Winter in Wales with Kids
Wales is a wild and wonderful world of warm people, moody skies and countless castles. Rugged mountains, beautiful coastlines and stories of knights and dragons make this an ideal place to travel with kids. Let their imaginations run wild and soak up all that Wales has to offer with a Welsh cake in hand.
After meeting Caroline in London for a birthday celebration with our daughters, the rest of my family joined us for a road trip to the southwest of the UK, where we were lucky enough to step foot in the country of Wales for the first time. Enchanted by the Welsh language that we were hopelessly unable to pronounce and awestruck at the incredible nature all around, it’s a place I can only hope to make it back to some day.
Here’s the info on our family trip to Wales.
Where to stay:
If you’re a nature lover like me, then aim for one of Wales’ incredible national parks. Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park was my priority, so we found an Airbnb that was within the southern border in the small town of Abergynolwyn, near Tywyn.
This was a perfect, cozy retreat for us, providing a break from city life and a real chance to connect with the quiet Welsh countryside. Our kids loved meeting and befriending the boy who lived next door and playing in the creek that ran beside the converted barn house. From this location, we could arrive at the coast or at a spectacular hiking trail within 10 minutes by car. The towns of Harlech, Aberdyfi and Tywyn were also close by for stores and restaurants.
If you want to stay in the country, I’d recommend starting by choosing what parts of nature you want to be close to and then browsing Airbnbs or other accommodations in that area. There were so many good choices. If you want to stay in a village, I’d suggest looking at Conwy, Criccieth or Betws-y-Coed, charming towns with interesting lodging options.
What to do:
While there are small cities in Wales (Cardiff, Swansea), I’d start by understanding that any great Wales trip will embrace small villages, beautiful nature and misty days (unless you’re supremely lucky with the weather). All of these elements are what make it so special, so with that in mind, here are some options for things to do in Wales that will thrill both adults and kids.
Visit a castle.
There are some 423 castles either still standing or in ruins within Wales. Forty-four are owned by Cadw (a preservation organization caring for Wales’ important historical monuments). Within a short drive around whatever area you’re staying in, you’re sure to stumble across one. Harlech Castle in the town of Harlech was a great morning activity for us.
The castle is impressively maintained and entry comes with a really engaging scavenger hunt throughout the castle for children, focused on knights and castle lore. For adults, you’ll have ample reading material about the castle’s long history, including the background of the Prince of Wales title and Wales’ relationship with England. At the end of the hunt, claim your prize and peruse the gift shop that abounds with interesting information on the history of Wales and the legends of King Arthur, which was really fun to talk about with the kids.
Tip: After visiting the castle, make your way through the town of Harlech to Harlech Beach, a wonderful spot for a picnic and throwing rocks into the ocean, a favorite of my kids no matter where they are in the world.
Go hiking!
There are incredible options all over the country, but I personally recommend Cader Idris, one of the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge summits that was close by to our Airbnb.
The trail is well maintained and achievable for kids while still being a challenge they will remember. The path takes you from the valley floor into a mountain world that feels straight out of a dream. Hike up to the alpine lake and feel like you’re on top of the world. This is Wales, so be aware that weather changes, rain comes and misty clouds are common towards the top of the mountain. This was the kind of weather we had the day we visited, but no matter. My husband and I looked at each other several times throughout the hike, struck by how much our kids loved the adventure, despite the water dripping from all of our faces.
I know sometimes hiking can seem like a challenge with kids, but I promise, the more you do it, the better they will get at it and the more excited they will be to tackle new challenges and really engage with the natural world. It’s worth it to push through complaining. Obviously, know your limits and travel with lots of snacks, water and proper shoes, but I have found that some of our most memorable moments as a family have come when we’re on a trail all together.
The Welsh Three Peaks also include Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) in Eryri National Park and Pen y Fan in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. I have not had the chance to take on either of these summits, but they would be top of my list on a return trip to Wales. If they are close to where you’re staying, I would take advantage!
Take a mine tour
Mining plays a massive role in the history of Wales. There are multiple options to explore this history in the form of both self-guided and guided tours. Because we were visiting in February, we were not able to find an option close to us that was open. If we went back in season, we would make this a priority. We considered King Arthur’s Labyrinth and Corris Mine Explorers in Corris. Both seemed to be geared towards family, so check it out if you’re there in season.
Explore the coast
There are endless options here, no matter the time of year of your visit. Even if the weather is grey, the beaches really impress. They are wild, rugged and completely captivating. The beaches in Aberdyfi, Harlech and Tywyn (where the sun peaked out briefly for an incredible sunset one evening) were all wins for us, but I feel sure that their magic is replicated all over.
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Tip: Wellies or some sort of waterproof shoe are important for visiting Wales. My family loves these Xtratuf for kids ankle boots in warmer wet weather and these Sorel Out’n’About boots in winter. The ground is wet and crossing to the beach isn’t always just a stroll on a boardwalk. A lot of these areas are undeveloped – come with proper shoes and don’t let footwear stop you.
Ride the Talyllyn Railway
Talyllyn is a steam engine train running through the hills of southern Snowdonia and is the basis for the children’s character Thomas the Tank Engine. Younger kids and even nostalgic older kids will enjoy taking a ride on this charming train. Enjoy the Snowdonia scenery from the train car. The train tracks passed just behind our Airbnb on the side of the mountain, so our kids loved listening for it each day. Check here for timetables and stops.
Tip: Check out the trail that leaves from Dolgoch Station and goes up on the mountainside. There are beautiful waterfalls to discover and, if you’re like us, you’ll have the place to yourselves. The scenery is lush and there are multiple places to stop and let the kids explore the creek. A great way to spend an hour or two.
Have lunch or dinner at Ty’n y Cornel Hotel & Restaurant for some traditional Welsh fare. Make sure the sticky toffee pudding is a part of your dessert order. So good! https://tynycornel.com
Make time for Welsh tea and treats
The Welsh make an incredible tea, as well as some incredible cakes to go along with them. This was an absolute favorite for our family, with the kids quickly falling into the tea time routine. Tradition holds that tea is served around 3 in the afternoon, so we made sure to build this into each day while in country.
Bara brith (a traditional fruit cake) and Welsh cakes (a small, dense pancake packed with currants and crusted with sugar) are both best served warm and topped with butter. You’ll see them in every bakery, café and market. Make sure to give them a try with a cup of Welsh tea and enjoy the break from the day. If you catch some of the same weather that we did, you’ll be glad for a chance to dry out for a bit!
Wander around a coastal village
Aberdyfi was a charming stop for us after a morning spent playing on the beach. Coast Deli and Dining was a delicious lunch spot offering both traditional and local dishes. On our next visit, I’d put Conwy and Tenby at the top of my list. Both seem completely picturesque, but time didn’t allow for them this time around. Take some chances by stopping into the villages closest to you – you may just discover a gem that the rest of us would love to hear about.
Have you been to Wales? What were your favorite experiences in the country? Let me know what I need to do on my next trip. I’ll be here hoping that if you haven’t already, you get the chance to wander down your own path in this lovely gem of a country. Wales will really stick with you, so consider making it your next family adventure.
Looking for other family adventures? Check out some of our other posts…
