The coast of Wales is an ideal place for
families, with a huge range of activities, amusements, castles,
nature trails and wildlife reserves, country parks and places to
picnic, boat trips to see dolphins and seals, funfairs and
adventure centres all on or close to the Wales Coast Path.
North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary
Along the North Wales coast,
resorts host many family activities: traditional Punch & Judy
in Llandudno; tramways and
cable cars on the Great Orme; the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn
Bay; Harlequin Puppet Theatre in Rhos-on-Sea; and Conwy
Castle, a World Heritage Site.
Isle of Anglesey
Plas Newydd,
run by the National Trust, has a programme of family friendly
events which makes this a fantastic destination to seek out on
family holidays. Or you could try out the orienteering trail at
Breakwater Country
Park, Holyhead.
Menai, Llŷn & Meirionnydd
Explore the Mediterranean-style village of Portmeirion in
Gwynedd which was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis
between 1925 and 1975. In the 1960s it was the setting for the cult
television show “The Prisoner”, starring Patrick McGoohan.
Ceredigion
Cardigan Bay has
the UK’s largest resident population of bottle nosed dolphins, and
you can visit them on organised wildlife
boat trips. Also, try crabbing along the harbourside in
Aberaeron.
Pembrokeshire
A year round family friendly activity programme is offered by
the Pembrokeshire
Coast National Park Authority. Crabbing and evening bat walks
are among the most popular activities.
Carmarthenshire
Cycle or walk (and even canoe in the summer) around the wetlands
centre near Llanelli (WWT National Wetland
Centre Wales). Try and spot some of the 600 species of birds
you can find here – there are flamingos and it is even home to a
water vole city.
Gower & Swansea Bay
Join in some high energy fun at the LC, Swansea’s exciting
leisure centre and water park. Or get high tech and hands on at the
National Waterfront Museum. Or perhaps, squeeze in a visit to
Plantasia, an exotic indoor tropical haven with insects, reptiles,
fish and monkeys, and an exciting events programme. Swansea
attractions.
South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary
Coney Beach Funfair is a family attraction at Porthcawl,
contrasted with wildlife walks at Kenfig Nature Reserve, and paddle
steamer trips from Porthcawl to Ilfracombe aboard the Waverley.
Bridgend attractions.
Techniquest science centre in Cardiff Bay has more than 130
interactive exhibits for ages ranging from 8 to 80! On the Cardiff
Bay Barrage, there is a 1100 sq metre concrete skate plaza.
Cardiff attractions.
Step back to the Middle Ages with medieval re-enactments at
Chepstow
Castle, with period costumes, tours of historic buildings, and
demonstrations by the Black Rock Lave Net
Fishermen, who use traditional Welsh methods of catching salmon
in the Severn Estuary.