The weather in Wales might not always be sunny, so here are the best visitor attractions for families around Wales….just in-case it rains.
1) Techniquest in Cardiff is a multi-award winning science and discovery centre which receives rave reviews from both adults and kids. The whole centre is designed around learning new things in a really fun and interesting way. There are masses of hands on experiments and exhibitions, plus regularly changing exhibitions throughout the year.
Techniquest Wrexham has now opened up too, so if you’re in north Wales of the Shropshire area you don’t have to miss out.
2) When the new Dr. Who and Torchwood were based in Cardiff, the city embraced them and now there’s even the Dr. Who Exhibition.
The permanent exhibition is open 7 days a week and is updated regularly with new props, including series 5 props such as Khaki Dalek, Stone Angels along with old favourites such as The Cybermen.
Alongside the props are other exhibits such as one from Millennium FX showing how they created the Ood.
3) King Arthur’s Labyrinth tells the story of the Welsh version of the King Arthur legend, based in the dark caves of what is known as King Arthur’s Labyrinth. Visitors are taken on a boat trip through the caves by a hooded boatman who tells the early King Arthur story.
Deep inside the caves, visitors alight from the boat into the cavern where tales of the battle between the red and the white dragons, of Rhitta and the King of the Beards.
4) If modern day heros are more your thing, why not try the Millennium Stadium tours where you can walk in the footsteps of legends such as Ryan Giggs, or see where Madonna performed her Sticky & Sweet concert.
This five star attraction has the only retractable roof of any sports stadium in Britain and has hosted two Rugby World Cups and six FA Cup Finals, alongside numerous artists including Madonna, the Rolling Stones, Robbie Williams and U2.
5) Cantref Adventure Farm in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons is ideal for kids of all ages, but especially the younger ones. The centre allows them to come close to the farm animals in a safe way, and there’s even a riding centre.
6) A very different farm is the Pemberton’s Chocolate Farm in Carmarthen. Visitors get a full hands on chocolate experience with a tour of how the various types of chocolate are made with demonstrations, a look at the actual chocolate factory and the ‘have a go room’ where you can try out making your own chocolate.
7) For an altogether wetter indoor experience, try the Blue Lagoon Waterpark where you can experience some of the wildest indoor waves in the UK, bob along the lazy river, zoom down the flumes, dodge the water cannons or just relax in one of the spas.
8) The SeaQuarium in Rhyl has over 30 themed displays with over 50 different species of British marine life with touch pools and feeding demonstrations. The SeaQuarium also has the only walk through underwater tunnel in Wales.
9) The National Museum of Wales in Cardiff has a wide range of displays ranging from art, archaeology, natural history and geology.
The museum takes visitors through Wales’ history from the very origins of the universe at the Big Bang, to the the pre-historic Wales when the dinosaurs ruled the valleys through to early humans and beyond. Travel 4,600 million years in one day.
The art exhibition comprises of more than 500 years worth of exhibits including paintings, drawings, sculpture, silver and ceramics. Best of all, the museum is entirely free of charge.
10) Electric Mountain in Llanberis lets you right into the heart of the Elidir Mountain where the Dinorwig Hydro-electric Power Station is located.
The site is split into two levels with an exhibition area showing how the power station is used to keep the nation’s lights on, and then the underground guided tours which take you into the turbine halls where the electricity is produced.
Highly recommended for all ages, although due to health & safety the tours are not available for kids under 4 years old.
Further Wales Links:
Visitor attractions in North Wales
Hotels and B&Bs in North Wales
Self-catering in North Wales
Visitor attractions in South Wales
Hotels and B&Bs in South Wales
Self-catering in South Wales
