Wales in February: What to Expect + Things To Do

So, you're planning a getaway to Wales and wondering if February is a good month to visit?

February is not the best time to visit Wales. It's one of the coldest months, with temperatures around 4℃, and rainfall continues to be high (although less than December and January).

There may be few crowds, but many accommodations remain closed in February and lots of tours have stopped for the winter.

However, if you head to the towns and cities, there are plenty of indoor activities and it's a great opportunity to take advantage of off-peak pricing. Spirits will be across the country as the Six Nations rugby tournament begins.

Keep reading to find out more about visiting Wales in February and some of my favourite things to do during the month.

What Will the Weather Be Like?

February is winter in Wales so it's still a cold, wet, and windy month to visit. You'll need to pack plenty of warm clothes, including a thick rain coat.

Temperatures average out at around 4℃ which makes it one of the coldest months of the year¹. This is particularly true in coastal areas where the chilly ocean breezes can add a refreshing touch to coastal walks².

Although it's still one of the wettest months, you can expect marginally less rain than in December and January, with an average of 16 rainy days³.

This will give you more opportunities to venture out between rain showers to enjoy the beauty of the Welsh countryside in winter with frost-covered hills and snow-topped mountains. The waterfalls looks great this time of year too.

There's also the chance of a snow day. This can be very beautiful but keep in mind that it can cause disruptions to public transport and country roads can be dangerous.

You could be surprised, it's not unheard of to enjoy bright sunny weather either. Check the forecast before you pack.

When is the best time to visit? The best weather in Wales can be experienced between June and August, but for a good balance between weather and crowds, I recommend visiting in April, May, June, or September.

Also Read: When To Visit Wales? Month-by-Month Comparison

What Should I Expect?

February is still a quiet month in February for tourism and some attractions and accommodation will remain closed for Winter. This does mean that you'll get some of the top landmarks to yourself.

However, January blues are out of the way so there's a little more buzz.

There is a definite buoyant atmosphere across Cardiff and other cities around the Six Nations rugby tournament which is great to experience, whether you are watching from a packed out pub or the Principality Stadium itself.

There’s also a school holiday that happens in February meaning that children are off for a week across the whole of the UK. Many families have holiday homes or head to the caravan parks in Wales for a quick respite. Overall, Wales feels busier, but there is much more of an atmosphere than earlier in the year.

Whats On in Wales in February?

Welsh Language Music Day - 9th February 2024

Six Nations Tournament - 2nd February - 16th March 2024

Bangor Music Festival - 15th - 18th February 2024

Best Things To Do in Wales in February

Here are some of my favourite things to do in Wales in February.

1. Visit Waterfall Country

With increased rainfall over the winter period, the waterfalls across Wales are running at full force so it's a good time to visit.

The best place to find some waterfalls is an area of the Brecon Beacons known as Waterfall Country, so called due to a high concentration of waterfalls where several rivers run through gorges.

There are countless great waterfalls to choose from but a few I recommend are:

Four Falls Trail - This is the most popular waterfall walk with four unique waterfalls linked by a family-friendly path. The path is well-trodden and there are plenty of handrails if it gets slippy. The most stunning of these is the fourth waterfall Sgwd-yr-Eira where it's possible to walk behind the thunderous wall of water to take stunning photographs.

Henrhyd Falls - This waterfall is famous for featuring in the Batman movies as the entrance to the Batcave in the Dark Knight Rises. It takes just 30 minutes to visit (round-trip).

2. Cheer on Wales in the Six Nations

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If you’re in Cardiff during February or early March, it’s impossible to miss the fanfare around the Six Nations rugby tournament.

This historic competition happens every year and pits England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Italy against each other in a five-week round-robin to see which country reigns supreme.

Several of the games will be held in Cardiff at the Principality Stadium. Even if you're not in the capital, there's a real buzz around the country with packed-out pubs.

3. Go surfing

February might be a curious month for outdoor lovers, with the weather being bitter and unreliable, but it does normally mean a reliable Atlantic swell.

Some of the best surf spots in Wales can be found along the Llyn Peninsula (most notably the spot known as Hell’s Mouth) and down in Pembrokeshire in West Wales.

If you’re looking for lessons, my recommended surf school is Outer Reef who use Freshwater West Beach among others in the area. They operate year-round including throughout Winter.

4. Hit the ski slopes and toboggan tracks

Wales doesn't quite have its own ski resort, but there are still places where you can take part in winter sports.

Pembrey Country Park - This is a family-friendly parkland, woodland, and beach near Llanelli. There's a year-round Ski and Activity Centre with a dry slope for skiing, snowboarding, or tubing. My favourite activity here is the toboggan track that runs alongside the slope (pictured).text here

Llandudno Snowsports Centre - At the opposite end of the country, Llandudno Snowsports Centre is walkable from the town centre. Again, there's a dry ski slope where you can take skiing/ snowboarding lessons or hire gear and practice yourself. They also have a huge 700m toboggan, snow-tubing and alpine golf.

5. Go husky sledding

Husky sledging is one of those activities you might associate with the Arctic, but, did you know you can go husky sledging in Wales too? It might be a little bit different without the snow, but thanks to a handy set of wheels, it’s close enough.

Just outside Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park near Llyn Brenig and Alwen Reservoir, you’ll find Mynydd Sleddog where Joe and the team have Siberian Huskies which have been bred for racing.

February is a great month to hop in the passenger cart and be drawn through the Welsh countryside by six dogs.

6. Look to the stars at the Dark Sky Reserves

Wales is an excellent country for stargazing with three International Dark Sky Places (IDSPs). These are areas that have been officially designated and protected to ensure the best stargazing experiences.

The three places are Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, the Bannau Brycheiniong (Brecon Beacons) National Park, and the Elan Valley. You can hunt out some great stargazing spots for yourself, or head out on this stargazing experience with an astronomy expert.

Due to the lack of light in the surrounding area and the earlier nights in February, it’s the ideal combination for stargazing. However, you'll need to check the weather to ensure you avoid the cloudy nights.

Look out for Welsh Dark Skies Week which usually takes place during February. Expect guided walks, workshops, and a switch off which is one of the best times for stargazing.

7. Visit a Welsh castle

No trip to Wales would be complete without stopping off at a Welsh castle. With St David's Day fast approaching (1st March), many of the castles will have events towards the end of February.

Most of the castles in Wales are open year-round, but there are a few that are better to visit in Winter due to having lots of indoor areas.

Here are a few to consider:

Caernarfon Castle – Probably the most impressive fortress in North Wales, you can visit Caernarfon Castle any time of year. They have two museums inside spanning multiple floors and you can climb up the towers for great view of the town.

Caerphilly Castle - This is Wales' largest castle and the second biggest in the UK. They tend to run events towards the end of February so check the CADW site for details. This castle is mostly outdoors so it's best for a sunny day.

Pembroke Castle – This is a great family day out with activities for all of the family. There’s a huge museum, guided tours, and lots of ruins to explore.

Powis Castle – The 13th-century castle has an extensive interior to explore, elegantly decorated with paintings, sculptures and furniture. Onsite is the Clive Museum which contains objects from India and the Far East. Outside, they have a dedicated Winter Walk where you can see the castle grounds glistening in the winter sun.

8. Explore Wales' winter gardens

Wales might be home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Britain, but we also have some impressive manmade gardens that you can visit across the country.

Many of them are run by the National Trust whose gardeners are excellent at showcasing the beauty of the landscape even in the colder months. Here are a few worth checking out in February:

National Botanic Gardens of Wales - This huge complex is home to the largest single-span greenhouse in the world, home to plants from all over the world. Outdoors, there are rare plants, themed areas, waterfalls, and lots of winter flowers including jasmines and viburnums. They also have birds of prey and other events during February half-term.

Bodnant Gardens - The National Trust's Bodnant Gardens can be found near Conwy in North Wales. The garden has a diverse collection of winter-flowering plants, many of which can be found by following their Winter Trail.

9. Visit the Museums

Although February has less rain than December and January, there's still a good chance that you'll encounter some rainy days so it's a good idea to have some indoor activities up your sleeve.

Wales has an excellent range of museums, many of which are very underrated. Here are a few of my favourites across the country:

St Fagan's National Museum of History (near Cardiff) - Includes an open-air museum with buildings from different periods in Wales. Inside, there are several exhibitions where you can find out more about the people who lived here. You could spend the best part of a day here - it's huge!

National Museum Cardiff - A large museum and gallery in the capital covering everything to do with Wales. I like the natural history displays downstairs with dinosaur skeletons and fossils. Upstairs, the art galleries hold 500 years’ worth of magnificent historic art, sculptures and ceramics.

The Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum (Caernarfon Castle) - A huge three-storey museum, telling the fascinating story of the oldest infantry regiment in the world with uniforms, weapons, medals, and displays. However, you have to pay to enter the castle to see the museum so it's quite expensive.

Dylan Thomas Centre (Swansea) - A museum about the life of Dylan Thomas, a famous Welsh poet and writer. His life, work, and legacy are displayed through a host of various collections including rare manuscripts, books, and artwork.

See my full guide to the best museums in Wales for more.

10. Take a romantic trip to Anglesey

February is renowned as the month of love with St Valentine's Day celebrated on 14th February each year.

So what better month to plan a romantic getaway to Wales?

I recommend visiting North Wales where you can stay in a cosy holiday cottage, complete with a hot tub to soak away those cold evenings (Holiday Cottages has the most choices in Wales, but Booking.com is good too).

An essential place to visit on your getaway is Ynys Llanddwyn, a tidal island just off the coast of Anglesey. Here, you'll find a beautiful lighthouse and the ruins of the Church of St Dwynwen which was once a popular pilgrimage destination.

St Dwynwen is the patron saint of love in Wales so it's a fitting place to spend Valentine's Day. However, many Welsh people celebrate St Dwynwen's Day in January instead.

See my full guide to visiting Ynys Llanddwyn for more.