Family days out in Wales

A mother and child and Powis Castle and Garden, Powys, Wales

Are you ready for your May half-term adventure? With Welsh castles to explore, parks and woodlands with wildlife to spot and hours of fun in wild play areas ticking off '50 things to do before you’re 11¾', May half-term the perfect to get outdoors as a family.

North Wales
Make nature discoveries on school holiday adventures

Chirk Castle, Wrexham  

Run off steam in two play areas at Home Farm or pick from a variety of family-friendly walks through the woodlands to tick off some ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. From 2-5 June, step back in time to the 1950's to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a family photo under the Jubilee Arbour and Punch and Judy Shows in the garden.

Visitors taking a closer look at the spring planting in the Victorian Parterre at Erddig, Wrexham, Wales

Erddig, Wrexham 

Enjoy hours of fun in the Wolf’s Den, Erddig’s natural play area. Spot spring lambs playing in the fields, look out for ducklings and Coot chicks around the garden Fishpond and Swans on the lake in French Meadow. Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with live music and Punch and Judy shows in the garden, 2-5 June.

Children in the parkland at Penrhyn Castle

Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor  

From Saturday 28 May to Sunday 5 June, follow the sensory trail or pick up a spotter sheet to learn about the wildlife supported by meadows. Learn about the value of wildlife, spot some honeybees, swoop like swallows and discover more about meadows.

Visitors looking at the Rex Whistler mural in the Dining Room at Plas Newydd

Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey 

Be inspired by stories and history at Plas Newydd this May half term. In the house, discover the hidden secrets in Rex Whistler’s famous 17.5-meter-long mural. Talks take place on Thursday and Friday mornings, 11am-11.30am and are suitable for all ages. Booking essential.

Mid Wales
Children running at Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion

Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion 

Find the messy play area by the old stable block and mix imagination with a sprinkle of sand and a dash of water to cook up mud pies in the children's outdoor kitchen. Make your visit extra special by helping your child ride a bike. Borrow a balance bike and practice cycling skills on the front lawn (in partnership with British Cycling).

A mother and daughter sit bythe fountain at Powis Castle and Garden, NAtional Trust, Wales

Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool 

Follow the self-led Crown Trail to discover five nature-inspired crowns hidden in the castle paintings and plasterwork and secret places in the garden. From 2-5 June, Powis Castle will be lit up to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. See the Medieval castle shining bright over Welshpool.

South Wales
Two children sitting on a hillside at Dinefwr Park looking at the castle

Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire 

Discover the interesting items left behind and found beneath the floorboards in the ‘Archaeology of Home’ exhibition. Pick up an activity sheet and follow the family trail through the house to uncover some of the objects. Enjoy ‘Pimms on The Parterre’, which will be royally decorated for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The log stack at Dyffryn Gardens

Dyffryn, Cardiff 

Head to the Log Stack play area to discover the top five nature activities to do at Dyffryn Gardens with ‘50 Things to do before you’re 11 ¾’. On Monday 30 May and Thursday 2 June, 11am-12pm, join children’s book author Lucy Owen to hear her read ‘Flower Girl’ in Dyffryn's theatre garden. The interactive reading will include book signings.

Children make crafts at Tredegar House

Tredegar House, Newport 

To celebrate small but mighty pollinators, May half term kicks off with crafts in The Orangery on Saturday, 28 May and Sunday, 29 May, to create paper pollinators or decorate your own plant pot to plant seeds in to take home on Monday 30 May and Friday 3 June. Have a go at making your own Jubilee-themed crafts (Free but donations towards craft materials welcome).