This February half term, there’s plenty to see and do with all the family at the special places in National Trust Cymru’s care.
Discover and explore trails in gardens, estates and historic buildings near you with a day out for the whole family.
Enjoy time outdoors together in nature, spotting snowdrops, or squirrels, or the first signs of winter melting into spring in estates and gardens across Wales. Or head indoors to keep warm during the colder season with storytelling, puppet making, and much more.
South Wales
Dinefwr, Llandeilo
Visit the magnificent Newton House at Dinefwr for creative, fun half term activities. The Basement will play host to many exciting treats for everyone to enjoy, from puppet making in the Butler’s Pantry and dressing up and silver polishing in the Brushing Room. Storytelling will take place daily between, at 12-2pm, with our expert storytellers exploring magical Welsh myths and Legends.
Enjoy playing a range of board games in the Drawing Room, sipping on tasty hot chocolates in the Cafe and searching for our hidden figures throughout the house! February half term makes for the perfect opportunity for a welly walk with lots of puddle splashing
- Half term activities 18-26 February, 10.30am-3.30pm. Normal admission prices apply. No additional event charges.
Dyffryn Gardens, near Cardiff
A peaceful oasis on the outskirts of Cardiff, Dyffryn has something new to discover on every visit. The gardens host a number of different styles inspired by countries from all over the world, as well as a café, shop and second-hand bookshop.
In Welsh, February is sometimes known as ‘Y mis bach’, meaning a little month. This February half term enjoy Y Mis Bach trail – a little trail for a little month! Keep your eyes peeled for wooden tiles across the garden – they will help you find all the small things as you explore. Simply pick-up your trail leaflet and pencil from our Welcome Centre when you arrive and learn all about what little things happen in the gardens during winter.
- Y Mis Bach Trail, 18-26 February 2023, 10am-4pm. Normal admission prices apply. No additional event charges.
Rhosili, the Gower
Nature counts on us to care for it, and we rely on nature to support us too. Bring your friends and family to the breathtaking Rhosili bay with its three-mile-long sandy beach this half term to create an enormous sand collage to celebrate nature.
What messages or drawings will you and your family contribute to the canvas provided by the golden sands of Rhosili beach? People will be on hand to help with your ideas, whether it be drawing a seal or writing a message. Tools like rakes will be provided to help to mark out the sand, and remember – the bigger the better.
- 24 February, 1-3pm. No event charge. Booking advisable.
Tredegar House, Newport
Situated within 90 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland, this delightful red brick house is one of the architectural wonders of Wales and an ideal setting for a fantastic day out.
This February half term, the Red Dragon Trail returns to Tredegar House. Some legendary guests have come to visit and have hidden themselves throughout the mansion house. Have they flown to the highest shelves or nestled in darkened corners? See how many little dragons you can spot as you explore the grand state rooms and modest below stairs. Once you’ve explored the mansion, head outside to treasure all that Mother Nature has to offer this season with our ‘50 Things to Do Before You’re 11 ¾’ self-led activities.
- Red Dragon Trail from 18 February. House open 11am-3.30, garden 10.30am-4pm. Normal admission prices for the house and garden apply. No additional event charges.
Mid Wales
Llanerchaeron, near Aberaeron
With a brisk winter walk around the estate you can wander around the farm and garden, see the bare structures of the parkland trees in their full glory and the frost making its way around the lake where overwintering ducks are settled. The Aeron Valley is renowned for its fruitfulness and berries and there are still some to spot over the winter period.
This half term, there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy, including a spotter trail for little explorers with tiny doors names after woodland animals dotted around the farmyard, lake and garden. On 22 February there will be our Forest school activities to make craft decorations from natural materials around the estate from 11am – 2pm.
- Half term events 22-26 February, 11am-3pm. Normal admission applies. No additional event charges.
Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool
This February half term, you and your family can get active and explore the world-famous terraced garden at Powis Castle in an unusual and exciting way. Pick up a map from the Welcome Cabin and embark on an adventure along terraces, through formal gardens and around large lawns. Look out for the prompts which tell you what to do: You can skip, jump and fly your way around the trail and experience the great outdoors from a different perspective.
To warm up after being out in the fresh February air, explore Colour with Kaffe, the vibrant new textile exhibition in the castle which is perfect for the whole family. Internationally renowned fine artist and textile designer, Kaffe Fassett, is bringing his work to Mid Wales. From cushions and quilts to furniture and carpet, the interiors of the 13th century castle will be adorned with wondrous textiles from 18 February-3 September.
- Find your way and play, 18 February – 26 March, 10am-4pm. Colour with Kaffe, 18 February-3 September, 12-4pm, last entry 3.30pm. Normal admission applies. No additional event charges.
North Wales
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
The world renowned Bodnant Garden have been adding to their display of snowdrops for many years, from the Old Park Meadow and through the Yew Dell, right down to the Far End and the Willow Worm maze and picnic area. Why not enjoy a late winter adventure and see how many of these beautiful little flowers, sometimes known as ‘Lili Wen Fach’ in Welsh, you can see along the way?
Once you’ve been for a bracing walk, head to the Garden and Pavilion tea-room for a warming drink, open every day from 10am-4pm, with last entry at 3.30pm. Dogs welcome on short leads (not extendable) at all times every day until the end of March.
- Gardens open 10am-4pm each day, last entry 3.30pm. Normal admission prices apply.
Chirk Castle and Garden, Wrexham
Start your visit to the magnificent Chirk Castle and Garden at the medieval Adam Tower, where signs of the castle’s historic past can be still seen. Have fun dressing up in armour, go on the hunt for the medieval garderobes (or toilets to you and me) and murderholes, and venture down into the two-level dungeons… if you’re brave enough!
For a breath of fresh air, the outdoor play areas at Home Farm are great to keep little ones entertained. They are conveniently located next to the Kiosk which serves hot and cold drinks and snacks, with ample outdoor seating. So it’s a great place to stop to run off some energy, or for a rest before continuing your winter wander.
- Tower, garden, shop and café open daily 10m-4pm. Kiosk opening times may vary. Normal admission prices apply.
Erddig, Wrexham
Spend some quality time together this February half-term with lots of things to do at Erddig, from marshmallow toasting to running wild in Wolf’s Den. It’s fun to care for plants and watch them grow, so join us to create paper plant pots and plant cress seeds. This is an easy activity that will be sure to capture your little ones’ attention. Plus, cress heads grow quickly so you will see and taste the results in no time.
Award-winning storyteller returns to Erddig with exciting tales this half term. Join us in the Education Room with ever-popular Jake Evans to sit back and relax as he takes us all on an imaginative adventure. Jake will be taking the stage on 20, 22, and 26 February at 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm and 3pm.
- Please visit the website for event dates and times. No additional event charges (excluding marshmallow toasting, where kits are £1.50).
Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor
High on the hill with views out to Eryri (Snowdonia), the estate surrounding Penrhyn Castle is the perfect place to explore and spend time together in nature. Enjoy a fresh winter walk on the woodland trail as you discover more about the woodland and wildlife around you. With the snowdrops appearing left right and centre, there’s no better time to slow down and immerse yourself in nature. You can also enjoy a circular walk around the lesser-known parts of the castle grounds on the Discover nature walk at Penrhyn.
During your exploration seek out the wooden arch which leads to the natural woodland play area created by the Ranger team. As you wander the estate and gardens, make sure you pack your sense of adventure and expect the unexpected.
- Woodland Trail, 11 February-20 March, 10am-4pm. Normal admission prices apply. No additional event charges.
Plas Newydd House and Garden
The Grade I listed landscape at Plas Newydd, Anglesey, is made up of 40 acres of garden and 129 acres of woodland and parkland. This remarkable setting with views across the Menai Strait of the Eryri (Snowdonia) peaks is the ideal place to spot some winter wildlife.
Catch sight of red squirrels by visiting the squirrel hide in Church Bank Wood. Squirrels don’t hibernate and with less foliage on the trees, winter is a great time to spot these shy creatures. There are two hides along the paths by the Menai Strait, where you can observe the huge variety of birdlife, both in the woodland behind and along the shoreline. Enjoy a welly wander with the family as you head around the gardens taking notice of the early signs of Spring. Ask the visitor welcome team for more information of additional walking trails in the area, and don’t forget to bring along your binoculars!
- Welly Wander, 18 February – 5 March, 10.30am-5pm, last entry to the gardens 4pm. Normal admission prices for the garden apply.
