See our activities/adventures and rainy-day pages too.
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There are so many activities and things to do for children in our area, so we’ve possibly missed some out. Please let us know of any new gems you find in the area and we’ll add them to the list.
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I’m afraid we haven’t had time to visit all the places listed, so rather than being our personal recommendations they are suggestions only. We would love your feedback if you do visit any of them.
Aberystwyth Funicular, take the train station as your starting point, walk straight ahead for about a quarter of a mile, and when you get to the promenade look to your right and there they are
http://www.aberystwythcliffrailway.co.uk/
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Bwlch Nant ar Arian Forest Visitor Centre (and red kite feeding centre), Ponterwyd, SY23 3AB, an hour away.
This is a fantastic place with different walking/mountain biking/running/animal puzzle trails (including the Barcud accessible trail), mountain bike skills park, café, gift shop, 2 play areas for different ages, discovery backpacks to borrow, stupendous views and red kite feeding at 2pm or 3pm (check which before you go). We thought we'd see maybe 20/30 kites being fed, but there were well over a hundred and it was amazing - all for £3, all day, parking (£1.50 for 2 hours) - it's an honesty system but who wouldn't pay such a small amount for this great place?
Also close by are Devil's Bridge Waterfalls, The Magic of Life Butterfly House and Silver Mountain
Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park, Gwbert-on-Sea, Cardigan, SA43 1PR
http://www.cardiganisland.com/
Farm, adventure playground, visitor centre with restaurant and indoor play area. Overlooking the beautiful nature reserve of Cardigan Island
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Castell Henllys Iron Age Village, Meline (near Crymych), Pembrokeshire, SA41 3UR
http://www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/default.asp?PID=261
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Dinosaur Park, Great Wedlock, Gumfreston, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, SA70 8RB
http://www.thedinosaurpark.co.uk/
Includes an indoor & outdoor playground & various rides & activities
Dolaucothi Gold Mines (National Trust), Pumsaint, Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire, SA19 8US
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dolaucothi-gold-mines
Guided tours take you back to experience the conditions underground in the Roman and Victorian workings, the 1930's Mine Yard contains buildings and mining machinery, dating from that time and have a go at gold panning. 49 minutes away
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Dyfed Horse Riding Centre, 26 mins away, Bridell, Cardigan SA43 3DG, Tel: 01239 612594
https://www.facebook.com/pg/dyfedridingcentre/about/?ref=page_internal
Folly Farm Adventure Farm & Park, Begelly, Kilgetty, SA68 0XA
Includes a fairground, zoo, petting farm, & indoor & outdoor play
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Knight-Fox Wild About Learning Bush Craft http://www.knight-foxwildaboutlearning.co.uk/
Various bush craft and forest learning events throughout the year at different venues – see above webpage for details
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Llanerchaeron (National Trust), Ciliau Aeron, near Aberaeron, SA48 8DG
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/llanerchaeron
Georgian Villa set in the wooded Aeron Valley. Includes walled kitchen gardens, pleasure grounds, ornamental lake, parkland, walks, and a working farm. Usually has various activities for children during the holidays and a quiz for children to complete as they explore the house and grounds
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National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, near Newcastle Emlyn, Llandysul, SA44 5UP (we found that it was better to follow our Google Satnav rather than the brown signs as it was quicker)
Not to be rude, but this doesn’t sound hugely interesting, but Trip Advisor reviews are very positive. Entry is free and there are tours, live demonstrations, hands on activities for children, a mini quiz to complete as you explore the mill and an increased programme of family activities during each school holiday. There is also a gift shop and café
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New Quay Honey Farm, Cross Inn, New Quay, SA44 6NN
http://www.thehoneyfarm.co.uk/
Beside the actual Beekeeping, they have a visitor centre, with a shop, tearoom and a live 'Bees behind Glass' exhibition. Adults £3.75 / Family ticket £9.80 / Children £2.50
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Oakwood Theme Park, Canaston Bridge, Narberth SA67 8DE
https://www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk/
Oakwood is the perfect family day-trip with something for everyone to enjoy. They have two extra-special themed attractions for younger children, with themed zones and a number of child-friendly rollercoasters and fairground rides. There are very mixed views on Trip Advisor since it was recently taken over by a Spanish company. We went in Sept 2018 with our boys who were 6 and 7 at the time and we all had a great time. We used Tesco vouchers and took a packed lunch which made it good value.
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Pembroke Castle, SA71 4LA 1hr 13 away
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Pembrokeshire Wake Park, Cott Lane, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire, SA67 8AB https://www.pembrokeshirewakepark.co.uk/
Wake boarding & aqua park just over an hour away
Sculpture Heaven & Tea Room, SA44 5RN
http://www.sculptureheaven.co.uk/
Charming gem of a place, just down the lane from us, with lovely grounds and Terry’s sculptures dotted all around. Free entry to the gardens, gallery, workshop and tea room with Rose’s amazing homemade cakes and cordials and fair-trade tea and coffee with all profits donated to the Halo Trust, a UK Charity which clears landmines in war torn countries so that rural people can return to their fields and villages safely. Open Wed & Thurs only
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The Bug Farm, St Davids SA62 6BX 1hr 13 away
Indoor/outdoor bug experience which extends to, some, of the food in the café! We visited in February 2019, not the best month to go, and though we had a good time we thought it a little expensive. We do love what they're trying to do and their environmentally friendly ethos. The up-close sessions were well worth doing.
St Davids city, the smallest city in the UK, and its wonderful cathedral, Whitesands Bay and The Blue Lagoon, are also lovely places to visit.
The Silver Mountain Experience, LLywernog, Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth, SY23 3AB
http://www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk/
An hour away – Llywernog silver-lead mine, guided tours, live action shows (fantasy themed), gold panning, water play etc.
Welsh Wildlife Centre and Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, SA43 2TB Tel: 01239 621600
https://www.welshwildlife.org/visitor-centres/the-welsh-wildlife-centre/
Lovely nature reserve with nature trails, wild water buffalo, adventure play park, bird hides and a great little gift shop and café. Their adventure backpacks provide a variety of fun filled activities including their unique geocaching trail. They usually have different activities during school holidays (see their events page for what’s on). Free entry aside from £3 for all day parking
After visiting the Wildlife Centre you can visit Cilgerran Castle (National Trust), SA43 2SF afterwards as it’s close by https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cilgerran-castle
