Thinking of visiting Wales with kids? I can tell you there is PLENTY to see and do for families, and we have found some incredible family friendly (and dog friendly) places to stay over the years too. North Wales is just an hours drive from our home in Staffordshire. With the promise of beautiful beaches, rich history, characterful market towns and beautiful seaside resorts, Wales has it all… and I can tell you, that we visit A LOT.
Family friendly places to stay in Wales
If you are thinking of visiting Wales with kids, then there are some amazing family friendly places to stay. Here is a pick of family friendly places that we have stayed over the years with our kids (and our huge golden retriever!)
Surf Snowdonia glamping pods, North Wales
If you look glamping and surfing then head to the Adventure Parc in Snowdonia.
The lagoon side pods are equipped with the basics (power, heat and light!) and provide a comfortable base after a day surfing. Set in the Conwy Valley in the foothills of the Snowdonia mountains you will find Adventure Parc Snowdonia with an amazing inland surf lagoon and perfect for adventurous families!
REVIEW: Weunydd Hotel, Snowdonia, North Wales
We are always on the look out for dog friendly accommodation and this hotel in Snowdonia is an absolute treat! Not only is Plas Weunydd a luxury family friendly boutique hotel (that welcomes dogs!) but it is also situated in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and not far from Snowdon. a stones throw from Llechwedd Zipworld, a mountain bike centre and bounce below, Plas Weunydd is the perfect base to explore North Wales.
Eco Retreats glamping in Wales
Nestled in the heart of the forest, 25 minutes off the main road you will find Eco Retreats. Eco Retreats is an eco friendly glamping retreat situated on an organic working farm in the heart of Wales’ Dyfi forest, approximately 7 miles north-east of Machynlleth. If you are looking to unplug, get back to nature and switch off from the world for a short while… then you will love Eco Retreats.
Llechwedd Glamping, North Wales
If you are looking to glamp in North Wales then let me introduce you to Llechwedd Glamping – a multi award-winning adventure glamping site in Snowdonia, North Wales, set in a rugged landscape and industrial heritage. Honestly this has been one of our favourite UK glamping breaks for families, Llechwedd offers a unique glamping experience and just a stones throw from the attractions including lechwedd Zipworld, a mountain bike centre and Bounce Below.
Camping in Wales
Whether you are looking for a campsite in the heart of Snowdonia, near to a waterfall, with access to water for paddleboarding or wild swimming, or a coastal campsite – Wales really does have it all.
We have camped in Wales since we purchased our campervan over ten years ago now. North Wales is only an hour drive from our home in Staffordshire, so we love nothing more than exploring the Llyn Peninsula with our three children in our converted campervan.
Llyn Gwynant Campsite REVIEW
If you are looking for a Snowdonia campsite with lake access then Llyn Gwynant campsite will be for you. Llyn Gwynant is in the heart of Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), and has it all, mountains, river and a lake. You can book a lakeside pitch and the sunsets are just incredible. This is one of our favourite campsites with direct access to water – and perfect for paddleboarding.
Nantcol Waterfalls Campsite REVIEW
If you are looking for a unique camping experience in Snowdonia, Nantcol Waterfalls Campsite is a family friendly campsite nestled at the foot of the rugged Rhinog mountain range. It has direct access to Nantcoll waterfalls making it a perfect campsites for wild swimming or for kids to have a splash in the river. We have included this campsite in our post with our pick of the BEST family friendly campsites in the UK. .
Best Campsites in North Wales
We have camped in North Wales for years. In fact, the first place we visited when we purchased our VWT5 camper was Abersoch. So with that in mind, we have collected a few favourite campsites along the way. When camping with kids, it is important to have enough on the campsite, or nearby so that we don’t HAVE to move the campervan every day. So read on for more of our favourite campsites that are family friendly.
Willow Springs campsite, Afan Valley, South Wales: REVIEW
Willow Springs campsite is a small, family run eco- campsite located in the heart of the Afan Valley, near Port Talbot in South Wales. We stayed here for three nights and it is a beautiful, small and peaceful campsite offering an ideal base to explore the area.
If glamping is more your things- Willow Springs has three Shepherds huts available to rent.
Things to do with kids in Wales
There are so many places to visit and things to do in Wales with children, I have set a task this year to write it all up. I’ve made a start though so watch this space as I add more of our favourite things to do in Wales with kids
A family activity holiday in South Wales
The roads were winding, the views spectacular…waterfalls, forests and a three mile stretch of golden sand. We were exploring the dramatic heart of Wales. Staying at Willow Springs campsite in our VWT5 campervan, we spent 3 days exploring the area with our three children. If you love cycling, surfing, paddle boarding and hiking, then Neath Port Talbot offers an abundance of outdoor activities for all of the family to enjoy.
Best places to visit on the Llŷn Peninsula: North Wales
The Llŷn Peninsula area of outstanding beauty boasts almost 100 miles of coastline. The area is known for its stunning coastal scenery, charming villages, and rich history. We have explored the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales for years, and have listed our favourite places to visit with kids.
Ffestiniog Railway Review: Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog
The Ffestiniog Railway is the world’s oldest narrow gauge railway and has almost 200 years of history. Whilst staying in the Llechwedd glamping lodges, we headed out to explore the area by train to take the journey between Porthmadog’s harbourside and the former slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Church Doors Cove Pembrokeshire
We visited Church Doors Cove, on the South Pembrokeshire Coast near Manorbier, during our stay a few years ago. It is so named because of the two high arched caves in the sandstone cliffs which much resemble the doorways of a church. It is a small sand and rocky cove and access to the beach is at low tide via the coastal path. Let me tell you – it is a trick to get there with little people but worth it 🙂
