Top adventures in Wales

Dreaming of adventure as you look out of the office window? Think jaw-dropping seascapes, soaring castle turrets and mysterious caves…enjoy new experiences in awesome settings around Wales.

Children climbing at the top of a tree with ropes and harnesses

Bodnant Garden, Conwy 

When was the last time you climbed a tree? Where better to relive the experience, or try it for the first time, than at this world famous garden where there are some real whoppers. You’ll get expert help from the Big Tree Climbing Company over August Bank Holiday weekend.

Scale new heights
Vista of wooded hillside with rhododendrons flowering, and Bodnant Hall in the distance

Bodnant Garden, Conwy 

This hillside trail through newly opened Furnace Wood and Meadow is a challenge that will take you to new heights and reward you with panoramic new vistas. In summer you can walk through Furnace Meadow as mown paths provide walkways through grasses and wildflowers buzzing with bees and butterflies. This is a species-rich grassland now being managed for wildlife.

A bird's eye view
Four members of the Chirk Castle garrison in medieval costume

Chirk Castle, Wrexham 

Journey back 700 years and discover what life was like at Mortimer’s Fortress. Train as a soldier and experience medieval sights and sounds including craft demonstrations, archery, combat, armour, and more, provided by the Marcher Freemen during August.

Life in a medieval castle
Darwin's rocks at Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia, Wales

Cwm Idwal walk, Gwynedd 

It's a climb, but this 3 hour walk takes you into a normally inaccessible upland environment carved during the ice age. The glacial lake site, the oldest National Nature Reserve in Wales, is world famous for its rock formations and its rare and fragile plant life.

Enter an ice age landscape
Family enjoy a day at Dolaucothi

Dolaucothi Gold Mines, Carmarthenshire 

Grab your hard hat and head underground for a tour of the caves, in the footsteps of miners from the Roman to Victorian times. You can even go panning for gold. There are acres of estate brimming with wildlife to explore above ground too.

Tread the miners' tracks
A family sitting within the gardens

Dyffryn Gardens, Cardiff 

Enjoy a truly laid-back adventure in the gardens and make the most of the summer evenings with family and friends. Bring a bottle of bubbly and a picnic and enjoy your dinner al fresco, while enjoying musical performances on the south terrace.

Music with your picnic?
Women in theatre audience for outdoor summer event

Erddig, Wrexham 

Stay up late and enjoy open air theatre in the rose garden this summer. Chapterhouse Theatre Company will be performing Wuthering Heights, Railway Children and Peter Pan – classic tales of romance and adventure to charm all ages and take you back to childhood.

Sit back and enjoy classic tales of adventure
A family in a summer meadow using a geocache device

Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion 

Pith helmets are so over. Be a 21st century explorer – try geocaching and discover acres of wildlife among the meadows and woods of this SSSI. The estate is home to a Georgian villa and traditional working farm where you can try your hands at some bygone crafts and skills.

A taste of hi-tech exploration
Kayaking at Aberdaron beach, Llyn Peninsula

Porth y Swnt, Llyn Peninsula 

Between May and September you can turn up and have a go at kayaking at beautiful Aberdaron beach, where there will be sessions provided by experts from local outdoor activity providers Llŷn Adventures. The breath-taking coastline is an adventure in itself.

Dip a toe into kayaking
Dolffiniaid ym Mhenrhyn Llŷn

Marloes Sands and Mere, Pembrokeshire 

If it's marine life you're after this is the place to come - for walking, watersports or wildlife spotting. The coast surrounding the peninsula is a Marine Conservation Zone and you’ll see all kinds of creatures in the water, on the shoreline and in the skies.

All marine life is here
Common spotted orchid in meadow grass

Southwood Estate, Pembrokeshire 

Be part of nature conservation in action. Help the staff and volunteers at Southwood Estate with their summer survey of the flower-rich fields. Find out how we look after this special habitat and brush up on your plant identification skills. You can enjoy a camp-out on the estate too.

Make meadow history
Mum and child playing tennis on a lawn

Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd 

Let the Wimbledon spirit inspire you. Take part in tennis taster sessions on the castle lawn this summer holidays, where there will be local coaches on hand to help you polish up your moves. We’ll provide the rackets and balls and serve up the strawberries and cream too.

Anyone for tennis?
First Mounting of the Welsh Guards. Soldiers stand in formation.

Powis Castle, Welshpool 

Get a gritty glimpse inside the drama of the First World War. The castle cellars have been transformed into a Somme battle trench and officer’s dugout, telling the story of Percy Clive, 4th Earl of Powis’ eldest son, who died during the conflict.

Tragic battle tale retold
Jazz trumpeter playing with band under a gazzebo

Tredegar House, Newport 

This magnificent 17th-century house has seen 500 years of history. Step back to the 1930s for a house party, with dancing, cocktails and breezy afternoons in the garden. Come as you are, or put on your glad-rags and strut your stuff in the 90 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland.

Jazzy summer evenings