With just two weeks to go until February, many families will be looking ahead to half-term and planning staycations to make the most of their time off together.
The short break between school terms is the perfect time to explore the UK, with plenty of spots boasting milder weather and no crowds during this season.
In fact, what might take your fancy is travelling the length and breadth of Wales.
In its ranking of the best things to do around the UK in 2026, Time Out has named exploring the Celtic country by train as one of the top three experiences for this year.
And the best news is that seeing the land of castles and dragons doesn’t have to break the bank.
The Explore Wales Pass gives holders unlimited train travel across Wales for four days within an eight-day period, costing £149 for adults and £74.50 for children.
It also offers visitors unlimited bus journeys across all eight days.
As for things to do in Wales, the options are endless.
Travelling the breadth of Wales rounds off the top three of the 16 best new things to do in the UK in 2026. Pictured: The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in North Wales
A train passes over the Barmouth Bridge, a historic single-track wooden railway viaduct across the estuary of the River Mawddach near Barmouth, Wales
Barafundle Bay (pictured) is often described as having ‘views reminiscent of the Caribbean’
From Barafundle Bay, which is often described as having ‘views reminiscent of the Caribbean’, to Glamorgan, there are plenty of beautiful spots to explore in Wales.
The Chester to Llandudno train journey was rated the third most scenic train journey under £10.
A coastal classic, leaving Chester’s historic centre, the line follows the North Wales shoreline.
Llandudno is the final destination, with its grand Victorian promenade, pier, and the Great Orme.
It’s one of the easiest ways to get a bit of seaside charm in a weekend without committing to a long journey.
Cardiff is a popular spot for tourists with a boat trip to Cardiff Bay being a must-do activity.
For Gavin and Stacey fans, Barry Island is just a 25-minute train journey away.
The unsuspecting Welsh seaside town has seen a huge tourism boost thanks to the series, with official tours taking guests to filming locations like the Pleasure Park and Marco’s Cafe.
Cardiff is a popular spot for tourists with a boat trip to Cardiff Bay (pictured) being a must-do activity
Portmeirion is a tourist village in North Wales. It was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village
The travel experts at Time Out wrote: ‘Obviously, there are hundreds of different ways you could use the pass.
‘You may want to stay within one particular region of the country or use it to travel as far and wide as you can in the given period.
‘A 20-minute train ride from Cardiff Central will take you to the town of Caerphilly, which is home to one of our other best things to do this year.
‘From there, you could hop on train heading north to spend a while in Time Out’s second most underrated destination in Europe, Machynlleth.
‘Alternatively, you could use the pass to get to the mesmerising island of Anglesey or the whimsical folly town of Portmeirion, both of which appear on Time Out’s roundup of the UK’s best places to visit in 2026.
‘If you happen to be in Wales in August, you could use your pass to take the train to Pembrokeshire and celebrate 850 years of the National Eisteddfod, a huge week-long festival of Welsh food, drink, music, art, language and culture.’
The Explore Wales Pass can be purchased from the Tfw website, their app, station ticket offices or from a conductor on board.
