Top 10 things to do in West Wales

There are so many great things to do in Wales, and West Wales, in particular, has a great range of activities that will suit groups of friends, families and couples – most of the attractions and locations in our list even accept dogs!

From theme parks and animal farms to fortresses chock full of history and beaches that make it feel like you’re a world away from the UK, this remarkable chunk of Cymru will leave you wanting to come back for more.

Keep scrolling to read about the best things to do in West Wales, or click the button below to search our fantastic range of cottages in the region.

Cottages in West Wales

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Folly Farm – best for animal lovers

A trip to Folly Farm is amongst the best things to do with kids in Wales, especially if they are lovers of animals. At the zoo section of the attraction, you’ll be able to visit over 750 animals, including the pride at the lion reserve, a crash of rhinos at the Kifaru reserve, the water-loving critters at the penguin coast and a whole host of Asian animals such as red pandas, Asian wild dogs, pelicans, Asian leopard cats and reindeer.

Alongside the zoo, there is the Jolly Farm and Barn, a great spot for the littlest kids to meet all their favourite barnyard animals – get involved in feedings here or just have a ride on the land train (really just a big tractor!). If you and the kids need a break from the fauna, there are plenty of other things to do on-site including indoor and outdoor play areas, the Follystone Racetrack and a vintage fairground with 18 exhilarating rides.

Pembroke Castle – best for historians

Take a step back in time at one of the most magnificent castles in Wales. From the moment you lay eyes on this imposing fortress, you get a real feel for how hard it must have been for invaders to sack Pembroke Castle. Standing tall on a promontory that juts out into a wide section of the Pembroke River, this commanding citadel still has all the grandeur that it would have exuded during its 11^th-century and 12^th-century construction.

Explore the birthplace of Henry VII on a free guided tour or just peruse the exhibits at your own pace before pretending to be a weatherman on the world's largest map of Wales. There are regular events at Pembroke Castle so keep your eyes peeled for those and if you fancy going subterranean, head down to Wogan Cavern, where you might spot greater horseshoe bats if you’re lucky. This underground cave was used as a store during the Middle Ages but it has ties to the Roman era and even to Mesolithic hunter-gatherers around 11,000 years ago.

National Botanic Garden of Wales – best for those with green fingers

A trip to the National Botanical Garden of Wales is sure to live long in the memory. Much like the iconic biomes at Cornwall’s Eden Project, the remarkable Great Glasshouse is the standout feature of this incredible West Wales attraction. The centre takes part in some great conservation work and houses endangered plants from California, Australia, the Canary Islands, Chile, South Africa, and the Mediterranean Basin. If the warmth and humidity of the dome has you hankering for an outdoor hike, there are 500 acres of recently restored parkland and the Waun Las Nature Reserve to explore.

Add to this the Gruffalo Trail, where the youngsters in your group can hunt out the expertly carved wooden statues from the beloved story, and the British Bird of Prey Centre, which focuses solely on native species, and you’ve got yourselves a great itinerary of things to do in West Wales. There are also all manner of events and courses to take part in on their What’s on page (including candle-making courses and musical workshops) and there’s even an outdoor cinema during the summer months.

Oakwood Theme Park – best for thrill seekers

History and flowers are fine but if you’re after a slice of high-octane pie, then there’s really only one option in West Wales. Oakwood Theme Park is Wales’ biggest theme park but that’s not to say it’s only for adults and older kids; there are plenty of toddler-friendly rides too. Explore the wonders of Neverland with its indoor play area, themed rides, and rollercoasters suitable for little ones.

However, when the time comes for thrills and spills, you’re in for a treat. Megafobia has often been voted the UK’s no.1 wooden rollercoaster – head there on a rainy day to experience an even faster ride. Line up for Speed, the fastest ride in Wales, or pull on your waterproofs for Drenched. And if you’ve got a head for heights, test your nerve on either Bounce or Vertigo. There are even late-night riding sessions available for the night owls – no matter what you choose to do at Oakwood, you’re set for an exhilarating time!

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – best for walkers

If you’re an avid walker who likes a degree of variety to your rambles and ambles, you could do a lot worse than Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The Preseli Hills and its surrounding countryside provide a rural haven for those who love inland strolls, but the real gems are to be found along the 186 miles of blissful coastline that make up the walks of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

You’ll discover rugged clifftops and both hidden coves and wide-open beaches on your travels and if the 186 miles of coast path doesn’t quench your thirst for exploring Pembrokeshire, try your hand/foot at the 600 miles of public footpaths and bridleways that crisscross and intertwine through the national park. Highlights include the Marloes Peninsula where you can spot soaring sea birds, seals and even a shipwreck, and the Blue Lagoon where the shimmering, sheltered waters will no doubt entice you in for a spot of wild swimming.

Barafundle Bay – best for beach lovers

Sticking with the coastal theme, you can’t visit West Wales without having at least one beach day. It’s by far one of the best activities on offer in Wales and with the likes of Rhossili Bay, Three Cliffs Bay, Tenby and Broad Haven, you are certainly spoilt for choice. However, if we had to choose just one beach in West Wales, we’d opt for Caribbean-esque Barafundle Bay, truly a jewel in Pembrokeshire’s crown.

Backed by dunes and bordered by pine trees to one side and a ruined stone wall and arch to the other, this east-facing beach is owned by the National Trust and is an enviable spot for swimming, paddleboarding or simply relaxing on the soft sands. Despite its beauty, you might not find it overcrowded. This is due to the beach only being reachable from the coastal path and access involves steep steps, which is likely to put some people off. If you have the energy after a sun-sapping morning on the beach, walk around some of the coastal path towards Bosherston Lily Ponds where you’ll be able to observe otters, wildfowl and dragonflies.

In the Welsh Wind – best for connoisseurs

If you’re in the vicinity of Cardigan Bay and you fancy yourself as a connoisseur of fine spirits, it would be careless not to pay a visit to In the Welsh Wind, an award-winning distillery specialising in Welsh gin, rum, vodka and whisky. The distillery and shop are open all day, six days a week so pop in to take a look at the stills and find out how they do what they do – you might even be tempted by a cheeky cocktail at their bar (you are on holiday, after all).

If you want to delve in a little deeper, you can book a tour of the distillery or even a gin-making experience where you’ll get to spend 2 hours using a custom-designed mini-still before tasting and bottling your very own gin. If the tasting part of that sentence interests you most, you can sample three exquisite gins sandwiched between two ice-cold gin and tonics during a gin-tasting experience. This includes a tour of the distillery. Finally, there is a cocktail-making masterclass for those who love to push the boundaries of creation.

Gower Festival – best for music lovers

The story of the Gower Festival is that in 1976, an Oxford cellist had the ambitious dream of bringing 31 concerts to Gower’s churches for the last two weeks of August. What flowered thereafter was a carefully curated repertoire of annual performances by esteemed international musicians, from pianists and string quartets to classical guitarists and lutenists.

Now, nearly 50 years on, the festival still attracts the global big guns and has Sir Karl Jenkins as its president, a man who is among the most performed living composers in the world and has the unique status of having achieved 1,000 weeks in the UK Classical Chart. The performances still take part in Gower’s ancient and atmospheric churches, meaning that the concerts remain intimate and you can pick and choose what you want to see. As well as the traditional summer shows, there are now spring and autumn offerings including jazz and big band shows, and poetry evenings.

Ceredigion – best for foodies

If you’re looking for the best food that Wales has to offer, look no further than Ceredigion, a county home to seafood from Cardigan Bay, freshwater fish from the Teifi, and lamb from the Cambrian Mountains. Aberystwyth is a must if you’re on the Coastal Way. Stop in at Ultracomida, a Spanish/Welsh tapas restaurant and delicatessen where you can sample delectable plates of food and even pick up a gift in the wine shop and deli.

In West Wales and The Valleys, there are no less than 49 award-winning restaurants. This list comprises three Michelin Star restaurants and 44 with AA Rosettes, so you really do have a lot of choice if you want to fine dine. If your cottage vacation coincides with a special occasion and you want to make it a night to remember, we recommend heading just outside of Ceredigion and visiting  Ynyshir in Machynlleth. Forever pushing culinary boundaries, this restaurant borrows heavily from Asian cuisine, has a DJ curating the evening’s music and currently holds two Michelin Stars and AA Rosettes.

Narberth – best for shopping

Just 11 miles east of county town Haverfordwest, Narberth is a somewhat humble town of fewer than 3,000 people at the eastern end of Pembrokeshire. This humility comes despite the accolades heaped upon the town, with The Sunday Times previously announcing it the best place to live in Wales. Upon visiting, you’ll find a delightful high street surrounded by ample independent jewellery, gift, and craft shops.

Walking along the streets is like taking a step into yesteryear, with all the shops and buildings unique, not the out-of-the-box setups that you might see along more modern high streets. For example, you won’t find a Wetherspoons or a McDonald’s anywhere near the town. A stay in Narberth will see you meet numerous friendly locals as you window-shop the day away looking for bargains to take home.

Map of the best things to do in West Wales

To help with finding these great attractions and locations, we've created this handy map. Happy travels!

Self-catering cottages in West Wales

Where to stay in West Wales? We guess it comes down to the type of holiday you’re looking for. Is it one full of coastal trail walks, or action-packed days with the kids, or just the two of you and some great meals out? Whatever your reason for visiting West Wales, we have the cottage for you – just tap the button below to get searching.

Cottages in West Wales