Discover the Story of Wales
Map
Itineraries
Cymraeg
A walk around Wales – from Celtic times to the present day, St Fagans is one of Europe's leading open-air museums and Wales's most popular heritage attraction. Discover how people lived and worked in Wales in the past by visiting one of the many original re-erected historic buildings including family homes, a farm, a school, a church and shops. Families can visit the three indoor galleries, get hands-on with history, explore the extensive grounds and play in Y Iard, the play area inspired by the Museum’s collections. For the older and braver amongst your group, there is a high ropes experience COEDLAN. Climb, swing, balance and wobble your way through the trees, and see the sights of St Fagans from above, before zipping back down to earth. There is a mini high ropes course underneath CoedLan for those not old enough for the full experience. Free admission to St Fagans, but charges apply for parking and CoedLan.
Located in the heart of Cardiff’s elegant civic centre, National Museum Cardiff houses Wales’s national art, natural history and geology collections. There is plenty to entertain everyone from Impressionist paintings to gigantic dinosaurs to space rocks! Take an amazing journey through The Evolution of Wales exhibition from the very beginnings of time to the present day. Find out how life evolved in Wales and which dinosaurs roamed the land. Families can explore the museum with self-led resources including art trails, take part in one of the many events on site or enjoy a hands-on exploration of museum objects such as insects, fossils and Bronze Age weapons in the CLORE centre. Admission free.
In fun, free and interactive galleries, discover how Cardiff was transformed from the small market town of the 1300s, to one of the world's biggest ports in the 1900s and now the cool, cosmopolitan capital we know today. The museum, in the beautiful and historic Old Library building, is rich in stories, objects, photographs and film telling the history of Cardiff through the eyes of those who created the city – its people. For families there are self-led and facilitated workshops and new ‘Hands on History’ object handling sessions as part of a visit to the museum.
Techniquest is a science and discovery centre located in Cardiff Bay. It has a range of fun science and technology activities and experiences including a planetarium, science theatre shows and toddler activities
Located in the International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay, CIWW offers an indoor surfing facility, family white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), air trail high ropes, river boarding, climbing wall, gorge walking sessions, lessons, courses and more.
The Welsh Coal Mining Experience at Rhondda Heritage Park is a tourist attraction which offers an insight into the life of the coal mining community that existed in the area until 1990. Visitors can experience the life of the coal miners on a guided tour through the Lewis Merthyr colliery, led by former colliery workers.
www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Tourism/RhonddaHeritagePark/Home
The Royal Mint Experience, in Llantrisant, gives visitors a unique insight into Britain’s oldest manufacturing organisation all about the coins in our pockets! Highlights include the guided factory tour, an interactive exhibition and an opportunity to strike your very own coin.
Big Pit is a real coal mine and one of Britain's leading mining museums. Go 300 feet underground with a real miner and see what life was like for the thousands of men who worked at the coal face. If going underground isn’t for you, there’s lots to see and do on the surface too. Enjoy a multi-media tour of a modern coal mine with a virtual miner in the Mining Galleries, visit exhibitions in the Pithead Baths and explore historic colliery buildings.
Part of Blaenavon World Heritage Site: www.visitblaenavon.co.uk
Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve lies between the Severn Estuary and the River Usk on the South Wales coast. Owned and managed by Natural Resources Wales, working in partnership with RSPB Cymru, it is best known for its range of wetland birds, from the beautifully marked bearded tit to the dainty little egret. In the autumn, goldfinch can be seen feeding, starlings roosting, and look out for Dunlin, Redshank or Oystercatchers probing the mud.
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/newport-wetlands/
Set in over 120 acres, Greenmeadow Community Farm has a wide range of pedigree and rare breed animals which you can meet up close. Daily activities include milking demonstrations and tractor and trailer rides and lots of additional activities during school holidays as well as seasonal events throughout the year
www.greenmeadowcommunityfarm.org
Choose a 15-minute trip around Cardiff Bay, or a 1hr Coastal Voyage out to sea taking you through the barrage locks, out into the Bristol Channel to see in the local coastline, scenery, wildlife or visit beautiful Flat Holm island.
Home to Phoenix Zipline and the Tower Coaster, Zip World Tower is the fourth Zip World site to open, and the first to be situated in south Wales. Nestled in the Rhigos mountain range, and boasting stunning panoramic views, this adventure hub is situated at the old Tower Colliery coal mining site and has given a new lease of life for this historic and widely-loved base.
The Gwili Railway is a Welsh heritage railway, starting from Abergwili Junction (near Carmarthen) travelling along 4.5 miles of the former Carmarthen to Aberystwyth line.
Heading up towards mid Wales, why not visit the Vale of Rheidol Railway that re-creates the Edwardian spirit of adventure. Since opening in 1902, millions have enjoyed the scenic trip through the ancient woodlands to Devil’s Bridge, home of the famous waterfalls, nestled in the magnificent Cambrian Mountains. Listen to the sound of a powerful narrow gauge steam locomotive working hard to climb 700ft (200m) during the 12 miles from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge. You can often see birds of prey such as Red Kite and Buzzards soaring high above the valley floor.
One of the Great Little Trains of Wales - www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk
Dan yr Ogof, the National Showcaves Centre for Wales, is a 17-kilometre long cave system near the Brecon Beacons National Park with an amazing array of stalagmites and stalagtites. Families can enjoy other areas, some undercover, allowing children to ‘race’ around the themed Jurassic Karting track, or explore the indoor adventure paradise of slides, rope climbs, tunnels and aerial walkways that is Barney's Adventure Playground. There’s also an Iron Age village and Victorian Farm.
At Folly Farm visit over 750 animals in the zoo and get up close to furry and feathery farmyard friends in the barn. Choose from 17 different rides in the vintage fairground or enjoy the eight adventure play areas. 120 acres of fun!
The LC is a major leisure centre located in the city centre of Swansea. The waterpark offers a wave machine, flumes and indoor surfing, plus shallow play areas and tots sessions for younger visitors. If the water’s not for you, there’s an interactive soft play area and a 30ft climbing wall too.
Take in the sights and sounds of more than 300 years of Welsh industry and innovation, using cutting-edge interactive technology that puts the past right at your fingertips. Housed in an original listed warehouse linked to an ultra-modern slate and glass building, discover the transport, materials and networks that were so important and the 'big things' that contributed so much to the industrial history of our nation. Soak up the history with a breathtaking mix of old and new in the city's rapidly developing maritime quarter. Free admission
Plantasia is a large public hothouse, located in Parc Tawe Retail Park, Swansea. Step through a giant tree into a real rainforest and spend the day exploring this vibrant and magical world. Crawl through the undergrowth, come face to face with crocodiles and dare to climb high in the canopy with the parrots! Grow your imaginations in this interactive, fully immersive tropical experience for all the family.
Located in the heart of Padarn Country Park at the foot of Mount Snowdon, the National Slate Museum is a living museum telling the story of the slate industry in Wales. Visit the original engineering workshops including the enormous waterwheel, wander through the quarrymen's houses and watch our craftsmen split slate in daily demonstrations. Admission Free.
Part of the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site: www.llechi.cymru/
Enjoy a 5-mile steam engine ride alongside beautiful Lake Padarn in the heart of Snowdonia. The trip takes you past the 13th century Dolbadarn Castle, across possibly Britain's shortest river and past Llanberis' twin lakes. From Llanberis, the train runs non-stop through the Padarn Country Park, joining the 1845 slate railway route along the shores of Lake Padarn to Penllyn, giving stunning views of Snowdon.
One of the Great Little trains of Wales: www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk/
Part of the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site: www.llechi.cymru/
Take the family up Snowdon Mountain Railway, a rack and pinion railway running from Llanberis village to the summit of Snowdon, at 3,560 ft the highest mountain in Wales.
Llechwedd’s Slate Mountain Adventure guides you on a truly unique experience through the historically significant quarry. Enjoy an exhilarating truck ride to the highest peaks of the 2,000 acre site to discover the amazing landscapes or take the famous Deep Mine tour which takes you on a journey 500 feet below ground on Europe’s steepest cable railway into the colossal slate caverns.
Part of the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site: www.llechi.cymru
Prepare for a truly unique and exhilarating experience on the fastest zip line in the world. Soar over Penrhyn Slate Quarry where you could travel at speeds of over 100mph while you take in the breathtaking views and feel the freedom of flight.
Part of the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site: www.llechi.cymru/
A forest of family fun and great outdoor adventure awaits at award-winning GreenWood Family Park, a gigantic playground nestled beneath the trees of Snowdonia’s National Park full of amusement, magic and mischief. Dotted amongst the woodland floor you’ll discover an enchanting world powered by people… make a splash on the UK’s only solar powered water ride, jump aboard the world’s first people-powered roller coaster and zoom down the longest sledge run in Wales. Run wild through ancient forest, meander round the Enchanted River Ride and find hidden treasure from the sleeping giant’s slumber in the new Giant Quest obstacle challenge.
Located in the heart of the beautiful Conwy Valley, Adventure Parc Snowdonia has 3 unique zones to enjoy. Learn to surf on a world-first inland surf lagoon, enjoy indoor caves and a ninja assault course and take part in e xhilarating outdoor adventures including zip line, climbing wall and pump track.
www.adventureparcsnowdonia.com
This is a unique aquarium with over 40 tanks displaying the best of British marine wildlife. Find fascinating creatures from around the coasts of the UK, such as octopii, lobsters, seahorses, conger eels and jellyfish!
Start your Snowdonia adventure on the Welsh Highland Railway at Caernarfon. Travel to Beddgelert, one of the prettiest villages in Snowdonia and visit the grave of Gelert, the faithful hound of legend. Then continue on to the historic harbour town of Porthmadog which has a lovely range of shops and cafes.
A visit to the Ffestiniog Railway is 'history on the move' and a whole lot more. The Ffestiniog Railway runs for 13.5 miles from Porthmadog to the historic slate town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The track was built between 1833 and 1836 (with a final section and the Moelwyn Tunnel near Tanygrisiau being completed in 1842). The track climbs and bends its way to a maximum height of 700 feet after starting at sea-level and provides spectacular views of Snowdonia.
One of the Great Little trains of Wales: www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk
Part of the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site: www.llechi.cymru/
If speed and adrenaline are what you are after, then a Rib-Ride is for you. Enjoy an exhilarating tour to Puffin Island along the Menai Strait, passing the colourful townhouses of Beaumaris or see spectacular views of Caernarfon Castle and LLanddwyn Island. Or maybe take a heart-pumping trip on Velocity - the world’s fastest passenger RIB!
