The Senedd
BEST FOR
Ages 5-7
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Cardiff
What it’s like
Free entry to watch Welsh democracy in action, with a trail and play area built for 5 to 7 year olds.
You walk in through security, which takes a few minutes on a quiet day, and find yourself in a public building that's actually built for visitors rather than just tolerating them. The Senedd Explorer Trail is aimed squarely at 5 to 7 year olds, and there's a play area with toys and sensory bits for when the politics gets a bit much. Free guided tours run too, if you want someone else to explain how the Welsh Parliament actually works rather than winging it yourself.
The big draw for older kids, or curious adults, is watching live Parliamentary business from the public galleries. It's free, which is rare for anything billed as an attraction in a capital city, and the exhibitions on Welsh culture change often enough to be worth a repeat visit. Do bear in mind opening hours and what's on can shift at short notice around Plenary sessions and committee meetings, so a visit built around watching debates is more of a bonus than a guarantee.
Step-free access and ramps run right through the building, and there are wheelchairs available on request along with dedicated space in the public galleries. The café is Kids in Museums accredited, does bottle warming and high chairs, and there's a Changing Places facility if you need one, not something every free attraction bothers with. Parking is the one properly annoying bit: there's no general on-site parking, so you're looking at the Q-Park multi-storey a few minutes' walk away or pay-and-display on nearby streets, though blue badge holders can arrange accessible parking directly.
Last entry is 16:00, with the building open from 09:00 weekdays and a later 10:30 start on Saturdays and bank holidays. Given the security check and the trail, an hour to two feels about right for younger children, longer if you catch a tour or a live session.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 5 to 7, with the Explorer Trail built for that age
- Last entry
- 16:00
- Parking
- Accessible parking by prior arrangement with blue badge requirement
- Food
- On-site café with locally sourced food, Kids in Museums Family Café Standard accredited, offers bottle warming, high chairs
- Pushchairs
- Step-free access and ramps throughout the estate support pushchair access
- Wheelchairs
- Available on request
- Getting there by bus or train
- Wales Millennium Centre bus stop 3 mins walk
- Exhibitions and even opening hours can shift at short notice around Parliamentary business
- The building sometimes opens earlier or stays open later for Plenary or committee sessions
- There's free wifi if you need to keep older kids occupied between bits
- Bike parking is available if you're cycling in
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
It's free, including the guided tours and the exhibitions.
Do we need to book ahead?
There's no booking link listed, so it looks like you can just turn up within opening hours.
What age is it suited to?
The Explorer Trail is aimed at 5 to 7 year olds, though the play area and galleries work for a wider age range.
How long should we allow for security?
Around 15 minutes, though it's usually just a few minutes. Expect a short queue outside before you get in.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Friday 09:00 to 16:30, Saturdays and bank holidays 10:30 to 16:30. Last entry is 16:00.
Can we watch Parliament in action?
Yes, live Parliamentary business is open to the public in the viewing galleries, though what's on can change at short notice.
Is there parking on site?
Not general parking. The nearest option is the Q-Park multi-storey four minutes' walk away, or pay-and-display on Harbour Drive and Stuart Street. Blue badge holders can arrange accessible parking directly.
What's available for food?
There's an on-site café doing locally sourced food, with high chairs and bottle warming, and it holds the Kids in Museums Family Café Standard.
Is it buggy and wheelchair friendly?
Step-free access and ramps run throughout, with lifts, wheelchairs available on request and dedicated wheelchair space in the public galleries.
Are there baby facilities?
Baby changing and a Changing Places facility with an adult changing bench and hoist are both on site.
How do we get there without a car?
The Wales Millennium Centre bus stop is 3 minutes' walk, and Cardiff Bay train station is about 10 minutes' walk, with services from Pontypridd and Cardiff Queen Street.
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