Easter Days Out in West Wales: Family Events and Attractions

With Easter on the horizon – and approaching faster than any of us might care to realise, parents and grandparents up and down the land will already have one thought looming in their minds: what to do with the kids once the schools break up. This year, the school term will come to an end on Friday, March 27, and start again on Monday, April 13. That’s two full weeks of activities to arrange. The Easter weekend itself begins with Good Friday on April 3 and runs until Easter Monday on April 6. How then to keep the youngsters entertained and amused, and hopefully out in the great outdoors and away from screens and tablets for just a few hours at least. Fortunately, there is always plenty of things to do and lots of places to visit over the break here in West Wales, and with the longer days and – fingers crossed – better weather, there’s no end of events and entertainments for the whole family to enjoy.

Here at West Wales Life&Style, we have perused the calendar for ideas and chosen a selection of some of the best events taking place over Easter. Of course, there are plenty more activities and events for all the family going on, but here are just a few that caught out attention.

Easter Egg Hunt at Dinefwr Park and Castle One of the most picturesque estates in West Wales becomes an Easter playground each spring. At Dinefwr, families can follow a half-mile outdoor trail through the historic parkland, tackling nature-inspired challenges along the way. Expect activities such as balancing like birds, crafting clay creations and exploring the grounds as you search for clues. The trail runs daily from March 28 to April 6, and participants receive a chocolate egg at the finish line. The relaxed, self-guided format makes it ideal for families with younger children who want to explore at their own pace. Set beside the River Tywi and overlooked by medieval castle ruins, the estate provides a wonderfully atmospheric setting for an Easter adventure. Adventure Trail at Llanerchaeron Estate Just outside Aberaeron, the elegant Georgian estate of Llanerchaeron offers another classic National Trust Easter experience. From March 25 to April 12, children can follow a trail through gardens, farmyard and woodland while completing themed activities along the way.

Easter trails and outdoor adventures

Alongside the trail sheet, youngsters are given bunny ears and a chocolate egg — a small touch that adds to the festive atmosphere. The estate itself is worth exploring beyond the hunt: designed in the 1790s by architect John Nash, it features walled gardens, working farm buildings and sweeping parkland overlooking the Aeron Valley. Gozzle at WWT Llanelli Families are invited to enjoy a season of firsts this spring as WWT Llanelli is teaming up with Macmillan Children’s Books to explore the wonderful world of wetlands with Gozzle, a freshly hatched gosling discovering what it takes to grow up. From March 20 until May 31, visitors can follow Gozzle’s journey through the wetlands at WWT Llanelli, as they awaken for spring. Inspired by Gozzle, the new picture book by award-winning Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie, the experience brings storytelling off the page and into nature through outdoor play, exploration and imagination. Additional activities during the Easter holidays include Gozzle’s Vet Check station, where animal helpers can nurse a toy goose back to health. Children can explore x-rays, learn how birds are measured and handled, and discover how WWT, the wetland charity, cares for its feathered residents, just like a real vet. Easter Sheep Trail at National Wool Museum In the Teifi Valley village of Drefach Felindre, Easter takes on a delightfully woolly twist. The National Wool Museum runs a playful Easter Sheep Trail across several days during the school holidays. Families explore the museum searching for colourful sheep hidden around the historic textile mill, turning a visit into an interactive adventure. The event runs on selected dates from March 28 to April 11, and admission to the museum remains free. It’s a great option for a rainy spring day, combining hands-on learning with a festive activity that keeps younger visitors entertained.

A Train Ride with the Easter Bunny Railway fans — young and old — can climb aboard a heritage train of the Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway for a very special Easter journey. The Cynheidre Heritage Railway hosts its popular “Ride with the Easter Bunny” event, featuring unlimited train rides through woodland and countryside. Children are greeted by the Easter Bunny himself and receive a chocolate egg, while other attractions often include face painting, scavenger hunts and bonnet competitions. The nostalgic charm of the restored railway line adds a unique twist to traditional Easter celebrations. The Great Golden Egg Hunt Carew Castle is always full of surprises – and Easter is no different. From Sunday, March 28, until Sunday, April 19, the castle and its ground will be filled with golden eggs.

Youngsters and their families are invited to search the castle, peeking into all the hidden nooks and crannies to discover every glimmering egg. Find them all, collect your prize, and become the ultimate egg-hunting champion this Easter.

A wider perspective

The activity is self-led and involves using a smart phone so families can enjoy the hunt at their own pace. Join the Bee Wild Club The National Botanic Garden of Wales at Llanarthne is inviting youngsters of all ages to join its Bee Wild Club this Easter.

Garden staff will be filling the week with crafts and fun that little ones will love, including sessions to build a butterfly kite and create your own caterpillar crafts. There will also be lots more fabulously fun hands-on activities. To join the Bee Wild Club, visit the stand at the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse. All Bee Wild activities are free drop-in sessions with Garden admission and run from Tuesday, March 31, until Monday, April 6. Tŷ Easter trail at Milford Waterfront Embark on a fun-filled Easter adventure at Milford Waterfront with prizes galore. Between March 27 and April 18, you can explore the marina, solve the clues, and return to collect your bag of goodies. Inside, you’ll find a drawstring bag, cool sunglasses, a tasty Easter egg, a colouring pack, and a handy water bottle. Collect your Easter trail clues and prize from the Airstream. Take a trip to Caldey Island For those hoping to find a more tranquil way to spend the Easter break, why not consider taking a trip to Caldey Island.

The island reopens to visitors after winter from the Easter holidays (weather permitting) and ferry trips run until the end of October. Cradled in the magnificent South Pembrokeshire coastline off the coast of Tenby, it is one of Britain's holy islands with Cistercian monks inhabiting the land and continuing traditions established in Celtic times. More than a thousand years of prayer and quiet living have made this remote and beautiful island a haven of tranquillity and peace. If your holidays for Easter are all about peace and a slower pace of travel, a day trip to Caldey Island is well worth considering. While these are just a few suggestions for your Easter break, remember there will be dozens and dozens of other events taking place all across the three counties. So make sure you make the most of the holiday and get outside to enjoy West Wales this Easter.