Days out in South Wales

Gower is a stunningly beautiful area, jutting out into the sea off the coast of South Wales. Named as the UK's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956, the area has maintained every ounce of beauty in its sublime golden beaches, cliff top walks and crisp ocean air, as well as the quaint villages, woodlands, moorland, rivers and valleys found inland. 

If you've never made the time to walk the coastal path, you’ll find it to be an unforgettable experience and well worth the effort. Not all the coves and beaches are accessible by car so you’ll have to do some degree of walking either way. There are paid car parks and public toilets at some of the bays and plenty of small village pubs and restaurants for a snack or meal on the way. It can get busy on weekends and it’s over an hour’s drive from our Tenby holiday parks, but it's well worth a visit, especially Worm’s Head and the Magnificent Rhossili Bay.

Address: Abercraf, Swansea SA9 1GJ

This unique attraction is one of the top days out in South Wales for families thanks to the sheer variety of things to enjoy — from a dinosaur park to an Iron Age farm and of course, cave exploration. You and your kids are free to wander the caves without a guide, but don’t worry, it’s easy to follow the route without getting lost! Just make sure to put on a hard hat at the fascinating “bone cave” where the ceilings can get a little low. There are dioramas with a storyline narration, informing you of the history of the cave’s discovery and facts about its formation. 

Above ground you'll find a large number of dinosaur models of all shapes and sizes — many of them dynamic models — as well as an excellent museum with touch screen and interactive points. There's also a kid’s play centre with small zip lines at the Shire Horse Museum. With such a variety of content available, you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck. The National Showcaves Centre for Wales is an all-day South Wales day out so be sure to bring a packed lunch, or otherwise visit the cafe with its menu of sandwiches, baked potatoes, burgers and chips and hot drinks.

Address: Mayals, Swansea SA3 5BW

Outside of the concrete jungle that is Swansea lies an absolute gem of a park, close to the Mumbles area and sea front. Clyne Gardens has a superb array of flowers and trees from all over the world and the finest collection of rhododendrons in Wales, including 'Loderi King George' which can grow to 16m high.

Follow paths through a wooded valley by the side of a fast running stream to encounter  waterfalls and fantastic views of the bay once you reach the top. The park is on a hill so can be somewhat challenging at times, but this should not be an issue for most people, though wheelchairs may struggle in the hillier sections. Otherwise, the gardens are family friendly, great for dogs, and home to a variety of wildlife for photography. At the bottom is The Woodman pub which makes for a great refuelling spot after a day of exploration.

At the very heart of Wales, Brecon Beacons is one of the best days out in South Wales. Magnificent mountains, woodlands, waterfalls, castles, and much more — this National Park has it all. With two National Trails and numerous smaller routes in a total area of 520 square miles, you could explore Brecon Beacons for years and still have much more of its breath-taking beauty to discover. 

If you’re able to trek all the way up, the view of Wales from top of the highest peak "Pen y Fan", almost 900 metres above sea level, is amazing. On the way up and down you might see wild horses, fresh mountain water springs, and of course it wouldn’t be a walk in Wales without plenty of sheep. For those with little ones, there are plenty of other attractions including a traditional steam railway with observation carriages, so no one needs to miss out on the scenery.

Address: Parc Tawe Retail Park, Swansea SA1 2AL

This huge glass pyramidal attraction houses exotic cacti, tropical plants, colourful wildlife, unusual insects and fish. It will transport you to a realistic jungle environment right in the middle of Swansea. 

Having been subject to a £1.1 million revamp, Swansea Plantasia is a truly multi-sensory experience complete with the sights, sights and smells of the rainforest. Not only is it immersive, but also educational, thanks to the clear and concise accompanying props to all exhibitions. Other attractions include a rope bridge that spans the "rainforest" floor, giving you a bird's eye view of the building, and a tunnel which you can crawl through and see an ant colony, as well as some of the venue's old favourites including Cuddles the reticulated python.

Address: Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Pembroke SA71 5EB

The cliffs, headlands and offshore islets of Pembrokeshire are susceptible to erosion and can form dramatic formations, including impressive arches.

As natural arches go, it’s hard to beat the Green Bridge. It’s without a doubt one of the best things to do near Tenby, and it’s reachable by car in about 30 minutes. This stunning arch is 80 ft tall and reaches right out into the sea. As a bonus, the nearby Elegug Stacks are the home to nesting guillemots during late Spring and early Summer.