Best attractions in South Wales
Not only is South Wales known for its beautiful beaches, it also boasts some of the country's best activities. From hair-raising theme parks to fascinating museums and historic castles, there is an abundance of amazing attractions in South Wales.
Not sure where to begin? Take a look at this list of the best tourist attractions in South Wales for some inspiration of things to see and do. All of the items listed here are within driving distance of our excellent Haven holiday parks in Tenby and New Quay, so everything is possible as a day trip before going back to relax in your caravan.
Oakwood Theme Park, Narbeth
Address: Canaston Bridge, Narberth SA67 8DE
In the heart of Pembrokeshire, just a 20-minute drive from our excellent Tenby holiday parks, Oakwood is a theme park that caters to all members of your family. Toddler friendly rides go alongside the more fast-paced thrills to create a fun-filled package. Thanks to the family-friendly atmosphere at Oakwood, it ranks among our top attractions in South Wales.
There are over 35 rides and attractions in total spread out over 90 acres of grounds and blend in with the natural surroundings. As you’d expect from Wales’ biggest theme park, there are rides and attractions of all shapes and sizes. From adrenaline-fuelled rides – including the UK’s favourite wooden roller coaster, Megafobia – to the spooky haunted house and fairground rides, there’s something to thrill visitors of all ages. Even dogs will be looked after well, with kennels available on site for your four-legged friend to relax in comfort while you and your family play. Make sure you check online before you plan your visit, as opening times and prices can vary.
Carew Castle & Tidal Mill, Carew
Address: Castle Ln, Carew, Tenby SA70 8SL
It might call itself a castle, but Carew is only fortified from certain angles. View it from another perspective and you'll find it looks much more like a stately home. The site is packed with not only Norman, but Tudor history and is even rumoured to be haunted, making it one of the most intriguing places to visit in Pembrokeshire.
Surrounded by a 23-acre mill pond, the site also includes a beautifully restored Tidal Mill, an 11th-century Celtic cross and a Medieval bridge so there’s plenty for history buffs to get their teeth into. However, all these sites are linked by a mile-long circular walk with magnificent views over the mill pond and a picnic area. The walk is suitable for buggies and wheelchairs, so there’s something for families and nature lovers to enjoy too.
Free parking and an excellent range of refreshments are available near Carew Castle and there are souvenir shops both at the castle and the mill, so you’ve all you need for a glorious day out.
Castell Henllys Iron Age Village, Meline
Address: Meline, Crymych SA41 3UR
Continuing the historical theme, Pembrokeshire is also home to Castell Henllys Iron Age Village, made up of prehistoric-style roundhouses rebuilt on the foundations of a hill fort, in 30 acres of national parkland. Immerse yourself in Iron Age culture as you explore the dwellings and meet the friendly Iron Age villagers. They will share their knowledge about prehistoric life through talks and demos of ancient skills and craft.
The walk around the village is self explanatory and highly engaging, giving you and your family plenty to chat about on your fact-filled adventure. There's a gift shop where you can find interesting souvenirs as well as a cafe, though you’re more than welcome to bring a picnic basket, which could be an excellent idea on a sunny day.
Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, Begelly
Address: Begelly, Kilgetty SA68 0XA
Folly Farm is a vibrant park with plenty on offer for the kids such as animal interactions, fair rides and adventure playgrounds. The range of animals is world-class, from the farmyard favourites to the exotic critters. Meet camels, lions, rhino, penguins, meerkats and more, face-to-face!
There's plenty to do besides the animal encounters with rides and experiences such as the Big Wheel, Big Dig, Go-Karts and Santa's Grotto all available at an extra charge. Many of these activities are indoors, which means it’s a great option for rainy days. Your ticket will also give you a 'free return visit offer', which allows you to visit again within seven days for free. Check the website to see whether that offer is available and how to claim it. Food options are extensive and include the Carousel Woods Burger Bar and the The Dairy Shed which sells locally made Upton Farm ice-cream.
Big Pit National Coal Museum, Pontypool
Address: Pontypool NP4 9XP
One of the most popular attractions in South Wales, this former colliery is full of interactive displays on mining life and offers guests the opportunity to go underground with ex-miners. Kids and grownups alike will gain fascinating insight into the industry that defined South Wales for hundreds of years.
The mine is in a beautiful area with well-preserved buildings and original equipment. But the main event is of course, the underground mine tour. This tour gives you first hand insight into the daily life of mine workers, told by the informative and entertaining guides, who all once worked in the mines themselves. Be sure to watch your head on the low ceilings and please bear in mind that the mine has uneven ground and dim lighting, so we don't recommend the tour to those with mobility needs or claustrophobia. However, the staff are friendly and will be on hand to help anyone who's feeling a little nervous. There's a gift shop too with a great mix of souvenirs, information, and goods from independent artists.
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Important information
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 29 August 2024
*Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 August 2024, price is available at selected parks Blue Dolphin, Craig Tara, Cleethorpes Beach, Caister, Combe Haven, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggerston, Orchards, and Quay West. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 31 JULY 2024 *Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 31 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggeston, Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset at Lydstep Beach
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
“Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset” is available at Lydstep Beach. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance. Offer is subject to availability.
"Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset” is applicable to new customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. This offer is available at Lydstep Beach only and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade) for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Site fees from as little as £150 a month with Let2offset” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Lydstep Beach with a monthly site fee of £899.00 (includes purchasing discount of £29) and monthly letting income of £719.00. The monthly difference equates to £151 which will be charged to the owner's account monthly; to meet the site fee payment of £150 per month, an additional credit of £1 per month will be applied to the owner’s account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.