Your West Wales Family Itinerary

Driveable, affordable, and accessible via ferry, the West of Wales can be your next weekend holiday destination.

Whether you’re looking for adventure, history, or culinary delights, the West of Wales offers an incredible variety of activities and sites for families on holiday. The region’s stunning coastline, abundance of castles, and special culture attract travelers year round. If you’re in need of a family-friendly driving holiday, consider planning your route along this itinerary.

West of Wales

Start Your Adventure in Newport

The tiny village of Newport in Pembrokeshire appears to be small, unassuming, and sleepy at first glance, but it’s actually one of the most desirable holiday destinations in all of Wales. A small estuary governs the landscape of the town with beaches and inlets vanishing and reappearing with the tides, giving the terrain a magical and mystical feel. There are plenty of pubs, restaurants, and shopping, as well as seasonal crabbing competitions and food fairs.

Once you park your car, there’s little reason to move it, as the Wales Coastal Path can take you from one side of town to the other while offering some of the loveliest scenic views in the region. Stay for a night or the entire weekend if you catch the Newport bug–you won’t be the first to fall in love with this charming and classy village!

A Thrilling Coasteering Afternoon

If you’re really looking to get an authentic Welsh experience, you have to do some coasteering. An activity that was invented in Pembroke, coasteering involves a combination of cliff jumping, rock climbing, body surfing, and cave exploring, which makes it the ultimate activity for watersport enthusiasts. All through West Wales you’ll find coasteering spots for newbies, professionals, families, and the faint of heart, allowing you to choose your level of difficulty and thrill.

Guides will teach you the basics and then you can go from there and explore the incredible scenery and aquatic life of the coastal environment. There are seven coasteering spots throughout Wales, so you can likely find a spot to try wherever you are on your coastal journey.

A Morning in Tenby

An absolute jewel of the Pembrokeshire coast, Tenby is a village that offers sites and activities for the whole family. Tenby is a medieval walled town on the western side of the Carmarthen Bay that boasts 4 kilometres of sandy beaches, seaside arcades, and sophisticated galleries. Families enjoy fishing, building sandcastles on the beach, and taking a boat to Caldey island, a tiny oasis owned by Cistern monks.

While you may get better weather and activity availability in the summer, there’s still plenty to do in the off-season such as visiting the 15th century St. Mary’s Church, taking a spooky ghost tour, or simply strolling along the stunning coastal walk.

A Family Day in Llanelli

From Tenby, head east for about an hour to the town of Llanelli, the largest town in Carmarthenshire. Once the tin plating capital of the world, Llanelli attracts tourists primarily for the Millennium Coastal Park. Where smoggy industrial factories used to sit now lies 12 miles of beautiful coastal land full of activities and adventure. Visitors can rent bicycles, ride horses, relax on the beach, or head down the ski slope, all while the kids can spend the afternoon at the giant adventure playground.

And when you’re done, fuel up at one of the many restaurants and pubs in the area–a perfect way to end an exciting and active family day!

Detour in the Towy Valley

Take a little break from the coast (not for long, don’t worry!) to follow the Towy River into Towy Valley, a wonderful mix of natural beauty and posh culture. As you drive along the river, you’ll find yourself in lush farmland and among hilltops decorated with castles and pastures. And that’s just the drive!

There’s plenty to do in this region of Carmarthenshire. If you’re a nature-lover, the National Botanic Garden offers a splendid collection of plant life and wonderful paths and greenhouses to explore. Castles big and small invite adventure and history, and then the charming village of Llandeilo, where you’ll find fashionistas and farmers alike, is full of wonderful places to shop, eat, and stay.

Head South to Gower

After you’ve gotten your fill of the Towy Valley, another hour in the car will take you down to Gower, which is a beautiful peninsula jutting out into the Bristol Channel. Gower’s beaches are a bit of a small hike off of the beaten path, but they’re well worth the trouble of getting there. Massive cliffs frame a stunning ocean view, among the most picturesque in all of Wales.

When you’re ready for lunch, head to Mumbles, an old fishing village that’s now the site of world-class restaurants and food festivals.

Swan Song Swansea

Last but certainly not least, visit Swansea, the nominal capital city of West Wales. There are plenty of activities for a day in Swansea, including water parks and massive tropical greenhouses. Swansea is also home to Swansea Market, the largest covered market in the whole country, which offers homemade gifts, snacks, drinks, and things that you didn’t ever know that you needed.

Before you leave, you have to stop and get a famous Welsh Italian ice cream. There’s truly nothing else like it in the world!

Book Your Travel to Wales Now

There’s so much that you can see and do in West Wales over the course of a bank holiday weekend. Taking your car allows you even more freedom to explore and find new places of your own. Let us get you and your car there safely, quickly, and without breaking the bank. Book your travel for your weekend holiday in Wales today to save even more!

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All provided imagery is Crown copyright and is reproduced with the permission of Visit Wales under delegated authority from the Controller of HMSO.

© Crown copyright (2018) Visit Wales

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