Where can I take the DCs on the Welsh coast by train?

[listsandbudgets]

I want to take the children away for a while in the summer. Ages 7 and 13. DP can't come as work for him looks super busy this summer. I want to go somewhere that's got a nice beach, opportunities for lovely walks , maybe some historical interest, somewhere i might be able to get a b&b or cheapish hotel (ideally I'd like a cottage but not sure budget will stretch at that time of year). Where ever it is needs to be accessible by train. Once I'm there, I dont really want to have to leave until we are going back if that makes sense.

If anyone can suggest somewhere please do.

Anglesey has lovely beaches but you'll need a car or use buses.
Swansea is ok as a base but the lovely beaches on the Gower peninsula are not that easy to get to. I would go to Barmouth.
Check the weather forecast before you go and take waterproof coats.
You'll love it.

From Birmingham, Aberystwyth is a no-brainer! It's direct train and nice too. Pleasant beaches and easy to get around.

You probably will get student accommodation too during the summer.

Definitely Tenby. It's a stunning walled town with two beaches and a harbour. You can take a boat trip to Caldey Island where the monks make chocolate and perfume and there are lots of places to eat and drink. I love it there.

I wouldn't do Gower with no car. You can walk around the mumbles, but you wouldn't see the best of the Gower.

Conwy great small town, but no beach.

Llandudno better. Easy for you to access. Great orme to visit.

Barry island is great, but no historic interest unless you combine with Cardiff and Glamorgan coast.

Tenby is a long way bit really is perfect. 4 beautiful sandy beaches, a castle, compact town with a station. Great places to eat. Attractions nearby. We were there last weekend and didn't want to leave.

There's loads along the trainline through Barmouth. It is a quiet single track line so would need some planning. Great part of the world!

Another vote for Tenby here, I love it there

Llandudno

Yep Tenby! It's beautiful and I spend a lot of my summer there. If the weather is truly awful then you could hop on the train to Carmarthen where there is a cinema and bowling!

We're coming fro mtbe Midlands too OP and we go Conwy / Llandudno area. Conwy has a loveyy castle, Llandudno had the tram and mines; easily commutable to Colwyn Bay which has the Mountain Zoo and this year we're stopping in Deganwy so hopefully there's something decent there too lol. From Colwyn Bay we also did Barmouth I think it was. All decent beaches, lots of touristy stuff, cultural stuff, places to eat etc.
We've hired a 2 bed cottage so we've got more flexibility than in a B&B with regards cooking etc. that way if the weather is bad, we can have an in day rather than having to traipse around

Tenby, as others said, is perfect for what you need. Recommend a taxi to Folly Farm for a fantastic day out.

Barmouth is more fun for little ones than Aberystwyth simply because it's more sea-sidey and has a big sandy beach. It used to have donkeys and penny arcades and rock shops as well - don't know if those are still there. Aber has a pebbly beach.

I would recommend tenby too as the train station is only a short walk way away from the hotels/town centre etc. You wont need a car to get around and there are lovely beaches. Might be a bit touristy but who doesn't love a day out to tenby. On another thread someone didnt rate Tenby or saundersfoot as I guess they thought they were too touristy but my personal favourite place is saundersfoot which is just down the road. I've got very very special memories of that place. You can get taxis to local attractions if you want. There's a couple of adventure type attractions in Tenbt too. I live near the gower but you need a car to get around or a lot of money for taxis (not sure about the bus routes tbh).

From Birmingham, Aberystwyth - No brainer.

Birmingham to Tenby is over 9 hours by train, yes it's beautiful and Saundersfoot is lovely but if I were you op I'd take all the suggestions to go further north. Aberystwyth or Barmouth.

I came on to say Aberystwyth but see lots of others have beaten me to it. Plenty to do in the town and surrounds to occupy you for a few days or even a week without needing a car. It's lovely there - fantastic little town. "The Brighton of Wales", so they say.
www.visitwales.com/destinations/mid-wales/ceredigion-cardigan-bay/insiders-guide-aberystwyth

Tenby most definitely, and it won't take over 9 hours on the train.

It's got the perfect amount of busy and beautiful beaches.

Another vote for Barry Island. Easy day trips to Cardiff as already mentioned. Lovely little place.

Tenby will take ages in the train from B'ham, with lots of changes. Much simpler to go to Aberystwyth which is one direct train and less than 3 (very scenic) hours. Plenty to do in Aber for all ages, rain or shine. Barmouth is smaller (not that Aber is massive).

Aberdyfi/Aberdovey! Best holiday place ever . Have been every year of my life - will be going this summer too and taking my DD for the first time. Not that she'll appreciate it, being under 6 months ...

Tenby is a winner. It is truly picturesque, with lots of boutiquey little shops/cafes, fish and chips on the beach, ice cream parlours, a short boat ride to Caldey Island, and if you wanted to do a touristy day there are several places to go nearby on a bus (Folly Farm/Manor House wildlife park/oakwood theme park) depending on the age of your children.

Aberystwyth. We go every year as dsis lives there. You can get train to Borth, Machynlleth and other places up Cambrian coast. Also buses to several local places (including New Quay).

Aber has lots of places to eat, a lifeboat station, cliff railway (with camera obscura at the top), arts centre (good for rainy days). Steam railway (Vale of Rheidol), plus you can get to the Corris railway near Machynlleth if you are clever with buses.

Tywyn or Aberdovey or Barmouth. Out of the two, I’d probably stay in Tywyn, and hop on the train to visit Aberdovey and Barmouth.
Tywyn has a play area, paddling pool, nice beach, amusement arcade, leisure centre and cinema, and the station is very close to the town and seafront.
Aberdovey has a beach and crabbing, oh and donkey rides and a play area, and is very pretty but not much else there.
Barmouth has a small fair and huge beach, again not much there but nice to visit.
Have a look at Lounge Lettings. We’ve booked through them for the last few years and they have a lot of houses and flats right on the front at Tywyn, although school holidays get booked quickly.

Beachsidehouse.co.uk in Tywyn, which is independently let, is surprisingly showing some weeks available for July and August.
We haven’t stayed there but we have stayed next door.

Tenby but I may be biased as I'm local. So much to do. May be a struggle to explore surrounding area without a car but a bus or taxi to folly farm is definitely worth it.

spiteful where do you get 9 hours from??