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Family Vacations to Wales

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Wales – Family Vacation Guide

Even visitors from other parts of the UK are amazed by the Welsh coastline, sprawling national parks and magnificent towns and cities.

It is no exaggeration to say almost any type of adventure is captured here from traditional seaside fun to bouncing about on cave trampolines, navigating immense rivers on rafts, scaling mountains and experiencing an entire world of myth and legend as part of an incredible living heritage.

Wales calls itself epic and it’s impossible to disagree.

Why Go?

  • Variety of National Parks

    Three wildly different national parks: Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons and the Pembrokeshire Coast.

  • City on the water

    Cardiff Bay is Europe’s largest waterfront leisure development.

  • Explore the mountains

    Outdoor fun is incredibly accessible – Snowdon, the second highest mountain in the U.K., has a railway that goes right to the top.

  • Europe's longest zip line

    Welsh zip-lining beats all, with the world’s largest zip-zone and Europe’s longest line at Zip World in Snowdonia.

  • Outdoor activities

    Hundreds of outdoor activity centers and experiences provide safe, well-managed adventure for kids.

  • Variety of accommodations

    From chalets on a working hill farm to camping by the beach, seafront guesthouses to harbor-side 5-star luxury hotels, Wales has family-friendly and fun places to stay in every corner of the country.

  • Easily accessible

    Direct trains from London to Cardiff take two hours and the journey is under three hours by road, making Wales an easy extension to a London vacation.

Where to Go

Cardiff

White water rafting is just one of the strange and wonderful things you can get up to in the Welsh capital, Cardiff. When you’re not surfing and sailing, pick up a city bike and pedal round museums and castles, parks, gardens, stadiums and attractions like the Dr Who Experience and Techniquest.

  • Cardiff International White Water is rapids, waves and extreme water sport thrills in the heart of the city.
  • Fagan’s National History Museum is just one of many major collections to see for free in Cardiff.
  • Active Cardiff covers everything from trampolines to haunted city walks, tall ship cruises to the brilliant Barrage Coast Path.
  • Cycle the Taff Trail from Cardiff to the Brecon Beacons National Park.
  • A major conference venue and sporting capital, Cardiff has a huge choice of places to stay from luxury hotels overlooking Cardiff Bay to self-catering.
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Brecon Beacons

Brecon Beacons National Park is a Dark Skies Reserve, UNESCO World Heritage site and a Global Geo-park, all just 88km from the centre of Cardiff. You can easily visit for the day but staying and exploring this incredible natural playground for longer is almost irresistible.

  • The park covers 837km² of South and Mid-Wales and contains the legendary Black Mountain, Brecon Beacons range and Fforest Fawr geo-park.
  • Merthyr Tydfil, Hay-on-Wye, Abergavenny and Pontypool are just a few of the historic Welsh towns in this area.
  • Tour the park’s amazing caves and visit World Heritage Blaenavon and the Pit Museum.
  • Try abseiling, rock-climbing, rafting, canoeing, star-gazing and just about anything else you can do for fun – there are outdoor experts all over the park.
  • From heritage inns and guesthouses in local towns to Green Tourism eco-homes, bunkhouses, family hostels, campsites and luxury hotels, the Brecon Beacons is packed with places to stay.
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Snowdonia

In the far north of Wales, Snowdonia is the country’s largest national park. Conveniently divided into six different regions it lets you tailor any holiday experience you want. And you can mix it up to your heart’s content with everything from vast beaches to mighty castles, immense moors, mountains, lakes, charming towns and fable strewn villages.

  • Over 2130km² of some of the UK’s wildest landscape includes Snowdon, the highest mountain in England and Wales, Harlech Castle and the spectacular Cambrian Coast.
  • From Welsh slate to the Princes of Gwynedd, singing seals and enchanted hilltops, Snowdonia is end to end history, folk stories, fairy tales and mystery.
  • There are over 200 accredited outdoor activity and adventure centres across the park.
  • Seaside apartments, country B&Bs, holiday villages, family hotels, spas, lodges and even working farms are just a few of the accommodation options spread over impressive Snowdonia.
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Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park

This area of south west Wales is one of the main reasons the country can honestly claim to have some of the most beautiful beaches and coastline in Europe.

  • The UK’s only coastal National Park has over 40 beaches, many are Blue Flag, Green Coast or Seaside Award winners.
  • For such a well protected conservation area there’s always plenty to get up to on the Pembrokeshire Coast – it’s also surprisingly sunny in summer.
  • Living in the prettiest part of Wales is considered a privilege so the standard of holiday accommodation from farmhouse Bed & Breakfasts to clifftop hotels is exceptionally high.
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What to Do

  • Caernarfon Castle
    This northern giant is the mightiest of all Edward I’s 13th century Welsh castles.
  • Welsh Mountain Zoo, Snowdonia
    If the wilds of Snowdonia aren’t wild enough for kids, take them to the zoo.
  • Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
    Is it the most beautiful beach in Wales? Go and see for yourself.
  • Llechwed Slate Caverns, Gwynedd
    Explore the underworld of Snowdonia 500ft down in subterranean caverns.
  • Snowdon Mountain Railway
    Travel by train to the summit of the highest mountain in Wales – nothing comes close to the view from the top.
  • Techniquest, Cardiff
    160 interactive exhibits make this science park as much about fun as learning.
  • Anglesey Sea Zoo
    Not a day for the seaside? Visit the sea creatures in this huge aquarium instead.
  • Grea Orme Tranway, Llandudno
    Discover the fabulous beaches of Colwyn Bay and ride the famous tram to the top of Killen’s Hill – you can see over to Liverpool on a clear day.
  • Llandudno
    The best loved traditional seaside resort in Wales is on the south east coast and it’s splendid.
  • Folly Farm & Zoo, Kilgetty
    Theme park, zoo and all round great day out for kids of all ages.

Educational Value for Kids

  • From Harlech to Caernarfon, the castles of Wales are fascinating and entertaining.
  • Take young readers to Hay-on-Wye for Hay Festival.
  • Learn outdoor skills from caving to canoeing in Welsh National Parks.
  • Pembrokeshire Coast visitor centres are a mine of conservation information.
  • Visit Swansea for kids’ events at the Dylan Thomas Centre – and more.
  • Discover Wales’ industrial past at World Heritage Blaenavon
  • Uncover myth and legend all over ancient and mysterious Wales.

Getting Around

Wales has an excellent road network and driving is the best way to see as much as possible – including all the national parks. There are stunning scenic rail journeys and regular train and bus services on the coast and in the country. Several cities have bike schemes and all have good public transport.

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