Wales

Visit fairy-tale castles brimming with history, fine country houses and glorious gardens in Wales. From the rocky peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia) to wild unspoilt beaches, enjoy an unforgettable trip to a Celtic land steeped in myths and legends. Croeso i Gymru.

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A view of Penrhyn Castle with bluebells in the foreground in Gwynedd, Wales.

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Top places with bluebells in Wales

Enjoy beautiful carpets of blue and walk among the bluebells as they begin to unfold across the Welsh countryside, from grand castle estates to wild woodlands.

A family playing on the grass at Erddig, Wrexham, Wales: two little children on top of a parent

Family days out in Wales

With fun-filled activities and exciting events, there are plenty of great family days out to be had in Wales. Explore vast Welsh castles, tick off some ’50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities, or let off steam in natural play areas.

A young visitor running in the garden in front of Penrhyn Castle

Family days out this May half-term

Make lasting family memories together this May half term as you tackle a whole host of fun activities and exciting challenges.

Experience Helios at Dyffryn Gardens during May half term 2025

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Helios at Dyffryn Gardens

See Helios, a giant illuminated spherical sculpture of the sun by British artist Luke Jerram, on display at Dyffryn Gardens 23-26 May and 29 May-1 June 2025. Plan your visit here.

The wisteria blossoming in the sunshine of the Pompeiian Garden at Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan

Gardens and parks in Wales

Visit an amazing collection of gardens and parks in Wales. From walled gardens to arboretums and countryside estates, there’s plenty to explore.

A view of the front of the red mansion house

Houses and buildings in Wales

Explore magnificent Welsh mansions and their collections, from ancestral homes to buildings designed by renowned architects. Discover the history and tales from bygone days, in breath-taking settings across Wales.

View of Powis Castle, perched above its terraced gardens, Powys, Wales, in August.

Castles and forts in Wales

Step into a medieval fortress with dungeons at Chirk or visit the home of the Welsh princes at Powis Castle. Discover some of the finest and most famous castles in Wales.

View of a river running through a valley of mountains

Countryside and woodland in Wales

Explore dramatic and beautiful valleys, ancient woodlands and river walks or have an adventure through the wild Welsh mountains and visit some of the country’s most iconic peaks.

Oak posts protrude from the beach at Rhosili Bay, Gower, Wales. They are the remains of the carcass of the Helvetia shipwreck.

Coasts and beaches in Wales

Explore 157 miles of Welsh coastline protected by the National Trust, from long golden beaches to rugged clifftops.

Azaleas and Rhododendrons in flower in May at Bodnant Garden, North Wales

Place

Bodnant Garden

Spring unfolds with early magnolias on the terraces and golden daffodils in the Old Park meadow. April brings clouds of cherry blossom, scented viburnum, and vibrant rhododendrons. By late May, Himalayan blue poppies and the delicate Handkerchief tree steal the show before the grand finale—the golden Laburnum Arch, blooming for two magical weeks. Follow two accessible routes to take in the season’s breath-taking beauty!

Spring apple blossom with a lawn and the red stone medieval Powis Castle behind, Welshpool, Wales

Place

Powis Castle and Garden

Golden daffodils light up the paddock as wildflowers burst into colour. In the woodland, primroses bloom, while apple and magnolia trees fill the garden with delicate blossoms. Beneath them, grape hyacinths create a vibrant blue carpet. Wisteria climbs the Aviary, bluebells scent the air, and bold rhododendrons steal the show. As spring lingers, elegant roses bring a perfect final flourish.

Spring magnolia on the Great Lawn at Dyffryn Gardens with Dyffryn House in the background.

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Dyffryn Gardens

From towering magnolias to delicate iris, the gardens burst into colour with thousands of blooming bulbs. This year, even more daffodils and bluebells brighten the arboretum, while tulips, crocus, and iris bring the formal beds and kitchen garden to life. The twin Magnolia veitchii steal the show—our must-see moment, visible from across the garden.

Deer on grassland in the Dinefwr deer park, with the sun shining through bare branches of trees on top of a hillock to the left

Trail

‘Capability’ Brown walk at Dinefwr

Walk beside historic ancient trees on a circular route in a landscape designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, with the chance to spot the resident fallow deer.

Aberglaslyn Pass in Beddgelert, Snowdonia

Trail

Aberglaslyn, Bryn Du and Beddgelert walk

A circular walk through ancient woodland, across mountain scenery that also goes past Gelert's grave at Beddgelert and to Aberglaslyn gorge.

A view of the Meadow with stream and woodland at Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire

Trail

Colby Woodland Garden walk

Follow woodland paths, discover historical features, and enjoy plenty of wildlife on this family trail, with the option of a longer walk to Amroth beach.

A vibrant spring garden filled with red, pink, and white blossoms, surrounded by lush greenery and tall, leafless trees in the background.

Trail

A gentle walk at Plas Newydd

This easy trail around Plas Newydd's grounds offers fun for the whole family, including a treehouse and adventure playground, against the backdrop of Snowdonia and the Menai Strait.

View of Snowdonia with mountains in the background and a rocky landscape and wooden bridge in the mid ground

Walking in Wales

Explore wide open landscapes, gentler coastal strolls or energetic hikes for something a little more challenging. We've rounded up some of the best places to walk in Wales.

Visitors walking through woodland in winter at Llanerchaeron estate in Ceredigion, Wales

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Accessible walks in Wales

Find out about our multi-use trails at the places we care for across Wales that are pushchair-friendly and perfect for wheelchair users and those with mobility aids.

Children and dog at Bosherston Lake, Stackpole, Pembrokeshire

Dog-friendly places in Wales

From mountains and beaches, to gardens and parklands, find a dog walk in Wales that both you and your four-legged friend will love. Here’s your guide to some of the best dog-friendly places to visit in Wales.

A group of staff and volunteers sit cleaning the copper items in the castle collections in the Victorian Kitchens

Volunteering in Wales

Discover how you can make a difference by volunteering at one of the places we look after in Wales, from historic houses to mountains and coastlines.

Volunteer room guide speaking with visitors at Tredegar House, Wales

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Supporter groups in Wales

Join a supporter group in Wales to support local places through fundraising and volunteering, meet new people and enjoy special interest talks, trips and events.

News

The sun will shine on Cardiff: Dyffryn Gardens to host Helios, Luke Jerram’s newest giant sculpture

From Friday 23 May, Dyffryn Gardens near Cardiff will host Helios, a breath-taking seven-metre artwork of the sun by renowned artist, Luke Jerram.

News

National Register could prove fruitful for the future of Welsh apples

National Trust Cymru has announced the creation of a National Register of Welsh Apple Varieties that designates 29 varieties of Welsh apples to help safeguard Wales’ rich apple heritage.

Sara Jenkins and Ioan Jones, winners of Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker, on their farm in Eryri

News

Our Dream Farm winners announced as new tenants of 600-acre Eryri National Trust farm

The new tenants of a National Trust Cymru farm in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia) have been announced after winning the second series of Channel 4’s National Trust: Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker.

Head Gardener Ned Lomax carrying plants into the new glass nursery at Bodnant Garden

News

New nursery acquisition at world-famous Bodnant Garden will help secure living collection for next 150 years

A vital new nursery space at National Trust Cymru’s Bodnant Garden in Conwy, North Wales, will help safeguard the world-famous garden’s living collection for generations to come.

The Commemorative Woodland at Erddig, featuring a pink bench in the foreground. In the background, a few people stroll along a pathway surrounded by greenery.

News

Covid-19 memorial woodland opens on National Trust Cymru’s Erddig estate

National Trust Cymru has opened one of Wales’ new commemorative woodlands in North Wales. Hafod y Bwch Commemorative Woodland, located on the Erddig estate in Wrexham, is a living memorial to those who lost their lives to Covid-19 and acts as a symbol of Wales’ resilience during the pandemic.

A state bed cover is laid out on display, with its intricate details visible. A property curator stands nearby, examining the bed cover closely.

News

Conservation of rare State Bed cover reveals a patchwork of hidden details and wartime 'make do and mend'

A rare cover from a 300-year-old bed has gone on public display at National Trust Cymru’s Erddig Hall and Garden in Wrexham following conservation and research which has revealed previously unknown details about its history, make-up and the wartime needlework that saved it from ruin.

Group of college students and staff at the Green Hwb, Gower College Swansea

Press release

Sycamore Gap saplings ‘Trees of Hope’ gifted to recipients in Wales

National Trust Cymru has announced the six locations in Wales who will receive ‘Trees of Hope’ Sycamore Gap saplings. The big reveal has been announced during National Tree Week (23 November to 1 December 2024).

The gilt room at Tredegar House richly decorated with gilded wood

Press release

Tredegar House and Dyffryn Gardens brought to life at 2024 National Eisteddfod as National Trust Cymru celebrates nature and history on the Maes

Visitors to this year’s National Eisteddfod in Rhondda Cynon Taf can get a taste of two of National Trust Cymru’s properties on their doorstep as they step into miniature versions of Tredegar House and Dyffryn Gardens this August.

Someone slicing into a Victoria sponge cake

Places to eat and shop in Wales

Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a hot drink or the perfect gift, you’ll find something at our cafés, tea-rooms and shops in Wales.

A family is sitting on a blanket and having a picnic at The Kymin, Monmouthshire. A child is reaching out to accept some food from another family member.

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Perfect picnic spots in Wales

Plan the perfect picnic in Wales and eat al fresco on a grand estate, a pretty beach, or a wooded wildlife haven, with views of the great Welsh outdoors.

The exterior of Gwernouau Cottage, Betws-Y-Coed, Gwynedd

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Holiday cottages in Wales

Cosy or characterful, coast or countryside, discover some of the best holiday cottages in Wales for a perfect break.

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Event

50 Peth i'w Gwneud - annibynol / 50 Things to do - self led

Stackpole Estate, near Pembroke, Pembrokeshire

Rhowch gynnig ar 50 peth i’w gwneud cyn eich bod yn 11 a ¾ wrth inni nesáu at dymor yr Hydref a’r Gaeaf. / Have a go at 50 things before you're 11 and 3/4 as the season moves into Autumn and winter.

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Trail in a Bag

Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool, Powys

Come and join us on a mindful trail that has been designed for people of all ages. Collect a bag from the Ticket Office and start your sensory visit. Collect, draw, spot and listen.

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Llwybr Tu Mewn a Thu Allan / Inside and Out Trail

Colby Woodland Garden, near Amroth, Pembrokeshire

Ymunwch â ni ar antur i ganfod darnau o’r paentiad o’n Gasebo yn yr Ardd Furiog / Join us on an adventure to discover pieces of the painting from our Gazebo in the Walled Garden.

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Blossom Watch Walk at Dyffryn Gardens

Dyffryn Gardens, St Nicholas, Vale of Glamorgan

Celebrate the coming of spring with this self-led exploration around all of Dyffryn's seasonal highlights

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Bag Cefn Archwilwyr Ifanc / Young Explorers Backpacks

Colby Woodland Garden, near Amroth, Pembrokeshire

Mae’r Bag Cefn hwn yn llawn gweithgareddau BENDIgoedwig / This Backpack is full of TREEmendous activities.

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Blossom at Dyffryn Gardens

Dyffryn Gardens, St Nicholas, Vale of Glamorgan

Our annual celebration of blossom, a moment to help people connect with the beauty and meaning of blossom through activities and the seasonal highlights found at Dyffryn Gardens.

Event

Indoor Trail

Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool, Powys

Come and join us on a mindful trail that has been designed for people of all ages. Collect a bag from the Ticket Office and start your sensory visit. Collect, draw, spot and listen.