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12 THINGS TO SEE & DO IN CARDIFF THIS MAY HALF TERM

Wednesday 1 May 2024


 

School’s out for the Half Term so Visit Cardiff have put together a guide of 10 exciting things to do to enjoy as a family. Scroll for ticketed attractions and events, fun & free activities you can be more spontaneous with, a link to family-friendly hotels in case you want to extend your stay a little longer, and some practical advice that you may need to know.

Don’t forget – this is just a small selection of the many attractions & events going on in the city. Make sure you take a look at our See & Do & Events pages for more.

Nestled in Llantrisant, just half an hours’ drive from Cardiff City Centre, you’ll find Garth Hall Farm. Meet all of their friendly alpacas over half term. Whether you want to just visit, or take one for a walk, the farm can cater for it all.

Find out more information on the website here. Special arrangements can be made for large parties by calling Helen on 07399696742.

Step back in time and explore the hidden world of Victorian and Edwardian servants at Insole Court’s fascinating Servants Exhibition. Nestled in the heart of Cardiff, Insole Court invites you to delve into the lives of the people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the grand house running smoothly. Discover authentic artefacts, detailed displays, and captivating stories that bring to life the daily routines, challenges, and triumphs of the household staff.

This immersive exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the often-overlooked history of domestic service, shedding light on the essential roles these individuals played. Perfect for history enthusiasts and curious minds alike, the Servants Exhibition promises a unique and engaging experience that will transport you to a bygone era. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the past in a truly memorable way at Insole Court. Visit today and uncover the stories that shaped history. Find out more here.

3. ENJOY HALF TERM FUN AT CARDIFF CASTLE

Entertain the family and enjoy the immersive family attraction, ‘Black Tower Tales’ that brings a turbulent period of Welsh history to life, where you will discover the story of Local Welsh hero Llywelyn Bren’s medieval struggle against the oppressive Sherriff of Glamorgan.

Black Tour Tales can be purchased at the Ticket Office with a General Admission ticket. More information here.

Get ready to release some energy at Techniquest this half-term with over 100 hands-on exhibits to explore. Build digital fireworks, get blown away by our hurricane exhibit, follow the ants around their colony, dock a spacecraft, or just enjoy the ginormous silver slide!

If the sun’s shining, you and the family can cool off in our Water Area before stopping by Coffee Mania for a bite to eat and an ice cold drink. And if that’s not enough, add on a Star Tour or the brilliant Bubbles and Blasts live science show for an extra treat — or book a Cosmetic Chemistry workshop in our KLA Lab if you’re lucky enough to be aged nine or over. There, you’ll get to customise your very own bath bomb and take it home with you.

Spaces tend to fill up very quickly so make sure to book ahead online here.

5. WORK AS A TEAM AT ESCAPE ROOMS CARDIFF

Come and see for yourself why Escape Rooms Cardiff is so much fun!

Choose your team of 2-6 players (per room). Select your theme from our 6 immersive game rooms. You’ll be given an objective and you’ll need to find objects, codes and clues in the rooms. With 60 minutes on the clock, you’ll need to think quick, think smart and work as a team if you want to make it out in time. Peckish after all that hard work? Don’t forget you get 25% off Zizzi Italian with your booking confirmation! Find out more here.

Head to Central Square and step into the future of broadcasting at BBC’s newest and most advanced studios. Join the friendly guides for an exclusive behind-the-scenes award-winning tour of BBC Cymru Wales. Visit the state-of-the-art television and radio studios to discover the secrets of making a BBC programme.

BBC Central Square has received a coveted Visit Wales gold award and Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award for the quality of its tours.

On your journey you will:

  • Visit one of the largest BBC newsrooms, packed with cutting-edge technology including augmented reality, virtual reality and robotic cameras
  • Take a sneak peek at TV galleries and other broadcast facilities

Each walking tour will last approximately 90 minutes. As a live and working broadcast centre, no two tours are the same, so every visit will be unique. For tickets and more information click here.

Kick off the summer of sport this half term with our kids Champions Treasure Hunt at John Lewis Cardiff. Collect your entry form from Customer Services on floor 1 and find 6 hidden letters around the store to collect a prize. Kids Eat Free in the Place to Eat 24th May – 2nd June.

The Kids Eat Free promotion entitles the customer to a free child’s meal when purchasing a minimum of £10 on an adults meal in the Place to Eat. The £10 minimum spend is applicable on all categories except breakfast, alcohol and kid’s menu items. Find out more here.

Discover the wonders of Cardiff with your family and take advantage of the new thoughtful amenities designed to keep everyone entertained. Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at the newly opened Browns Brasserie and Bar within the hotel, before exploring nearby highlights like Cardiff Castle and the National Museum Cardiff.

For shopping enthusiasts, the bustling St. David’s Dewi Sant shopping centre and John Lewis are just a short walk away. Spend your afternoons strolling along Cardiff Bay, enjoying the scenic views, or catching the latest show at the Wales Millennium Centre. After a day of sightseeing, unwind in our spacious, modern family rooms. Book your stay with a Family Explorer Package, which includes a children’s pack, a choice of soft drink, and a cookie or chocolate from the grab & go on arrival. Enjoy a memorable family getaway with Cardiff Marriott hotel. Book online here.

This half term, you and the kids can have a whole heap of jungle fun at Treetop Golf! Treetop Adventure Golf is home to two 18-hole mini golf courses where the whole family can test out their putting skills. Alongside the entertaining golf course that we know and love, you can enjoy even more this school holiday…

  • Free face painting on Bank Holiday Monday 27th, Tuesday 28th & Wednesday 29th May from 12-4pm
  • Delicious new Jungle Shakes (choose from Chocky-Wocky, Strawberry Slurp, Bananarama or Mango-Go-Go)
  • Family Saver tickets available all day, everyday
  • Extended opening hours, for even more golfing fun!

Book online here.

St Fagans National Museum of History has been Wales’s most popular heritage attraction for many years. This museum holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Wales because it is a people’s museum, where you can explore history together through people’s everyday lives.

See how people in Wales have lived, worked and spent their leisure time. The re-erected buildings include farmhouses, a row of ironworkers’ cottages, a medieval church, a Victorian school, a chapel and a splendid Workmen’s Institute which you can go inside and explore. Find out more here.

Family Adventures start with the Clayton Hotel Cardiff. We can be the base for your family as you explore the city which is right at your doorstep. Enjoy a Clayton signature vitality breakfast to fuel you up for the day as well as a packed lunch and city map – everything you need for the perfect Cardiff Adventure! Book online here.

 

Red Dragon Centre

Looking for the perfect destination to treat the kids this half term? The Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay has got you covered with fun-fuelled activities, free customer parking, and great places to eat all in one place! Inside you’ll find blockbuster entertainment at ODEON cinema which boasts South Wales’ only IMAX screen, as well as epic bowling and arcades galore at Hollywood Bowl. You certainly won’t go hungry here either, as there are plenty of options for family dining, from grab and go to sit-down meals at pocket friendly prices.

It’s really no surprise this entertainment hotspot has been such a family favourite for so long. With everything under one gigantic roof, it’s the perfect destination for half term come rain or shine. See what’s on here.


FANCY MAKING A CITY BREAK OF IT?

Visit our stay page for accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. Want to know more about transport, or need to download a map? Check out our visitor information page.
Let us know what you got up to during the May Half Term, we would love to see your photos! Use #VisitCardiff.