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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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Aberriw | Berriew

Address

Powys, SY21 8BQ

Telephone
01686 640478

Berriew (Welsh: Aberriw) is a village in Powys situated between Welshpool and Newtown. The river Rhiw near the confluence (Welsh: aber) with the River Severn flows through this picturesque village.
Victorian Train Day | Talyllyn Railway

Address

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

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Dates

From:
20 Sept 2026
From:
27 Sept 2026

Step back in time to the Era of Queen Victoria and travel through untouched and unparalleled Snowdonian scenery aboard The Victorian Train.
Aberporth | Dolwen & Dyffryn Beaches

Address

Aberporth, Ceredigion, SA43 2DD

tourism@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberporth

Aberporth, a pretty coastal village, shelters two beautiful sandy beaches named Dolwen and Dyffryn. Low tide comes complete with little rock pools on the sandy beach where children gather for hours of entertainment.
The Big Tribute Festival

Address

Cefn Melindwr, Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3LS

boxoffice@thebigtribute.co.uk

Aberystwyth

Dates

From:

28 Aug 2026to30 Aug 2026

The Big Tribute Festival is THE unmissable family event of the summer – be part of it in Aberystwyth this August!
The Royal Welsh Regimental Museum

Address

The Barracks, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7EB

Telephone
01874 613310

hello@royalwelshmuseum.wales

Brecon

The Museum tells the story of four of the British army’s most famous regiments. This history, beginning in 1689, is told through many objects including uniforms, medals, weapons and models.
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)
Cwm Rhaeadr Woodland | Walking Trails (NRW)

Address

Cwm Rhaeadr Woodland (NRW), Near Llandovery, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Llandovery

Six miles from Llandovery, this woodland and picnic area is in the peaceful Tywi valley. Glimpse the waterfall on the walking trail or explore the woodland on the accessible trail. Red-graded mountain bike trail for experienced riders.
Montgomery Canal Triathlon 2026

Address

Newtown - nr Crickheath Bridge, Newtown, Powys, SY16 2NH

Telephone
01938 553271

triathlon@themontgomerycanal.org.uk

Newtown

Dates

From:
12 Sept 2026

The Montgomery Canal Triathlon is one of the biggest events to take place on or near the canal. This special marathon is 27 - 28 miles of cycling, paddling and walking or running and will end at School House Bridge, Crickheath
Tywyn

Address

Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 0DF

Telephone
01654 767321

TIC.Aberdyfi@eryri-npa.gov.uk

Tywyn

Tywyn is a coastal town in Southern Snowdonia on the Mid Wales coast. The name Tywyn comes from the Welsh word for beach or sand dunes.
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.
Mid-Wales 4 Day Walking Festival - Green Events

Address

Various routes, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
07493 654048

Bob.g@green-events.co.uk

Llanwrtyd Wells

Dates

From:

16 Sept 2026to19 Sept 2026

Choice of waymarked routes each day, covering a different area of the surrounding mountains, forests & valleys, through the magnificent scenery of mid-Wales
Ticket to Christmas – Rheidol Railway

Address

Rheidol Railway, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1PG

Telephone
01970 625819

info@rheidolrailway.co.uk

Aberystwyth

Dates

From:

16 Dec 2026to23 Dec 2026

Experience the wonder of Christmas with a special festive trip on the Vale of Rheidol Railway. Climb aboard the much-loved Santa Special and enjoy a memorable steam train journey through the beautiful Welsh countryside, surrounded by the sights,…
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.
Fairbourne Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Fairbourne, Gwynedd, LL38 2AQ

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Fairbourne

Fairbourne railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
Powis Castle and Garden - (NT) Open Doors 2026

Address

Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8RF

Telephone
01938 551944

powiscastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

Welshpool

Dates

From:
12 Sept 2026

On Saturday 12 September, enjoy free entry to Powis Castle and Gardens.
ELDA + Support from Marcel Holdys

Address

Hafan Yr Afon, Back Lane, Newtown, Powys, SY162NH

Telephone
0753 5710 256

barry@hafanyrafon.com

Newtown

Dates

From:
15 Oct 2026

Hafan Yr Afon is delighted to welcome ELDA and Marcel Holdys to the experimental music series!
Mawddach Estuary

Address

Dolgellau - Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL40 2TA

Telephone
01766 770274

Dolgellau - Barmouth

The vast and sandy Mawddach estuary is one of Snowdonia National Park’s most remarkable areas. The area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation due to its salt marsh and lowland peat habitats.
Ystwyth Trail (Stage 2)

Address

Ystwyth Trail (Stage 2), Ystrad Meurig - Tregaron, SY25 6BJ

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ystrad Meurig - Tregaron

The Ystwyth Trail is a 20-mile(32.1km) cycle route and footpath linking Aberystwyth & Tregaron which follows part of the track of the old Great Western railway line
Bala Lake Railway | Halloween Trains

Address

Llyn Tegid | Bala Lake Railway, Llanuwchlyn Station, Llanuwchlyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7DD

Telephone
01678 540666

enquiries@bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Llanuwchlyn, Bala

Dates

From:

30 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026

Join us for a scary evening train to celebrate Halloween!
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
Bala & Penllyn | Walking Trails

Address

Bala & Penllyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7AD

Bala

The Bala & Penllyn area has a wide range of Walking Trails for everyone – including: all ability, children, heritage, scenic and mountain walks - and all through stunning mountain and lake scenery of southern Snowdonia.