If you’re a mother, then you already know the struggle of keeping a family entertained throughout the summer holidays. Getting two screen-obsessed children to look up from social media scrolling long enough to engage in a conversation is hard enough, but trying to plan a summer holiday that doesn’t elicit a chorus of “do we have to?” feels almost impossible. And that’s why we ventured to Wales this summer, for the very first time!
For years, our default summer plan was fighting through airport security to catch a flight abroad, only to spend half the time worrying about baggage limits, roaming charges and harmful sun exposure. But this summer, we decided to do something completely different: we packed up the car and headed west, to the beautiful Welsh countryside and it was incredible.
It was the single best family holiday that we’ve ever had, and despite being just a stones throw from England, it felt like a whole new world. Wales is so often overlooked in favour of Cornwall or the Lake District, but it has a quiet, wild magic that instantly captivated even my tough-to-impress 18yr and 14yr olds. If you’re looking to trade chaotic tourist traps for pure golden sand, ancient castles, and genuine outdoor adventure, then Wales 100% needs to be on your family’s radar this summer.
Beaches That Rival The Mediterranean
When people think of UK beaches, they often picture freezing cold water, questionable sea foam and dark grey, uncomfortable pebbles. Wales shatters that myth completely!
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the Gower Peninsula are in fact home to some of the most stunning beaches in Europe. We spent a day at Rhossili Bay and Barafundle Bay, and genuinely couldn’t believe that we were still in Great Britain.
There are miles of pristine, golden beaches where you can actually find a spot to lay your towel without being shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers or surrounded by litter and chaos. With crystal clear waters, it’s also ideal for paddleboarding, bodyboarding, or wild swimming and my teens couldn’t resist leaving their phones in the car to jump into the waves and marvel over the paragliders.
There are so many absolutely stunning, hidden coves to discover which are perfect for coasteering and exploring sea caves if you have an adventurous streak and your swimwear to hand.
Real-Life History: Castles That Impress Teenagers
It’s one thing to read about history in a textbook, but another thing entirely to stand on the battlements of a fortress built nearly 800 years ago. Wales is known as the Castle Capital of the World, with over 600 castles scattered across its breathtaking landscapes.
We spent a rainy morning at Conwy Castle in North Wales, and even my youngest who normally reserves his enthusiasm for video games, was blown away by the massive stone towers and panoramic views over the harbour.
From the atmospheric ruins of Caernarfon Castle to the fortress of Castell Coch tucked into ancient woodlands, these sites feel like stepping straight into Game of Thrones. Guided tours and interactive exhibitions also make it effortless to keep the whole family engaged, no matter their age range.
High-Adrenaline Adventure To Unplug & Reconnect
If you want your children to forget about their phones, then you need to replace screen time with something even more thrilling, for which Wales is essentially Europe’s outdoor playground! We had so much fun ticking off the tourist hot-spots that we’re planning a second trip next year in order to see all of the rest.
In Eryri, Snowdonia) National Park, they have Zip World, where you can fly over an old slate quarry at speeds over 100 mph on Velocity 2. For younger ones or rainy days, Bounce Below is a huge trampoline park suspended inside of an underground slate cavern which is magical.
Whether you’re hiking up Bannau Brycheiniog, the Brecon Beacons, mountain biking in Coed y Brenin, or kayaking down quiet estuaries, Wales gives families space to push their limits and grow together.
Camping, Stargazing & Getting Back to Basics
There is something deeply restorative about swapping hotel rooms for the rustle of trees and a crackling campfire, and it’s safe to say that Wales takes camping and glamping to a whole other level.
You can pitch a tent at a small farm campsite near the coast and swap screens for star gazing, toasting marshmallows over an open fire, listened to the ocean waves and basking in the peace and beauty of undisturbed nature.
Because vast swathes of Wales, like the Brecon Beacons and parts of Snowdonia, are designated International Dark Sky Reserves, the stargazing there is absolutely world-class. Seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye was a core moment for all of us.
As parents, the years that we have with our children before they head off into adulthood fly by far too quickly. Wales gave our little family something totally invaluable: the chance to slow down, breathe in fresh sea air, laugh together and reconnect in nature.
So, if you’re trying to decide where to take the family this summer, skip the stress of international travel, pack the hiking boots and swimsuits, and discover the wild, breathtaking beauty right on our doorstep.
