Legendary families wanted to explore underwater worlds, tame dragons and find Welsh gold with National Trust in South West Wales this summer. Your quest awaits.

National Trust is throwing down the gauntlet this summer and inviting explorer families to challenge themselves to legendary days out across South West Wales – whilst collecting their #legendarymoments along the way to support the charity’s conservation work.

Are you brave enough to discover underwater worlds at Colby Woodland Garden, to head deep underground in search of gold at Dolaucothi, and adventure out to craggy sea coves in Pembrokeshire?

You’ll need an eagle eye to spot the rarest of wildlife (you wouldn’t want to miss the resident school of dolphins at Mwnt); lots of stamina to take on the family fitness challenge at Stackpole; and a curious mind to delve into Welsh history and heritage at Llanerchaeron and Tudor Merchant’s House. Time travelling is a must. How far back do you dare to go?

Only your imagination, wit and resourcefulness can take you to a sleeping giant sea-serpent at Rhossili, transport you to a world of power and influence at Paxton’s Tower and back in time to the year 920 at Dinefwr when the famous White Park Cattle grazed the land under Hywel Dda.

If you have what it takes to follow in the footsteps of mythical beasts, intrepid explorers and wildlife heroes, get your boots on, rucksack and binoculars at the ready; it’s time for a legendary day out.

What’s the reward for taking up the challenge we hear you ask? It’s the pride of knowing that collecting your #legendarymoments of today has helped look after South West Wales’ special places for tomorrow. Every legendary day out helps care for our dramatic landscapes, famous fortresses, glorious gardens, and great houses forever for everyone.

And don’t forget, with National Trust family membership, you can enjoy unlimited access to all of our special places in Wales.

Your quest awaits…

Top 10 legendary days out in South West Wales

1. Find your fortune at Dolaucothi Gold Mines, Carmarthenshire

Kick off your summer to remember by travelling back two thousand years to when the Romans invaded Wales on their quest for Welsh gold. Walk in their footsteps on an underground tour of the mine adits before trying your luck at gold panning – anything you find you can keep.

2. Meet the famous White Park cattle at Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire

After finding your fortune it’s on to a day with the Dinefwr Park Rangers to meet the famous White Park Cattle. The iconic herd have grazed the designed landscape for centuries and you can meet them up close on a tractor trailer tour of the estate. Tours will run every Tuesday from 12 noon but get there early to avoid disappointment.

3. Explore underwater worlds at Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire

While you’re out and about, you must make the journey to Colby Woodland Garden. Pick up a play kit on arrival and venture through the wildflower meadow to the streams and ponds. See what lies beneath by plunging your pond-dipping kit into the underwater worlds. You never know what you might find.

4. Go on a coastal adventure in North Pembrokeshire

If that’s whet your appetite for a real wild water adventure, continue your journey to North Pembrokeshire for kayaking and coasteering sessions. Paddle through the hidden coves and sea caves before having a go at cliff jumping under the watchful eye of the experienced activity leaders. You’ll see an array of local wildlife in the water and on the wing.

5. Discover a hidden cove at Mwnt

Seals and seabirds are just some of the wildlife wonders on Wales’ South West coastline. A day of discovery around the hidden cove of Mwnt beach in Ceredigion will be a treat for any nature enthusiast. Leap over the waves in the bay or climb the Foel to spot the resident school of dolphins. Don’t forget your binoculars.

6. Time travel at the Tudor Merchant’s House

From wildlife watching to heritage hunting, the National Trust famously looks after a catalogue of mythical mansions and historic homes in Wales. You can journey into the past at the Tudor Merchant’s House in Tenby and experience what 15th century Tudor life was like for the rich and poor. Dress up in traditional costume, play historic games and uncover spooky superstitions.

7. Walk in the footsteps of servants at Llanerchaeron

Or imagine yourself as a butler or a dairymaid at Llanerchaeron. Pick up the servants trail and get hands-on with the daily old-fashioned housekeeping tasks like polishing silver or sorting seeds.

8. Take on a family fitness challenge at Stackpole

If you still have energy to burn, a family fitness challenge awaits you at the Stackpole Estate. So pack your trainers and get stuck into the woodland orienteering course or pick up the pace with circuits on the lawn overlooking the iconic eight arch bridge.

9. Tame the dragon at Rhossili

It wouldn’t be a legendary summer in Wales without the presence of a Welsh dragon. Take a trip to the Gower Peninsula near Swansea and look closely at the views from Worm’s Head; you’re sure to spot the mythical beast sleeping in the landscape.

10. Take in the 360 degree view from Paxton’s Tower

From areas of outstanding natural beauty to National Nature Reserves, National Trust Wales isn’t short of a spectacular viewpoint or two. It’s believed that you can see all the counties of Wales from Paxton’s Tower in Llanarthney so why not round off the holidays by watching the sun set over the land of stories, myths and legends?

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