Travelling With Kids? Here’s Where To Stay in Wales With Family

So, you’re planning a Welsh getaway? Travelling with the family (especially with little ones) can be stressful. It involves reading up on different destinations, making sure your accommodation is suitable for children, and creating itineraries – and that’s before you’ve even started packing. Now, while we can’t help you pack, our travel experts at Plum Guide have something even better – we’ve done all the research for you and put together this guide to where to stay in Wales with family. From outdoor activities to the best beaches and attractions, it’s all in there – all that’s left to do is pick your favourite destination.

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One of our favourite places in Wales is the beautiful island of Anglesey. It’s essentially one giant playground with something to excite guests of all ages (including the four-legged family members, too).

Anglesey is one of the best spots for a holiday by the sea, with a huge choice of sandy beaches wrapped around its 200 kilometres of coastline. The best family-friendly beaches include Benllech Beach, Borthwen Beach, Trearddur Bay and Lligwy Beach. All offer family-friendly activities like swimming in the calm waters, sunbathing, ball games, rock pooling, watersports and even wildlife watching on Puffin Island.

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If you have younger kids, perhaps walking the entire distance of the Anglesey Coastal Path isn’t such a good idea – it takes around twelve days to complete, after all. Instead, you can take on shorter sections of it that lead past picturesque beaches, woodland and sand dunes. There’s also the Dingle Nature Reserve, Holyhead Breakwater Country Park and the Newborough Forest for more outdoor fun. Whether you stay in bustling seaside towns like Beaumaris and Rhosneigr, or tranquil villages such as Llangefni, plenty of places make for the ideal base for your Anglesey adventure.

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Another contender for the best seaside holiday is Pembrokeshire. Its coastline, which makes up part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, is 300 kilometres of glorious scenery. Expect wide stretches of golden sands, dramatic cliffs and pretty villages – all of which make great options if you're looking for where to stay in Wales with family.

There are many ways for families to get out and about in Pembrokeshire, from cycling along parts of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to amping up the adrenaline with a coasteering adventure. One of the best family days out in Pembrokeshire is a boat trip to Skomer Island to see puffins, owls, seals and porpoises. Back on dry land, head to the town of Pembroke to explore Pembroke Castle and Carew Castle, or enjoy a day out at Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo – home to vintage fairgrounds, themed adventure play, and over 750 different animals.

With its sandy beaches, fantastic restaurants and easy access to the rest of the area, Tenby is an excellent spot to base yourself in Pembrokeshire. Saundersfoot, Fishguard, and the small yet charming Newport Sands are also great choices.

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Snowdonia National Park is one of our top picks for where to stay in Wales with the family. This national park attracts visitors far and wide, all looking to explore its rugged mountains, glittering glacial lakes, rural countryside and enchanted woodlands.

One of the most popular things to do is summit Mount Snowdon (called Yr Wyddfa in Welsh) which towers over the land at 1,085 metres. There are several routes of varying difficulty, but if you have young kids in tow, the Snowdon Mountain Railway is perfect. Hop aboard and get whisked away to the top of the mountain.

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Speaking of trains, one of the best family activities is to embark on a journey on board the Ffestiniog Railway. Setting off from the coastal town of Porthmadog, the train winds through epic landscapes all the way to Blaenau Ffestiniog, a historic slate-quarrying town. From here, head deep underground on a tour of the Llechwedd Slate Caverns to see what it would’ve been like to live as a miner in the 19th century.

Whether you choose to visit seaside towns like Aberdyfi and Conwy or surround yourself with greenery in places like Dolgellau, Beddgelert, Betws-y-Coed and Bala, you won’t be short of amazing family-friendly places to stay within the park.

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Ceredigion is the perfect blend of coast and countryside. This county in west Wales has outdoor adventures written all over it, with some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Walk along windswept coastal paths and let the kids run around on the large expanses of sand. There is plenty of wildlife to be seen out here, from bottlenose dolphins, and Atlantic grey seals to a wealth of marine birds like razorbills and kittiwakes – the best way to see them is on a boat tour of Cardigan Bay.

Inland, the landscapes change to lush river valleys and wild pastures. It’s a walker’s paradise, with numerous trails running through the moorlands and forests. You can even stop by the banks of the rivers to fish for trout and salmon, a fun family activity that’s sure to get the kids off their screens. While walking and cycling are great ways of getting to know your surroundings, nothing beats a vintage steam train. Operating between Aberystwyth and Devil’s Bridge, the Vale of Rheidol Railway meanders through Ceredigion’s finest landscapes, including wide open fields and magical woodlands.

The best part is that there are many fantastic places to stay in here. Market towns like Lampeter and Tregaron offer quaint restaurants and village life, while coastal escapes like Aberaeron and Cardigan promise plenty of beach time. Aberystwyth, also known as West Wales’ cultural capital, is not to be missed either, with plenty to keep the kids entertained.

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We couldn't leave the county's buzzing capital on this list of where to stay in Wales with family. Cardiff is a brilliant city bursting at the seams with exciting attractions. Start your visit at Cardiff Castle, a grand fortress at the heart of the city. Kids can pretend to be princes and princesses as they explore the extravagant interiors and run around the well-manicured grounds. Need to burn off some more energy? Head to Bute Park or follow the Taff Trail along the river.

What we love about Cardiff is that there are many indoor activities to enjoy, so the sightseeing can continue even when the weather is bad. There's fun for the whole family in Techniquest (where you can dive headfirst into a world of science), the Wales Millenium Centre (offering theatre, art and music shows), and The Museum of Cardiff (which is free to enter).

Cardiff's vibrant neighbourhoods each offer something different. The city centre has easy access to all the attractions or opt for a stay along the waterfront in Cardiff Bay. Pontcanna has lovely green spaces and family-friendly cafes, too.

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Powys is the largest county in Wales, a land of wide-open skies, rolling green hills and craggy mountains. It’s home to the Brecon Beacons National Park, an excellent place to get active. There is an extensive network of trails for walkers, cyclists, mountain bikers and horse riders – you’ll find something for you whichever way you and your family prefer to get around.

After dark, grab some layers and wrap up warm for a spot of stargazing. The Brecon Beacons have been granted an International Dark Sky Reserve status, so you won’t want to miss the opportunity to marvel at the night sky. A few of the best places for stargazing include the Llangorse Lakes, Usk Reservoir and the Pontsticill Reservoir.

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But it’s not just nature that Powys has to offer. Its rich history and culture can be seen through its many Roman remains and mighty fortresses like Powis Castle, renowned for its gardens and lavish interiors. There are also family-friendly farms, falconries, and caverns and caves to explore. For something a bit more unusual, the Centre for Alternative Technology is a great day out – scavenger hunts, eco-adventure playgrounds and fun workshops will be a hit with little ones.

There are plenty of charming towns to use as a base. Two of our favourites include Brecon, with its market and annual jazz festival, as well as Hay-on-Wye, nicknamed the ‘town of books’ due to its large collection of bookshops. Other good options are Welshpool, Llanidloes and Machynlleth.

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Last but definitely not least, the Llŷn Peninsula practically screams family holidays. Deemed an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), ‘Snowdon’s Arm’ consists of over 400 kilometres of incredible coastline. In other words, it’s the best place for a family-friendly beach vacation.

What we love most is that there’s a beach for every kind of family member. The north is more rugged with wilder beaches, perfect for older, more adventurous families, whereas the south has more sheltered coves with calm waters, ideal for families with younger kids. A lot of them are Blue Flag awarded, so expect to find clean, safe beaches wherever you go.

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Naturally, the wealth of beaches makes watersports a top activity on the Llŷn Peninsula. Adrenaline-seekers can try out water-skiing, windsurfing and coasteering, but if you prefer something a little more relaxed, there’s always kayaking or paddle boarding instead.

If you’re after a larger town with child-friendly facilities, Abersoch and Pwllheli are both great options – you’ll find lovely sandy beaches and plenty of attractions. For a more peaceful base, villages such as Llithfaen, Porthdinllaen and Aberdaron are all idyllic spots to unwind.

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