There is something really lovely about a weekend away that feels easy from the very beginning. We recently took our first family trip to Wales with Stena Line, sailing from Dublin to Holyhead on a Friday evening and returning on Sunday evening. It’s been a while since we took the ferry and I had forgotten that it really is such a brilliant way to travel as a family. From the minute we arrived at the port, the whole experience felt calmer and more relaxed than the usual airport rush. No dragging kids through the airport, no stressing about liquids and no wondering if your bags are overweight.
Instead, we packed up the car with everything we needed for the weekend, drove to the port, boarded, and our trip began.
And that really is the beauty of travelling this way with kids. You have your own car, your own stuff, and your own space at the other side. It gives you so much flexibility, especially for a family break, and makes the whole thing feel far less hectic from the outset.
Why the ferry just worked for us
As a family of five, convenience matters. A lot.
Being able to pack the car with everything we might need for the weekend made such a difference. Snacks, spare clothes, coats, bits for the kids, whatever we wanted for our stay — it all just went in the boot and off we went. No luggage stress, no trying to squeeze everything into strict weight limits, and no worrying about how we were going to get around once we arrived.
That was one of the biggest wins of the whole trip actually: having our own car in Wales. It meant we could stay somewhere a little more unique, explore at our own pace, and easily move between places without the hassle or cost of hiring a car. That freedom made the weekend feel much more relaxed.
What it was like onboard Stena Line with kids
One thing I think people sometimes underestimate is how much the onboard experience matters when you are travelling with children.
Stena Line really does make a good start to the trip. Rather than everyone being stuck in their seats counting down the minutes, there is actually loads to do and enough variety to keep the whole family happy.
We sailed on the Estrid – and between movies, the arcade, interactive games on the walls and chilled out spaces to play games as a family, the journey absolutely flew. The Family Hub on the Stena Adventurer is also a great addition for families. It’s designed as a space where kids can properly unwind and be entertained, with interactive features, games, and room to move, while parents can sit nearby and breathe for a minute.
Some of the great facilities on board:
- plenty of comfortable places to sit and relax
- food and drink options onboard, including restaurant and café choices and a bar.
- a Duty Free Shop with loads to browse and great value
- free Wi-Fi in the main lounges
- great movie and entertainment options – the kids loved the movie lounge
- upgrade options like the Stena Plus Lounge and Hygge Recline Lounge if you want an even more comfortable crossing
- cabins and reclining seat options if you want to arrive feeling more rested
- genuinely friendly, helpful staff onboard
It just felt easy. The kids were entertained, we weren’t trying to keep everyone sitting still for hours, and the whole thing felt like a much nicer, less draining way to travel.
Our stay: a converted chapel in Amlwch
Once we arrived in Wales, we drove on to our Airbnb in Amlwch, and this place was such a find.
It was a beautifully converted chapel and exactly the kind of place I love discovering on Airbnb — a little bit different, full of character, and somewhere that instantly makes the trip feel special.
It had such a cool family-friendly feel to it too. There were games for the kids, a really lovely lounge area, a pool table that went down very well, and a gorgeous fully functioning kitchen so we could eat at home and properly settle in. Outside, there was a beautiful garden, and the whole setting just felt peaceful – we loved it.
That is one of the things I love most about breaks like this. You can find those more offbeat places to stay, use them as your base, and explore somewhere new at your own pace. And having the car made that so much easier. Also the Welsh countryside is just beautiful – and I’m so glad we got to explore some of it.
The main event: Velocity at Zip World
The thing we were most excited about for this trip was Velocity at Zip World — and it absolutely lived up to the hype.
This was proper bucket-list stuff.
Me and my older two boys, who are total thrill seekers, did it together, and it was honestly one of the wildest things we have ever done. You fly in a Superman-style position over the quarry at incredible speed, and the whole thing is just such a rush from start to finish. Zip World describes Velocity as a ride where you can reach speeds of up to 100 mph over Penrhyn Quarry, which gives you some idea of the scale of it.
It was one of those experiences that is hard to explain properly unless you do it. Equal parts terrifying and exhilarating, but completely unforgettable. I put it on par with skydiving (which I did many years ago pre-kids!).
A really nice extra if you are doing this trip with Stena Line is that customers can get 20% off Zip World by showing their Stena Line tickets when purchasing.
A really lovely surprise: GreenWood Family Park
After all of that adrenaline, we hopped back in the car and drove on to GreenWood Family Park. We had no idea what to expect here and ended up being a fantastic call – because we all loved it.
It had such a relaxed, easygoing vibe and was just a really fun family afternoon.
What makes it feel a bit different is that it is an eco-friendly park, with clever touches throughout. Even the roller coaster is powered by the weight of the people on it, which the boys thought was brilliant. There were water slides, tubing, playgrounds, loads to do, and such a nice atmosphere overall. It didn’t feel chaotic or overwhelming — just really enjoyable.
And if you are coming in through Holyhead, it is such a great option because it is close by and makes for a brilliant family day out without needing to trek too far.
Lunch by the sea in Red Wharf Bay
That evening we headed to Red Wharf Bay en route home, and it was gorgeous.
We ate at The Boathouse and then headed down to the beach afterwards where the lads blew off some steam. They skimmed stones and ran around on the shore. I loved this spot and, if I had my way, I probably would have stopped at every little beach along the coastline. But by that stage of the day the kids were tired, so alas… I now have my excuse that we need to go back to Wales.
Back at the chapel that evening, we did exactly what you want to do after a full day out: we chilled out, watched movies, played games, had a glass of wine, and enjoyed the fact that we had found such a lovely place to stay.
Why Wales worked so well for a family weekend
What I loved most about this trip was how much we managed to fit into one weekend without it ever feeling frantic.
We left on Friday evening, came back on Sunday evening, and somehow packed in some really memorable adventures, lovely food, beautiful scenery, family time, and a genuinely enjoyable travel experience too.
For us, that was the biggest thing about doing Wales with Stena Line. It took away so much of the stress that can come with family travel and replaced it with as easier, calmer, and more enjoyable travel experience. The crossing itself was comfortable, the onboard facilities made a real difference, and having our own car meant we could properly make the most of our time once we arrived. The kids were excited to get back on the ferry en route home as opposed to the usual dread of heading to the airport. So I think that speaks volumes!
If you are looking for a family getaway that feels manageable but still feels like a proper break, this kind of trip is such a good option.
We honestly only wished we had longer.
Stena Line’s Kids Go Free offer is back
Even better, Stena Line’s Kids Go Free offer is back from April 24th 2026, which makes this kind of family break even more tempting. Using code KIDS, families can book on Economy and Flexi motorist fares from April 24th to May 22nd for travel between May 1st and January 5th 2027 across all Irish Sea routes. It’s such a good way to keep the cost of a family getaway down a bit, especially when you’re already getting the ease of bringing your own car and starting the holiday the minute you board.
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