Surviving the Summer Holidays - Western Bay Adoption Services

Margam Country Park (lovely walks; adventure, orangery open and farm trail; café for takeaway only and have to use card only – toilets also open) you need to pay for the car park.

Swansea Bay. Many miles of beautiful promenade, breath taking views and lots of local parks and leisure attractions.

Porthcawl seafront and beach. Walk or bikes along sea front: ice cream take-aways are open and chip shops. No toilets open yet.

Aberavon seafront – great smooth stretch, great for bikes and walking. Some takeaway cafes are open. Card only for some.

Afan Forest Park in Port Talbot. Former railway line in the valley – lovely scenery. You can hire bikes or take your own. Bike riding or walking. Car parks and toilets are open and you can hire bikes from the centre there from 17 August.

Gower Adventures states they are accepting bookings from 6 July for family groups only. Parents would need to phone to find out what activities are on offer. Their website includes sea kayaking, climbing, caving, body boarding, coastal walking, canoeing etc.

Stand Up Paddle Gower open on 13 July. They provide stand up paddle-board lessons in Mumbles.

Oakwood Park opening Monday 2 July: phone and book, safety restrictions will apply.

Folly Farm opened 13 July (or 8 July for annual passers) you must pre-book – safety video online. You can use Tesco club card vouchers to pay.

St Fagans opening four days a week from 4August : you will need to pre-book.
Cardiff Bay to Penarth – great for walking and bike riding: Skate park open and take away drinks and ice creams.
Bristol Zoo open online tickets only. Closes at 5.30pm.
Cadw have opened up their castles. So you could visit a castle and bring a picnic. Check websites before visiting. Here are the castles, which have now re-opened to the public. Bridgend: Coity Castle; Newcastle ; Ogmore Castle & Ogmore Stepping Stones. Carmarthenshire: Dinefwr Castle; Dryslwyn Castle; Llansteffan Castle. Swansea and Gower: Oystermouth Castle, Pennard Castle.

Check out Seaquest a local organisation in Porthcawl that usually runs many fun beach and nature activities for families. They are not currently operating but have released many fun activities/resources that families can print off to use when visiting beaches.

Look at Time Out or Time In as it’s called at the moment. You can do virtual museum Tours of every major London museum and gallery; including: the Natural History Museum and Tate kids.

Draw with Rob: All the family can draw with Rob. Lovely and do-able. Have a go…it’s addictive.

For young people, check out Swansea YMCA. Thy have online youth groups and online music sessions.

Libraries in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend have their own Facebook pages offering fun things to do to keep children occupied; including Lego challenges, craft activities, book quizzes and story time for little ones.

Swansea Wellbeing Centre are offering on line classes via Zoom (Pilates, writing for wellbeing, Dance/exercise, meditation, evening yoga.) They also do a children’s yoga on a Wednesday at 9.30 am, and a teen one at 10.30.

Swansea Carer’s Centre have a list of things going on in the local area. They also offer Mind, Body and Spirit activities for 18 +, so parents may be able to tap in to those (contact number 01792 653344). There are also carer’s centres in NPT and Bridgend.

ParkLives offers free activities in local parks, from walks in the Gower, circuits, skating and Yoga. Check website for further details.

Swansea Mind are offering two anxiety sessions during the holidays and a parent’s workshop too. They will announce details on their Facebook page.

Swansea Bay and beyond Additional Needs Activities and Event a great resource which is run by parents. They have a Facebook group, a calendar of events and local orgs who offer support.

Enjoy folks. For more information on our adoption support services click here.