This trip was my daughter’s Christmas present to me and what an incredible experience it was. We had quite a journey from north Herefordshire and it was worth every mile. We parked in their main carpark, where we had our lunch beside a small reservoir. It is a pay and display carpark and a five minute walk to the railway station. We arrived and after collecting our tickets, we walked onto the platform and waited for our train to arrive. A loco was filling up with water and another was offering footplate rides. Our train arrived and we were guided to our carriage. We would be travelling in First Class behind the engine, Merddin Emyrs, the Mountain Spirit, a double engined locomotive and about 140 years old, and still puffing along nicely. We watched as the locomotive was coupled to our carriage and soon we were on our way. Our amazing journey starts crossing along a harbour wall known as The Cob, and past Boston Lodge, where the locos go at the end of their busy schedules. From here, we travelled across fields before beginning the the long and picturesque journey to Blaneau Ffestiniog. We travelling past a few stations through very narrow cuttings, with slated sides, through tunnels and around the "Great Deviation", believed to be the only one in Britain. It took 6 years to build, by volunteers and raises the line 35ft in a circle, a real feat of engineering. We eventually arrived at Blaneau Station where the main line meets the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway. Both services terminate here. A chance to get out, stretch our legs, take more photos of the slate mountains, grab a snack as the engine was moved to the other end of the train for the journey back to Porthmadog. Thankfully, we had taken plenty of photos on our outward journey because it came to a halt at the next station. As we waited for the next train, Linda was bringing the last train up to Blaneau. She arrived opposite us and departed and still we waited. Unfortunately we could see smoke across the valley from us and we wondered if it might be a fire. Soon the Train Manager advised us that, due to a potentially large line side fire, our return journey was being turned around. We returned to Blaneau where buses met us to take us all back to Porthmadog. Everyone was in good spirits and totally understanding. The drive back took about 20 minutes, where as the train took over an hour, allowing for water stops enroute. Yes, we were a little disappointed but everyone was safe and we all enjoyed the experience. We shall look forward to travelling from Caernarvon to Porthmadog, through the western fringes of Snowdonia. We received the very best of treatment and support from all the staff at the railway. The bus drivers were amusing and helpful, considering the circumstances.

Beautiful location, easy to access beach, mountains and shopping. Great facilities, well maintained. Good range of on-site catering. Staff were friendly and helpful, especially in looking after one of our group with additional needs. Could not recommend highly enough. On a par with the best French campsites, for those who have camped abroad.

Beach is absolutely stunning and very long.. we had a late walk and the waves were crashing against the wall and yes like children we decided to get soaked.. I've never had so much fun, and we were soaking but good memories.

Came here with a group of 5 children aged 5-14. The tour itself was great, lots to entertain the children and the underground boat was great. Spooky/dark enough to keep the teenagers engaged and lots of different things happening at each stopping point. My 5 year old flipping loved it! We had a 10:40 tour and it was very quiet, not sure if we were the first group going out but we didn't have to wait at all, but on our way back we met two groups who were waiting at various points, so might be worth trying to get there early. The craft centre where thr Labyrinth is situated is also great, lots of lovely independent shops, as well as a cafe and play park. Would definitely come back.

A fantastic day out for the family. Lots to see and quite a few interactive areas. CAT does a very good job of explaining how we can live sustainably and how various technologies work. Very educational and done in way that is entertaining for all age groups. We also had lunch at their canteen and the food was very good. They only have vegetarian options but the pies we tried were very tasty. The site is actually larger that we originally thought but is very well laid out with toilets dotted around, really handy if you have kids.

We enjoyed our visit today especially feeding the cheeky goats! There was a good selection of animals to view including goats, pigs, wolf dogs, tortoises, chickens, ducks, birds, turkeys, foxes, rabbits, guinea pigs etc. We could take our dog which was a bonus as we were visiting the area on holiday. Staff were all very pleasant and the animals were well looked after and healthy. A great place to take children and we as adults enjoyed it too. There is a little cafe for food and drinks. Overall, a nice day out.

Visit at 2pm, not 3pm. The feeding of the Red Kites is at 2pm. The centre is closed (financial mismanagement we've heard) but there was a cracking coffee van in the car park, and a toilet trailer which was clean. There appears to be no parking charge either as they've taken the payment machine away. The area is beautiful, but a little overgrown, the Northernmost hide was just a view of some saplings. But the views of the kites are spectacular. Sit on the Western shore for the best views. They start to congregate well before the feeding begins. There's lots of signs to read with a few trails. Many of the hand-wound sound signs still work. Criminal that they let this place close. Visit while you still can and watch one of the best wildlife experiences in Britain. Keep dogs away from the viewing area when the hawks are about, and on a short lead the rest of the time. Great children's play area near the car park too.

A beautiful place to visit. The three bridges are absolutely fascinating, and the waterfalls and gorge are spectacular. You start at the entrance and there is a circular route to follow round. There are lots of steep steps both down and up, so a certain level of fitness is required. But these are part of the fun and lead to some great viewpoints. You definitely need good footwear. These steps must get slippery in rain and the autumn. A lovely place to spend and hour or so, especially if you come by the steam train and enjoy the cafe.

My wife and I visited during our holiday in the area. It is a fantastic place. To start with, the staff gave us a warm welcome and explained where everything was. The facilities are spot on and there was a nice choice of refreshments. Then when it came to feeding time for the red kites, it was an amazing site to see. Great job all round and I applaud them for what they do there

The Elan Valley Reservoirs are a breathtaking destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The scenery here is stunning, with rolling hills, lush forests, and crystal-clear water stretching as far as the eye can see. Whether you’re driving through, hiking, cycling, or just taking a leisurely walk, the views are nothing short of spectacular. There are plenty of well-marked trails to explore, ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes, all offering picturesque views of the reservoirs and surrounding landscape. The dams are engineering marvels, and the history behind them adds another layer of interest to your visit. There’s a visitor center that provides helpful information about the area’s history, wildlife, and the construction of the dams. This is a peaceful place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, with plenty of opportunities to relax by the water, have a picnic, or simply take in the natural beauty. It’s also a fantastic spot for photographers – you’ll want to bring your camera because every angle offers a postcard-worthy view. The area is well-maintained, and the facilities are good, though it’s quite remote, so it’s best to be prepared with supplies if you’re planning a longer visit. If you’re looking for a serene, scenic getaway in the heart of Wales, Elan Valley is absolutely worth the trip. Highly recommended for anyone who loves nature and the great outdoors!

What an awesome trip, fabulous crew and Michelle was an absolute fountain of knowledge. The views from the boat are stunning, seeing beautiful New Quay from the sea is amazing. Then we were blessed to be greeted by a pod of Dolphins, just phenomenal! 2 calves with the zoomies, and around 6 others all came close to say hello, just magical. So much to see the birds, the seals, the jellyfish.. and then the wonderful landscape where the land meets the sea. I did the hour and a half trip on sun catcher and 100% recommend this and definitely will be back. Thank you so much guys for an awesome experience.

An amazing experience with SeaMor – a small, family-run company with a big heart. The guide spoke with immense passion and knowledge about the bay and local wildlife, making the trip truly fascinating. They did everything possible to ensure we saw as much as possible – and we were lucky enough to see seals and dolphins! We drove almost two hours to this attraction, and it was absolutely worth it. A lovely gift shop and fair prices. I highly recommend this company and this wonderful attraction in beautiful New Quay!

Almost missed this treasure on our trip to Llandovery. Easy to get to on the A482, well signposted and owned by the National Trust - a membership would be a good idea! The site itself is HUGE, loads of walks and views to take in! The main opencast site has several buildings with factual signs dotted everywhere The winding room with the shaft cage is especially interesting! We attended both mine tours, Victorian and Roman. I simply cannot express how incredible our guides were. Not only are they hilarious and informative, but they are also obviously extremely dedicated to the history of the site itself. I highly recommend this as a day out, especially with children - the gold panning was also very fun! Big shout out to our tour guides Nevile and Ed! - side note - if it's your birthday (or in my case the day before) and you do the Victorian tour, Nevile will let you blow out the candle and make the other tourers sing Happy Birthday to you in the dark! Made my day!

Really nice castle (and free!). The information boards were great, nice to read about the history of the castle. Stairs are pretty easy to manage, and well worth it as you can the cross each tower by an elevated walkway. Fantastic views of the country side. Note that the toilets are not open and there is no parking. Park in the car park by the river and take the walking paths up to the castle.

£3 parking all day - well worth a visit. Lovely walk up the steep sided river very calming. To put in context Cardigan town parking is £4 for 2 hours. Good walkway on riverbank, and plenty of wildlife if you are quiet. Great way to de-stress.

Beautiful woodlands and you're rewarded with the castle ruins at the top. Clear skies on the day we visited so you could see for miles. Visited the National Trust House while there and took a walk around the deer park also. Worth a visit all round!

A must-visit gem in Wales! Perfect for families and absolutely wonderful for kids – there’s so much to explore and enjoy. The highlight for me was the breathtaking waterfall hidden inside the cave. It felt almost magical, like stepping into another world. The sound of the rushing water, the cool cave air, and the stunning natural beauty made it an unforgettable experience. Truly one of those places that stays with you long after you leave.

A beautiful day spent here. Gorgeous gardens, ideal for a lovely walk and explore the gardens. A lovely tropical house you can spend time enjoying more plants from hotter countries. Thoroughly enjoyed it, plenty of benches to sit and admire everything. So many butterflies and bees to see getting the nectar. If you want a lovely lunch, go the the restaurant here, delicious food and hot and cold drinks. Once you visited you can come back again within seven days with your ticket for free entry.

A great little distillery surrounded by wonderful roads. As I was on a motorcycle I didn’t taste, but bought a couple of bottles and a glass. The staff were very friendly and couldn’t do enough in wrapping everything really well for me to pack on the bike. Well worth a stop

This is a wonderful place to visit. Very atmospheric, you can sit in the chairs where Dylan sat and really feel his presence. The man working there was lovely and told us fascinating facts about Dylan's life. There's also a fabulous cafe at the rear which you can visit even if you don't want to see the rest of the house. But would definitely recommend seeing the whole house.

I took a 25 walk from Neath Train station to the park, it was a lovely walk up from the entrance and the views are beautiful. Parking is chargeable, there are toilets and a cafe there. Great play parks for kids and it's dog friendly too. The lake is a nice place to sit and watch the wildlife and there are plenty of benches around. Great place to get out in nature and recharge.

Just an incredible place absolutely huge!one of the best beaches in wales and when your finished exploring head to the chippy yes it’s called the chippy for some food 👍🏻we can thoroughly recommend it. Coastal path is tough going but well worth the effort. Just note that you can only use around 900 meters of beach when the mod close it for weapons testing but still incredible. Worth a visit any time of year.Stunning

A great venue for events - spacious, well-organized, and very welcoming. The gym area is spotless with top-quality equipment, which really stood out to me. I’m looking forward to coming back the next time I’m in Swansea to try out the swimming pool. Would highly recommend!

This place is one of my favourite go to’s when I’m either riding one of my bikes on my own or when I’m driving with the whole family, just one of those places that feels your heart with good energy and relaxing vibes…

The rooms are excellent and the staff are absolutely wonderful. Our family came with two children and three dogs. We could not have had better service. Incredibly patient and kind ( they even offer sausages to the dogs!) Very, very quiet and pretty location. Heartily recommend!

Beautiful walk along the beach having taken the steep walk down from the National Trust car park. Spotless beach and when we visited it was deserted except for the odd dog walker and the ever enthusiastic surfer. It's a bit of a haul back up to the car park, but well worth it

I felt like Lawrence of Arabia. I can understand why some of the film was made hear, it was somewhat challenging in some bits, especially the big dipper, but loved the challenge. There are also stunning views of Ogmore by sea and orchids and other wild flowers. Well worth a visit

Love taking my youngest into Porthcawl he’s never not amused… not only do you have the beach and lengthy coastline not to mention the local celebrity Lizzie…there’s also the fun fair (seasonal hours) but not for much longer as it’s closing altogether…there’s the hi-tide restaurant which is fab plus many other food options along with the arcades plus the town centre within walking distance..great place what’s not to love