Families looking for inspiration during the summer holidays are being encouraged to explore the Wales Coast Path, with everything from classic seaside days and wildlife spotting to castles, cycling and interactive adventures on offer.
Stretching around the Welsh coastline, the path offers a wide variety of family friendly experiences throughout July and August.
Classic seaside favourites
Llandudno offers a traditional Victorian seaside experience, with puppet shows, ice cream on the pier, deckchairs on the promenade and fish and chips overlooking the sea. Families can also enjoy the Wales Coast Path walk between Llandudno and Conwy, with routes ranging from four to eight miles.
The Nefyn to Porthdinllaen walk is another family favourite. At under five kilometres, it takes in sandy beaches, rock pools and the Lifeboat Station, with August providing one of the best opportunities to spot seals. The route ends at the Tŷ Coch Inn on Porthdinllaen beach.
Barry Island combines the coast with classic amusement arcades, including the famous “Nessa’s Slots”, featured in Gavin and Stacey. Visitors can walk the coast path from Cold Knap car park through the iconic filming location overlooking Whitmore Bay, with the option to stop at Marco’s Café.
In Pembrokeshire, Solva Harbour is highlighted as one of the best places in Wales for crabbing. At high tide, families can spend hours trying to catch crabs before exploring more of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path or enjoying locally caught seafood.
Wildlife encounters
Cardigan Bay offers one of the UK’s best opportunities to spot dolphins during the summer months, with walkers encouraged to look out from headlands between Cardigan and New Quay or join a sunset boat trip.
Along the Millennium Coastal Path, families can visit the Llanelli Wetland Centre to see coral flamingos alongside a wide range of birds and wildlife, making it an ideal stop during a family bike ride.
During August, guided bat walks at Stackpole Estate in Pembrokeshire allow visitors to explore two bat roosts at dusk, with bat detectors provided to help hear the animals.
Pushchair and bike friendly routes
Several sections of the Wales Coast Path are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Llanfairfechan’s flat promenade offers an easy route for families with young children, while the traffic free Millennium Coastal Path provides a cycle friendly route through Carmarthenshire, passing sand dune forests and Sandy Water Park.
Newport Wetlands Reserve is another accessible option, featuring 438 hectares of reedbeds, lagoons, grasslands and estuary mudflats, along with baby changing facilities, toilets, a café and play area.
Historic attractions
The Wales Coast Path passes through Conwy, where families can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Conwy Castle and its medieval town walls. Throughout the summer, Cadw is hosting family events including Conwy Jester Days, featuring magic and comedy performances.
Portmeirion Village offers colourful Italian inspired architecture, woodland gardens, sandy beaches and a central piazza complete with a giant chessboard.
On Anglesey, Ynys Llanddwyn combines coastal scenery with Welsh history. The island is home to the remains of St Dwynwen’s Church and a holy well where eels are said to predict visitors’ romantic future.
Interactive adventures
Families with older children can also download the Wales Coast Path app, which features seven interactive “Family Walks with a Difference”.
By pointing a device at designated information boards, users can unlock augmented reality experiences, games and 3D videos revealing stories about each location.
Interactive boards can be found at:
- The Great Orme near the Rest and be Thankful café in Conwy County
- Menai Bridge on Anglesey
- Borth y Gest on the Llŷn Peninsula
- New Quay in Ceredigion
- Saundersfoot Beach in Pembrokeshire
- Pendine Sands in Carmarthenshire
- Cardiff Barrage near Roald Dahl’s famous crocodile bench in Cardiff Bay
From beaches and wildlife to castles, cycling and digital adventures, the Wales Coast Path offers families plenty of opportunities to enjoy the Welsh coast throughout the summer holidays.
