Tenby
Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo · Photo: Zoe Wright
Day one is spent at a big farm park and zoo near Kilgetty with animals, rides and plenty of indoor space. Day two follows the medieval trail west: Pembroke's great round keep, a ruined bishop's palace at Lamphey, then lunch and a tidal mill at Carew.
Zoo · 10:00–16:00 (6h)
A full day of animals, play barns and rides; food on site.
An indoor and outdoor zoo in Kilgetty.
Photo: Zoe Wright
Castle · 10:00–12:00 (2h)
Climb the round keep and go down into the cave under the castle.
An indoor and outdoor castle in Pembroke, aimed at ages 4 and up.
Photo: JKMMX
Historic House · 12:15–13:00 (45m)
Free Cadw ruin with open grassy space to explore.
Peaceful ruins of the country retreat used by medieval bishops of St Davids, set in grassy grounds near Pembroke. It is free, rarely busy and easy for little legs, making it a good picnic stop.
Photo: Stephen McKay
Food stop · 13:20–14:00 (40m)
Lunch at the castle tearoom.
The tearoom at Carew Castle, handy for lunch or a snack before or after walking round the millpond.
Photo: pembrokeshirecoast.wales
Castle · 14:00–15:45 (1h45m)
Castle ruins and a walk round the millpond to the tidal mill.
A ruined castle on the edge of a tidal millpond, with a restored tidal mill and a circular walk round the water. The National Park runs it and puts on family events such as archery and knight school days.
Photo: pembrokeshirecoast.wales
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
WalesLlanberis, then Porthmadog
Ride the rack railway up Yr Wyddfa, then wander to a lakeside Welsh castle tower and the woods of Padarn Country Park. Day two takes in the Italianate village of Portmeirion, lunch at Porthmadog harbour station and a run on the wide Black Rock Sands.
Snowdon Mountain Railway → Dolbadarn Castle → Padarn Country Park → Portmeirion + 2 more
WalesSwansea city centre / Maritime Quarter
Two free museums a few minutes apart cover Welsh industry and Swansea's own past, from trams to an Egyptian mummy. The afternoon is spent in the warm under glass at Plantasia among reptiles, monkeys and tropical plants.
National Waterfront Museum → Swansea Museum → Plantasia Tropical Zoo
