September might signal the end of summer, but that doesn’t mean the fun is over! Wales is still bursting with things to do as the autumn rolls in, and it can be a wonderful time to visit when the sun still shines more often than not, the sea is still warm, and those pesky summer crowds have left. There are festivals to attend, local food to sample, wildlife to spot, heritage sites to see and natural wonders to explore.
So why not plan an early autumn holiday? Here are our top 10 things to do in Wales in September!
Spot some baby seals
It was all about puffin watching and dolphin sightings earlier in the summer, but now that Autumn has rolled around, it’s the season of the baby seals!
Thousands of seals live in the waters around Wales, and you can see them all year. But September to December is the breeding season and the only time you’re likely to see seal pups.
Seals love lounging around on rugged, rocky coves. So head to the remote beaches at the tip of the Lynn Peninsula for a good chance of spotting some grey seals with their fluffy, white pups. In the south, try Pembrokeshire around Cemaes Head, the Marloes Peninsula, or Strumble Head. Take a boat trip to Skomer or Ramsey Island to see colonies of seals relaxing on the rocky outcrops. Or join a guided kayaking trip to paddle past the popular seal hangouts. Don’t be surprised if one of these naturally curious creatures swims right up to your boat!
Note: Always remember that these are wild animals. Don’t approach them and never get too close to the pups. Seals might be cumbersome and slow-moving on land, but they will always defend their babies! Just enjoy the sight safely, from afar.
Eat local
Foodies rejoice! September is the start of harvest season in Wales, and with it comes the food festivals. From one end of the country to another, the stalls are out with chances to sample all manner of local delicacies.
Check out these top food fairs to visit in September:
- Abergavenny Food Fair: This is Wales’ largest and most famous food festival, with over 150 stalls across six venues showcasing food both local and international. Expect to see some of the best Welsh farmers and food producers and to watch celebrity chefs’ demonstrations.
- Conwy Honey Fair: This celebration of all things honey has been running for over 700 years and is one of Wales’ oldest festivals. Sample sweet treats, preserves, recipes and crafts handmade by the beekeepers of Conwy.
- Amgueddfa Cymru Food Festival: One for those who love food and history, this food fair happens amongst the historic buildings of St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff. There are over 80 food and drink stalls, live music and entertainment.
- Narbeth Food Festival: This volunteer-run festival might not be the biggest fair in the country, but it’s one of the friendliest. Expect tastings, demonstrations, and plenty of family-friendly entertainment in this artistic Pembrokeshire town.
Explore Welsh heritage
Every September, Wales hosts the Open Doors program, a fantastic initiative that gives people access to heritage sites they would not usually get to see. Across the month, more than 150 of Wales’ historical sights, landmarks, castles, privately owned manor houses and gardens will open their doors to the public. You can take tours, and attend events in some of the country’s lesser-known and usually closed sites. And it’s all free of charge!
A schedule of the month’s events goes online during the summer, and some of them have limited places, so book early to avoid missing out!
Get on board
September sees the start of the surfing season in Wales, and it’s a great time to get out there. The sea still holds its warmth from the summer, and the waves start to grow thanks to storms out in the Atlantic sending swell our way.
You’ll find surf schools and rental shops all along the coastline, and no shortage of surf beaches. But for some of the best waves in Wales, hit up Newgale in Pembrokeshire, Porthcawl in Glamorgan, Rhosneigr off Anglesey, Hell’s Mouth on the Llyn Peninsula and Wales’ top surfing spot, the Gower Peninsula.
Take a hike
It’s a brilliant time to take to the hiking trails of Wales. The summer crowds have gone leaving the paths nice and empty, the temperature is still pleasant, and nature is starting to put on her autumn colours.
And you’ve no end of hiking opportunities in Wales! Whether you want to walk routes that hug the sea cliffs like the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path or check off the peaks in the Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia National Park or the Cambrian mountains, you’ll find plenty of routes to suit.
And, if you’re not sure about walking, don’t want to do it alone, or want to make some new hiking buddies, check out one of the many hiking events in Wales in Autumn, like:
- The Gower Walking Festival
- The Barmouth Walking Festival at Abermaw
- The Vale of Glamorgan Walking Festival
These events run friendly programs of hikes through some of the most beautiful scenery in Wales. They have routes for all abilities covering everything from short trails to whole-day or multi-day treks. You’ll meet like-minded people, join social events, get expert advice on the local area, and you might even get tips on which pubs to stop at along the way.
Go underground
With September comes an increase in rainfall in Wales, so it’s wise to have some rainy day activities on your holiday list. So why not make the UNESCO Heritage-awarded Big Pit experience one of them?
Mining plays a massive part in Welsh history, and you can learn all about it in this immersive, indoor and underground experience.
Don a hard hat and torch and descend 300ft underground into the workings of a real mine. Follow in the miners’ footsteps as you learn what life was like for the thousands of workers who used to toil at the coal face.
Back up at ground level, explore the museum with its many rooms and exhibits showcasing the science, geology and human stories behind Wales’ mining industry.
Break a sweat
If a holiday isn’t a holiday for you unless you’ve worked every muscle in your body, you’re in luck. Every September, Wales plays host to some truly gruelling endurance races. See if you conquer this lot…
- Ironman Wales: This challenging race starts with a 2.4-mile swim off Tenby North Beach, followed by a 112-mile cycle through Pembrokeshire Coastal Park and ends with a marathon to Tenby’s old town centre.
- Superfeet Sandman Triathlon: Possibly Wales’ most beautiful race route, this one takes place in Anglesey’s stunning Newborough Forest and Llanddwyn Beach. A choice of four race distances are available.
- Llandudno Triathlon: Try a new challenge with Wales’ latest triathlon course. Run, swim and cycle your way around this beautiful corner of Wales as spectators cheer you on from the pier.
- Man vs Mountain: If running on flat terrain is too easy, try this one. Start at sea level at Caernarfon Castle, then race 20 miles up to the summit of Snowdon and back down, tackling punishing artificial and natural obstacles as you go.
Hit the beach
The summer holidays might be over, but the beach days aren’t. September weather is a little unreliable, and it is wetter than August. But we still get some beautiful sunny, blue sky days with temperatures still hitting highs of 19°C along the south coast. And when those warm days come, it’s essential to make the most of them as they might be the last of the year.
If you’re on holiday in Wales in September, it’s all about being prepared and flexible. Have your rainy day plans in place, but keep your beach bag packed, and when the sun starts shining, head straight for the sand!
Step back in time
The imposing yet beautiful Conwy Castle is a must-visit place while in Wales. This world heritage site attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, mostly during the summer. So if you fancy exploring this 700-year-old mediaeval fortress with fewer crowds, then September is a great time to visit.
Travel back to the 13th century as you explore this incredibly well-preserved castle. Visit the royal apartments, stroll around the battlements and climb the dark stone towers for stunning views of the River Conwy and the town below. Then follow the circuit of exterior walls which encircle the old town’s narrow streets.
Get festive
The music festivals might have tailed off but there’s still plenty of festival fun to go around. Here are a few of our favourite September choices:
- Gladfest: Billed as ‘the UK’s friendliest literary festival’, it’s all about joining in and trying new things. It’s held in the grounds of the Victorian Gladstone Library, and if you book super early, you can bag accommodation amidst the books!
- Aberystwyth Comedy Festival: A weekend of belly laughs by the coast. This festival comprises around 100 individual shows at different venues along the seafront.
- Porthcawl Elvis Festival: The King isn’t dead, he just moved to Wales! Enjoy three days of tribute acts, sequined jumpsuits, and excellent music alongside thousands of other Elvis fans.
- Festival No 6: The surreally beautiful village of Portmeirion is a wonder to visit at any time of the year. But it’s an extra special sight during this four-day extravaganza of music, comedy, culture, art and fun.
- Llandovery Sheep Festival: Is there anything more Welsh than sheep? Celebrate these fluffy creatures with a fun and silly weekend of sheep-shearing, sheepdog trials, wool crafts, and all things sheep related! You’ll find local food and drink aplenty and lots of entertainment.
There you have it!
Do you fancy checking out anything off this list? If you do, start by booking your dream holiday accommodation, then make your way to Wales for food fairs, sheep festivals, surfing lessons and seal sightings!
What about next month? Here’s our guide to the top 10 things to do in Wales in October.
Anita moved to South Wales as a child and has thought of herself as Welsh ever since – especially when it comes to rugby! She spent her childhood sailing the coastline and playing on the beaches and now continues to explore her chosen country as an adult. She loves discovering quirky villages, trying out adventure sports, and hunting for the best fish n chips in Wales.