Railway · 10:00–12:30 (2h30m)
Snowdon Mountain Railway
Book the train; wrap up as it is cold at the top.
An outdoor heritage railway in Llanberis.
Check pricesOutdoors
- Café on site
- Toilets
Photo: Bert Kaufmann from Roermond, Netherlands
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.
WeekendAges 8–12Cost £££6 stops
Day 110:00–16:00
- 10:001
- 13:002
Castle · 13:00–13:40 (40m)
Dolbadarn Castle
Free Cadw tower on a knoll above the lake.
A ruined castle of the Welsh princes, probably built by Llywelyn the Great, whose tall round tower stands on a knoll above Llyn Padarn. Free to wander in daylight hours, it makes a short add-on to a Llanberis day.
FreeOutdoors- Accessibility
- Parking
Photo: Eirian Evans
- 13:453
Park · 13:45–16:00 (2h15m)
Padarn Country Park
Lakeside and woodland paths with quarry remains.
An 800-acre council country park on the north shore of Llyn Padarn, covering old slate quarry land, oak woodland and lakeside picnic spots. It is the base for the Lake Railway and the (currently closed) National Slate Museum, and has waymarked walks including one to the old Quarry Hospital.
Free / PaidOutdoors- Parking
Photo: Hefin Owen from Wales
Day 210:00–16:30
- 10:004
10:00–13:00 (3h)
Portmeirion
Paid entry to the colourful village and woodland.
An outdoor family attraction in Porthmadog, aimed at ages 0–12.
Check pricesOutdoors- Café on site
- Accessibility
Photo: Mike McBey
- 13:205
Food stop · 13:20–14:05 (45m)
Spooner's
Lunch at Porthmadog Harbour station watching the steam trains.
The railway-run café and bar on Porthmadog Harbour station, serving food and drinks through the day. Handy before or after a steam train ride, and close to the harbour.
Illustrative photo: Ayodele Adeniyi on Unsplash
- 14:306
Nature & gardens · 14:30–16:30 (2h)
Morfa Bychan Beach
Huge flat beach for running, kites and paddling.
An outdoor beach in Porthmadog.
Check pricesOutdoors- Toilets
- Accessibility
- Parking
Photo: Eirian Evans
More days out in Wales
WalesSteam trains, slate caverns and the Meirionnydd coast: a weekend at Llanfendigaid
Stable 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
WeekendAll agesCost ££
WalesTwo days around Tenby: farm zoo, then three castles
Tenby
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.
Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo → Pembroke Castle → Lamphey Bishop's Palace → Nest Tearoom, Carew Castle + 1 more
WeekendAges 3–7Cost £££
WalesGower bays: a heritage mill, Three Cliffs and Rhossili
Gower (Parkmill)
Begin at a working water mill in Parkmill, then walk down to the dramatic river-cut bay at Three Cliffs. End the day on the long sweep of Rhossili beach below the downs, with Worm's Head out at the tip.
Gower Heritage Centre → Three Cliffs Coffee Shop
One dayAges 8–12Sunny dayCost ££