
01686 650224

enquiries@gregynog.org

Nr Newtown

Dates

Join us for some Summer Holiday fun here at Gregynog! The trail starts from the 20th July right until the 23rd August.
Brecon Farmers & Makers Market

Address

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

Telephone
07926 196714

maxencala@gmail.com

Brecon

Dates

From:
8 Aug 2026
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.
Llangynllo Railway Station

Address

Llangynllo, LD7 1SY

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Llangynllo railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea and is located 1.5 miles north of the village.
RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas Nature Reserve

Address

Ystradffin, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0PG

Telephone
02920 353000

gwenffrwd.dinas@rspb.org.uk

Llandovery

This delightful reserve is set in the heart of Mid Wales near Ystradffin, Rhandirmwyn. Dinas is a pleasant circular walk, part of the circuit is steep with difficult terrain. Strong footwear is advised.
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
Corris

Address

Corris, Gwynedd, SY20 9SS

Corris

Located 5 miles north of Machynlleth, Corris boasts a surprisingly rich vein of local attractions nearby together with thrilling mountain biking in the forest, excellent fishing at Llyn Myngul (Tal y Llyn Lake) and challenging walking on Cadair…
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…
Sustrans Route 81: Rhayader - Shrewsbury

Address

Rhayader Town Centre, Rhayader - Shrewsbury, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01179268893

Rhayader - Shrewsbury

This section of route 81 heads North East via Llanidloes, Newtown and Welshpool towards Shrewsbury and England.
Constitution Hill

Address

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2DN

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberystwyth

Constitution Hill rises dramatically 430 feet from the north end of Aberystwyth promenade. The views from the top are spectacular and on a clear day you can see Snowdon. Take the cliff railway to the summit or follow the coast path.
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)
Tal-y-bont Beach / Benar Beach

Address

Tal-y-bont, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL44 2HD

Telephone
01341 281617

info@barmouthstation.com

Barmouth

To the north of Barmouth near Tal-y-bont, Bennar's fine, sandy beach is backed by the occasional sand dune.
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.
Poppit Sands Beach

Address

Poppit Sands Beach, Cardigan, Pembrokeshire, SA43 3LN

Telephone
01437 776638

fishguardlibrary@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Cardigan

Poppit Sands is a Blue Flag Beach that has gently sloping sands and extensive dunes. Located on the Teifi Estuary near Cardigan, the Wales Coast Path is accessible from nearby St Dogmaels.
Llandovery Farmers Market

Address

Market Square, Llandovery, Dyfed, SA20 0AA

Telephone
07506 568075

llandoveryfarmersmarket@gmail.com

Llandovery

Dates

From:
1 Aug 2026
From:
5 Sept 2026

Llandovery Farmers Market is held from 10:00 to 14:00 on the first Saturday of each month
Llanidloes

Address

Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6EQ

information@llanidloes.com

Llanidloes

Llanidloes is a small historic market town in Mid Wales; it is the first town along the River Severn.
Wales Coast Path | South Wales Coast

Address

Chepstow - Cardiff Bay - Bridgend, CF33 4PT

Telephone
0300 065 3000

wcp@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Chepstow - Cardiff Bay - Bridgend

The South Wales Coast and Severn Estuary stretch is 176km/109-mile in length running from Chepstow to the Kenfig Dunes near Port Talbot.
Goytre Wharf & Canal Visitor Centre

Address

Goytre Wharf & Canal Visitor Centre, Llanover, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 9EW

Telephone
01873 880516

abclg@goytrewharf.com

Abergavenny

Goytre Wharf is a 200 year old industrial heritage site that includes a busy visitor centre and marina on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.