The 18th-century orangery, fuchsia collection, and restored gardens at Margam Country Park might not do much for kids, but the adventure playground, narrow-gauge railway, pets’ corner, birds of prey centre, and farm trail should hit the spot. And you can meet baboons, chimps, capuchins and marmosets at the Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary.
Ride Europe’s largest wooden rollercoaster and one of the world’s best at Oakwood Theme Park. Take a more leisurely ride through the Brecon Beacons on the Brecon Mountain Railway. And discover golden Blue Flag beaches on the Gower coast, including Caswell, Bracelet, Langland, and Port Eynon.
Watch out for dinosaurs at ‘Britain’s Greatest Natural Wonder’ – the Dan Yr Ogof National Show Caves Centre for Wales. Count your fingers when you leave Plantasia, a hothouse garden home to over 5000 tropical plants plus butterfly house, piranhas, and a crocodile-feeding experience.
Catch big blockbusters and cultural classics at Pontardawe Arts Centre and see the latest releases at the ten-screen multiplex Odeon Swansea. Or pretend you’re in Spain at LC2, Wales’ biggest indoor water park. Swim in the pools, ride the slides, and brave the Master Blaster and Surf Rider indoor surfing.
Pools are often described as Olympic-sized when they’re not. Not so the one at the Welsh National Pool in Swansea. Stay in shape dry-side at Actif Leisure in Carmarthen in the spin studio and on the squash courts. Set up some family Formula One on the 350-metre track at Skidz Karting. Or scale the walls at The Hangar in Swansea.
Trek through forest and mountain with the Cimla Equestrian Centre, pausing for a picnic next to the River Afan. Lower the clay-pigeon population at Crynant Shooting Ground, shoot arrows at Perriswood on the Gower Peninsula, and Go Ape through the treetops at Margam Country Park.
Make like you’re in Melbourne on some of the country’s best surfing beaches, with Langland, Caswell, and Oxwich just a short drive away. Try canyoning, caving, climbing, kayaking, quad biking, paintballing and much more at Adventure Britain. Or book an owl or eagle flying experience with The British Birds of Prey Centre.
Bring your bag of clubs to play five lovely golf courses at Mond Valley, Pontardawe, Langland Bay, super-elevated Neath, Garnant and Pennard, with its views over the bay. Scorecard ruined a lovely walk? Take a restorative tipple at Penderyn Distillery Visitor Centre or Tomos Watkin Brewery.
