Wales


<p>Some only throw open their doors for a few weeks each year, while others save their finest displays for the summer holidays, but Wales&#8217; manor houses, castles and historic estates make for a cracking day out – whether you&#8217;ve got the kids in tow or you&#8217;re simply indulging your inner history buff. Pack a picnic, claim a sunny spot on the lawn and swap screens for centuries of stories, secret gardens and the sort of views that make you wonder why you don&#8217;t do this more often.</p>



<p>Better still, tickets often cost less than a trip to the cinema or an afternoon at the arcade, with every visit helping to preserve these remarkable places for future generations. If you&#8217;ve managed to get your hands on one of the free National Trust family passes doing the rounds, now&#8217;s the perfect excuse to put it to good use. If not, <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Trust</a>, <a href="https://cadw.gov.wales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cadw</a> and <a href="https://www.historichouses.wales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historic Houses</a> all offer great-value family tickets and regular seasonal offers, so exploring a little local history needn&#8217;t cost a king&#8217;s ransom.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tredegar-house-newport"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/tredegar-house" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tredegar House</a>, Newport</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Tredegar-House-Newport.png" alt="Tredegar House, Newport" class="wp-image-8816" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Tredegar-House-Newport.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Tredegar-House-Newport-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Tredegar-House-Newport-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Tredegar-House-Newport-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Tredegar House has been at the heart of Newport for more than 500 years and it wears its history rather well. One of the finest 17th-century mansions in Wales, this magnificent red-brick estate is home to 90 acres of parkland, woodland walks and immaculate formal gardens. Once home to the powerful Morgan family, whose influence stretched across south east Wales, there&#8217;s plenty to discover behind those grand doors, too. Pack a picnic, wander the grounds and don&#8217;t be surprised if a quick afternoon visit turns into an all-day affair.</p>



<p><strong>What&#8217;s on this summer</strong>: <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/tredegar-house/events/31d32a3a-ef14-46cd-bf22-a558afb23c36" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pokémon</a> TCG Mega Evolution Trail, crafts, and meet Pikachu (until <strong>Sept 2</strong>).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nantclwyd-y-dre-ruthin"><a href="https://www.historichouses.org/house/nantclwyd-y-dre/history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nantclwyd y Dre</a>, Ruthin</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Nantclwyd-y-Dre-Ruthin.png" alt="Nantclwyd y Dre, Ruthin" class="wp-image-8818" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Nantclwyd-y-Dre-Ruthin.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Nantclwyd-y-Dre-Ruthin-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Nantclwyd-y-Dre-Ruthin-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Nantclwyd-y-Dre-Ruthin-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Dating back to 1435, Nantclwyd y Dre has packed a lot into its lifetime. One of the oldest timber-framed houses in Wales, this Grade I listed gem in the heart of Ruthin has been everything from a Weaver&#8217;s Hall and girls&#8217; school to a judges&#8217; lodge. The gardens are just as fascinating, with medieval roots, wildflower meadows, vegetable plots and views towards both Ruthin Castle and the town&#8217;s historic gaol. And if all that wasn&#8217;t enough, keep an eye out for its most famous residents – a colony of protected lesser horseshoe bats.</p>



<p><strong>What&#8217;s on this summer</strong>: Craft a Tudor ruff for your teddy, send your teddy down the zipline, push your teddy on the teddy swing and enjoy plenty of photo opportunities on <a href="https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/leisure-and-tourism/museums-and-historic-houses/nantclwyd-y-dre/teddy-day.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Teddy Day</a> (<strong>18 Jul</strong>).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plas-newydd-house-anglesey"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/plas-newydd-house-and-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plas Newydd House</a>, Anglesey</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Plas-Newydd-House-Anglesey.png" alt="Plas Newydd House, Anglesey" class="wp-image-8819" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Plas-Newydd-House-Anglesey.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Plas-Newydd-House-Anglesey-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Plas-Newydd-House-Anglesey-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Plas-Newydd-House-Anglesey-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Few views in Wales can compete with Plas Newydd. Sitting on the shores of the Menai Strait with Snowdonia rising in the distance, this Grade I listed house comes with 40 acres of gardens and another 129 acres of woodland and parkland to explore. Inside, you&#8217;ll find military history, art and theatre, along with the wonderfully flamboyant story of Henry Cyril Paget, the extravagant 5th Marquess of Anglesey whose legendary parties and theatrical performances transformed the estate into one of Wales&#8217; most fascinating homes – recently depicted in the wonderful film, <em>Madfabulous</em>, with Callum Scott Howells. If walls could talk&#8230;</p>



<p><strong>What&#8217;s on this summer</strong>: Discover more about the 5th Marquess of Anglesey, including five costumes from the film Madfabulous with <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/plas-newydd-house-and-garden/events/0f665037-fbb4-4aca-b5fd-2be8ff53368e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">All Dressed Up</a> (until <strong>31 Oct</strong>), and take part in a <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/plas-newydd-house-and-garden/events/fa268b5f-bc34-47eb-b08f-fa1b660e70e8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">guided red squirrel walks</a> (until <strong>31 Oct</strong>).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fonmon-castle-and-gardens-barry"><a href="https://fonmoncastle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fonmon Castle and Gardens</a>, Barry</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Fonmon-Castle-and-Gardens-Barry.png" alt="Fonmon Castle and Gardens, Barry" class="wp-image-8820" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Fonmon-Castle-and-Gardens-Barry.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Fonmon-Castle-and-Gardens-Barry-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Fonmon-Castle-and-Gardens-Barry-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Fonmon-Castle-and-Gardens-Barry-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If you think a day at a historic house means shuffling quietly from one drawing room to the next, Fonmon Castle is here to prove you wrong. Alongside the castle and gardens, you&#8217;ll find Jurassic Wales, woodland trails, medieval-inspired adventures, archery and even disc golf – making it a brilliant shout for families with energy to burn. Four-legged family members are welcome too, so don&#8217;t miss a pit stop at Lady Ann&#8217;s Tea Room for a well-earned doggy ice cream. And behind the scenes, the estate is still writing its story, with archaeological digs, wildflower projects and wildlife conservation all helping to shape its next chapter.</p>



<p><strong>What&#8217;s on this summer</strong>: Join the practically perfect nanny for a delightful live show filled with songs, laughter and interactive fun for the whole family with <a href="https://fonmoncastle.com/whats-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Poppins at The Castle</a> (<strong>15-16 Aug</strong>), and enjoy an action packed day with the <a href="https://fonmoncastle.com/whats-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Superhero Bank Holiday Weekend</a> and everybody&#8217;s favourite superheroes (<strong>29-31 Aug</strong>).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-erddig-wrexham"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/erddig" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Erddig</a>, Wrexham</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Erddig-Wrexham-1.png" alt="Erddig, Wrexham" class="wp-image-8821" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Erddig-Wrexham-1.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Erddig-Wrexham-1-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Erddig-Wrexham-1-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Erddig-Wrexham-1-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Erddig has stories around every corner, from the grand family rooms upstairs to the beautifully preserved servants&#8217; quarters that offer a fascinating glimpse into life below stairs. Set above the Clywedog River, this Wrexham estate pairs rich history with some seriously gorgeous grounds, including restored 18th-century gardens, orchards, neatly clipped hedges and riverside walks that positively demand a picnic. Just don&#8217;t be surprised if you end up lingering a little longer than planned.</p>



<p><strong>What&#8217;s on this summer</strong>: Learn about the archaeology and history of the lost village of Felin Puleston and enjoy family activities at the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/erddig/events/8d0fc01f-a111-4044-9cb1-5194ce33934e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Festival of Archaeology</a> (<strong>23-25 Jul</strong>), and watch outdoor theatre with <em><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/erddig/events/044052ae-1825-4463-ba82-19a9b9466472" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Othello</a></em> from The Lord Chamberlain’s Men (<strong>25 Aug</strong>).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-llanerchaeron-lampeter"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/llanerchaeron" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Llanerchaeron</a>, Lampeter</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Llanerchaeron-Lampeter.png" alt="Llanerchaeron, Lampeter" class="wp-image-8822" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Llanerchaeron-Lampeter.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Llanerchaeron-Lampeter-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Llanerchaeron-Lampeter-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Llanerchaeron-Lampeter-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Llanerchaeron is a beautifully preserved Georgian estate that feels untouched by time. Designed by John Nash in the 1790s, the elegant villa still retains much of its original character, from the family rooms to the fascinating servants’ courtyard with its dairy, laundry, brewery and salting house. Outside, take a stroll through the walled garden, around the ornamental lake and across the peaceful parkland, before saying hello to the farmyard residents (Welsh cobs, Welsh pigs and the rare Llanwenog sheep).</p>



<p><strong>What&#8217;s on this summer</strong>: <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/llanerchaeron/events/4883d139-7219-4a27-88e6-e89063ddc97f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Summer of Play</a> with the Stables playroom, balance bikes, Smuggler&#8217;s trail, farmyard fun and storytelling (until <strong>31 Aug</strong>).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plas-mawr-conwy"><a href="https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/plas-mawr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plas Mawr</a>, Conwy</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Plas-Mawr-Conwy.png" alt="Plas Mawr, Conwy" class="wp-image-8823" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Plas-Mawr-Conwy.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Plas-Mawr-Conwy-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Plas-Mawr-Conwy-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Plas-Mawr-Conwy-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Hidden behind an unassuming gateway in the heart of Conwy, Plas Mawr is one of Britain&#8217;s finest surviving Elizabethan town houses – and one of its best-preserved secrets. Built between 1576 and 1585 for wealthy merchant Robert Wynn, it&#8217;s packed with lavish rooms, intricate plasterwork and the sort of details that bring Tudor life vividly to life. Wander through all 17 beautifully restored rooms before stepping out into the recreated Elizabethan garden, lovingly brought back after centuries of change.</p>



<p><strong>What&#8217;s on this summer</strong>: At the <a href="https://cadw.gov.wales/tudor-hat-workshop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tudor Hat Workshop</a> make and decorate your own Tudor hat in atmospheric surroundings, all whilst enjoying a glass of something bubbly (<strong>18 Jul</strong>), and <a href="https://cadw.gov.wales/hidden-histories-mystery-severed-heads" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hidden Histories: The Mystery of the Severed Head</a>s (<strong>1-2 Aug</strong>) with an interactive experience to prepare for a royal visit from Queen Elizabeth I.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dyffryn-house-wenvoe"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/dyffryn-gardens" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dyffryn House</a>, Wenvoe</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Dyffryn-House-Wenvoe.png" alt="Dyffryn House, Wenvoe" class="wp-image-8824" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Dyffryn-House-Wenvoe.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Dyffryn-House-Wenvoe-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Dyffryn-House-Wenvoe-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2026/07/Dyffryn-House-Wenvoe-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Whether you&#8217;re a seasoned gardener or simply in it for the pretty views, these Grade I-listed gardens are guaranteed to impress. Wander through beautifully designed garden rooms, formal lawns, colourful borders and one of Wales’ finest arboretums, with inspiration drawn from around the world, from the Italian inspired Pompeiian Garden to the lush Exotics Garden. Created by renowned garden designer Thomas Mawson and horticulturalist Reginald Cory, the gardens continue to evolve with nature and sustainability at their heart. Factor in a lovely café, a shop, a second-hand bookshop and plenty of sunny spots to while away an afternoon, and you&#8217;ve got all the ingredients for a glorious day out. </p>



<p><strong>What&#8217;s on this summer</strong>: <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/dyffryn-gardens/events/7572fbaa-b587-430c-a951-965171c5f305" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Other Bennet Sister</em> Exhibition</a> shows parts of the estate that have been closed for conservation alongside beautiful costumes (until <strong>31 Aug</strong>).</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-for-another">TIME FOR ANOTHER?</h2>



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<li><a href="https://wales.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/best-kids-summer-holiday-camps-clubs-wales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">7 of the best kids’ summer holiday camps and clubs in Wales</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/day-trips/family-days-out-by-train-with-transport-for-wales/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">No car, no chaos: 7 family days out by train with Transport for Wales</a></li>



<li><a href="https://wales.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/best-watersports-boat-trips-wales-heatwave/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Feeling hot, hot, hot! The best watersports and boat trips near you</a></li>
</ul>


Swap the beach for grandeur: Welsh stately homes to visit this summer

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