What kind of day do you fancy?

Day one

A Slow Day

Llanidloes, a lovely lunch and an early return to the hot tub

If you want a gentle introduction to the area, head to Llanidloes, known locally as Llani. It is a small, colourful market town with historic streets, independent shops and just enough going on to reward a slow wander.

Our favourite lunch stop is the Wild Oak Café, with colourful, generous food that feels exactly right after a walk. Vicky is particularly fond of the salad bowls: choose a main and add a couple of their imaginative salads. They are delicious, filling and far more exciting than the words “salad bowl” might suggest.

After lunch, explore the streets around the Old Market Hall or stretch your legs along a short section of Glyndŵr’s Way. The full National Trail is 135 miles long, but there is absolutely no obligation to walk all of it. Choose a manageable section, turn back when it feels right, enjoy the rolling hills and return to Llani for a final potter.

If you would rather spend the day with wildlife, collect picnic supplies and head to RSPB Ynys-hir instead. Take binoculars, follow whichever trail appeals and allow the reserve to set the pace. It is not a place to rush. Please note that only assistance dogs are allowed on the reserve.

Then come back to Fronlwyd while there is still plenty of day left. Light the wood-fired hot tub, open something nice and watch the hills change colour.

Day two

A Mountain Day

Big views, quiet paths and the pleasure of earning your supper

There are several wonderful ways to spend a mountain day from Fronlwyd. These are the ones we return to.

Stay within the Cambrian Mountains

For a quieter, more flexible day, explore the hills, forests and reservoirs of the Cambrian Mountains. This is wild, open country without the crowds found in Wales’s better known national parks.

Choose a route around Llyn Clywedog, explore the paths above Llanidloes or walk through Hafren Forest, where the River Severn begins. Pack lunch, take proper footwear and allow time to stop whenever the view demands it.

This is our choice when we want space, silence and the feeling that we have slipped away from everything.

Our family favourite, Aran Fawddwy

Aran Fawddwy is one of Vicky’s favourite walks. She walked it with the children when they were younger and still remembers what a special day it was. It is challenging, quiet and immensely rewarding, with the kind of mountain views that stay with you long after the walk is over.

The route from Cwm Cywarch is around seven miles and is not fully waymarked, so this is one for confident walkers with proper footwear, a map and a good forecast. Start early, take plenty of food and water, and be prepared to turn back if conditions change. On a clear day, it is a magnificent adventure.

Make a day of Cadair Idris

For a proper mountain adventure, drive west towards Cadair Idris. It has all the drama and beauty people travel to Yr Wyddfa for, but can feel much quieter. On the right day, you may have great stretches of the mountain almost to yourself.

The Minffordd route climbs through woodland before reaching Llyn Cau, an extraordinary glacial lake beneath the mountain. Continuing to the summit makes this a serious day out, so check the forecast, start early and choose a route that suits everyone in your group. Turning back at the lake can still make a magnificent walk.

We like to stop in Machynlleth for picnic provisions on the way. A mountain sandwich always tastes better when eaten beside a lake.

Back at Fronlwyd, muddy boots come off, the hot tub goes on and supper can be as uncomplicated as possible.

Good to know: Conditions can change quickly in the Welsh mountains. Take a map, water, warm layers and suitable footwear, even if the valley is sunny. Please plan your route before setting out.

Day three

A Coast Day

Walk from Borth to Aberystwyth, then sauna, swim and eat

This is one of our favourite full days.

Drive to Borth, park near the station and follow the Wales Coast Path south towards Aberystwyth. It is roughly six miles, with a few proper climbs and descents rather than a completely gentle promenade. The reward is a glorious stretch of coast, high cliffs, hidden coves and wide Cardigan Bay views. Keep an eye out for dolphins, although they make no promises.

As you reach Aberystwyth, the route brings you towards Constitution Hill. Stop for the view or take the cliff railway down if your legs have decided they have done enough.

The especially good part comes next. Book a session at Aberpoeth, the seafront sauna on Aberystwyth’s North Beach. Warm up, cool off with a sea dip if conditions are safe, then warm up all over again. Advance booking is essential.

Afterwards, find somewhere for a relaxed lunch or early supper in Aberystwyth. Then catch the train back to Borth to collect the car. It is a brilliantly satisfying little journey and saves retracing your steps.

Please plan this one before leaving: Book the sauna, check the weather and coastal conditions, and look up the return train time. Never enter rough water and do not swim alone.

A gentler coast day

If you want the sea without the six mile walk, head to Ynyslas for enormous skies, dunes and the meeting point of sea and estuary. Continue to Aberdyfi for a wander, a beach walk and something to eat beside the water.

For a proper seaside treat, stop at Walker’s in Aberdyfi for something hot to eat by the water. Check the current menu and opening hours before making a special journey.

Day four

A Rainy Day

Independent shops, excellent coffee and Britain’s best independent cinema

Rain is not a failed holiday in Wales. Sometimes it simply decides the shape of the day for you.

Begin in Machynlleth, known locally as Mach. It is a characterful, creative little town with independent shops, galleries, bookshops and a lively Wednesday market.

Start with a coffee at Hermit Crab. Find a window seat if you can, drink something properly made and enjoy a little people watching. Mach is particularly good for it.

Depending on opening days, browse MOMA Machynlleth, investigate the town’s shops or stock up on treats and picnic supplies at Dyfi Wholefoods. There is no need to turn the day into a military operation. The point is to potter.

Then drive to Tywyn for a film at The Magic Lantern. This is no ordinary rainy day fallback. It was named the inaugural BIFA UK Cinema of the Year in 2025 and has been showing films in its historic building for more than 120 years.

There are proper drinks, food brought to your seat, tables beside the chairs and a programme that can include new releases, independent films, live music, comedy and theatre screenings.

Check the programme before you leave Fronlwyd and build the rest of your day around the screening.

Day five

A Family Adventure Day

Underground trampolines, zip wires and a rollercoaster through the forest

This one is a drive, but for energetic families it can be one of the most talked about days of the holiday.

Zip World Llechwedd, near Blaenau Ffestiniog, is home to Bounce Below: a series of enormous trampoline-style nets suspended inside a former slate cavern. There are also underground adventures and zip lines for those who want to take the excitement further.

At Zip World Betws-y-Coed, the Fforest Coaster twists through the trees on an alpine-style track. The site also offers high ropes and treetop adventures for different ages and confidence levels.

The two sites are not in the same place, so check activities, age and height restrictions carefully before booking. Trying to fit everything into one day may be overambitious. Choose the experience your family will love most and leave enough time to enjoy the journey.

Book ahead, wear suitable clothes and take dry layers. Then return to Fronlwyd, feed everyone and let the grown ups recover in the hot tub.

Day six

An Evening Out or In

Sunset, supper and the moment everyone looks up

After a full day, you may be happiest staying at Fronlwyd. Both properties have equipped kitchens, private wood-fired hot tubs and the sort of views that make going out feel unnecessary.

On a clear evening, take a drink outside, let your eyes adjust and look up. Fronlwyd sits beneath a wonderfully dark rural sky, around Bortle Class 3, so the stars can be astonishing. Depending on the season and conditions, you may see the Milky Way, planets, satellites and shooting stars.

There are owls all around Fronlwyd, so listen for them while you are in the hot tub. Watch for bats too. Wrap up warmly, even after a sunny day, and give your eyes at least twenty minutes to adjust to the dark.

If the coast is calling

For sunset beside the sea, head towards Borth, Aberystwyth, Ynyslas or Aberdyfi. Check the sunset time, take warm layers and leave enough time to choose your spot without rushing.

Then come home carefully along the dark country roads. The stars will still be waiting when you arrive.