St Davids
Oriel y Parc · Photo: Derek Harper
Britain's smallest city is easy to do on foot: start at the National Park's gallery and visitor centre, then explore the roofless bishop's palace beside the cathedral. After lunch, head just out of town to a farm dedicated to insects and creepy-crawlies.
Art & crafts · 10:00–10:45 (45m)
Free gallery and visitor centre for a gentle start.
The National Park's discovery centre and gallery on the edge of St Davids, showing works from the National Museum Wales collection alongside visitor information. Entry to the centre is free and it runs family activities through the year.
Photo: Derek Harper
Historic House · 11:00–12:15 (1h15m)
Paid Cadw site; arches and undercrofts to explore.
The roofless but grand ruins of the medieval bishops' palace, run by Cadw, sit beside St Davids Cathedral. Children can explore vaulted undercrofts and stairways, and the lawns have picnic tables.
Photo: Philip Pankhurst
Food stop · 12:35–13:15 (40m)
Lunch back at the visitor centre.
The café inside Oriel y Parc serving brunch and drinks, a convenient stop on the edge of St Davids.
Photo: pembrokeshirecoast.wales
Food stop · 13:30–15:30 (2h)
Bugs, a farm trail and a chance to meet insects up close.
Photo: M J Roscoe
WalesConwy
Climb the towers of Conwy's medieval castle and look down on the harbour, then step into an Elizabethan townhouse a few streets away. After lunch, drive to the hillside zoo above Colwyn Bay for sea lions, big cats and views over the coast.
Conwy Castle → Plas Mawr → Welsh Mountain Zoo
WalesStable Cottage, Llanfendigaid Estate, Rhoslefain (near Tywyn)
A weekend based at a cottage on the Llanfendigaid Estate, between Tywyn and Fairbourne, with a heated indoor pool to come back to. Break the drive with a boat ride into King Arthur's Labyrinth and a beach stop at Aberdyfi, then spend Sunday on the Talyllyn steam railway and Tywyn's beach.
King Arthur's Labyrinth → Corris Café, Corris Craft Centre → Stable Cottage, Llanfendigaid Estate → Talyllyn Railway + 1 more
WalesCardiff city centre
Start under cover at the national museum, where natural history and Welsh art sit side by side and entry costs nothing. After lunch, cross the city centre to Cardiff Castle to explore its wartime tunnels, Victorian rooms and the Norman keep on its mound.
National Museum Cardiff → Cardiff Castle
