...adventures by rail; With the school summer holidays upon us, we checked out 10 of the best places to visit by rail with your children.

TEN GREAT...

Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre The centre is open all year round offering activities for all abilities including skiing, snowboarding, sno-tubing and alpine golf. If you are feeling very adventurous then the 750m long 'Cresta Run' toboggan ride is a must.

Visit www.llandudnoskislope.co.uk Arriva route: Nearest station is Llandudno.

Follow signs to the Ski Centre from the main promenade.

Anglesey Sea Zoo is Wales' largest marine aquarium and is situated on the shore of the Menai Strait against the stunning backdrop of Snowdonia. The habitats of more than 150 species of creatures found around the island and the North Wales coastline have been carefully recreated.

Visit www.angleseyseazoo.co.uk Arriva route: Nearest station is Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.

Catch the No.42 bus to Brynsiencyn.

Go Ape, Margam Park New for 2009 at Margam Park. Imagine giant obstacle courses set high in the trees with ladders, walkways, bridges and tunnels made of wood, rope and super string wire, pictured right.

Top it off with the country's best zip lines and you too will Go Ape!

Visit www.goape.co.uk Arriva route: Nearest station is Port Talbot.

Joint special offer: pounds 5 off* voucher for Go Ape!

at Margam Country Park (*conditions apply).See www.arrivatrainswales-promotions.co.uk

King Arthur's Labyrinth, MachynllethThis exciting adventure unfolds as you sail underground through the great waterfall, deep inside the spectacular caverns of the Labyrinth and far back in time, above. Enjoy tales of King Arthur, and other ancient Welsh legends, as you explore the dramatic underground setting. Complete with statues, light shows and sound effects.

Visit www.kingarthurslabyrinth.com Arriva route: Nearest train station is Machynlleth.

Take the No.X32 bus until you reach the bus stop located outside.

Ludlow Castle, Shropshire One of the finest medieval ruined castles, it's located at the heart of the bustling black and white market town of Ludlow. Visit, and you can walk through the castle grounds, see the ancient houses of kings, queens, princes, judges and the nobility and catch a glimpse into the lifestyle of the former medieval society of Ludlow. Visit www.ludlowcastle.com Arriva route: Nearest station is Ludlow.

Powis Castle, Welshpool A medieval castle built by Welsh princes and set in Welshpool is today home to the Earl of Powis.

The family still retain an apartment in the castle but no longer live here permanently. The castle boasts world famous gardens with Italianate terraces and has one of the finest collections of paintings and furniture in Wales as well as a beautiful collection of treasures from India displayed in the Clive Museum.

Arriva route: Nearest station is Welshpool. From the town centre, walk one-mile via the main public footpath through Castle Deer Park.

Green Man Festival, Crickhowell (August 21,22,23) Green Man has worked his magic again to conjure up a spellbinding line-up including Jarvis Cocker, Animal Collective, Wilco, Hawkwind and more than 100 other bands.

Indulge in a smorgasbord of cultural and culinary delights including film, comedy, literature, science, a kids area and some of the most mind-blowing food you'll taste all summer.

Why not make a week of it with our recession-busting holiday ticket giving you seven days of camping in Wales' stunning Brecon Beacons National Park for just an extra pounds 30? Arriva route: Nearest station is Abergavenny.

This year there is a special shuttle bus service for rail passengers from the station to the festival.

Ffos Las Racecourse, Carmarthenshire The new racecourse has some magnificent views down the Gwendraeth Valley towards Carmarthen Bay.

From its opening meeting which was held on June 18, the exciting Ffos Las Racecourse is staging regular fixtures with a family fun day also planned this summer. Visit www.ffoslasracecourse.com Arriva route: Nearest station is Llanelli. A special shuttle bus service runs to the racecourse.

Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth For those who like to go green, the centre shows how sustainable living can improve quality of life and help save the planet. Built in an old slate quarry in the foothills of Snowdonia, the visitor centre has seven acres of interactive displays, organic gardens, a caf, shop and adventure playground, pictured above.

Visit www.cat.org.uk. Arriva route: Nearest station is Machynlleth, an hourly bus service runs to the centre. Special Offer: Half price admission to the Centre when you display a valid train ticket to Machynlleth Station.

THE BEST WAYS TO TRAVEL

The Freedom of Wales Flexipass is the ideal option for the independent traveller. Valid on all Wales mainline train services for up to four days and certain bus routes for eight days, it costs pounds 79 and also offers discounted admissions to some of Wales' biggest tourist attractions.

The Freedom of South Wales Flexi Rover is for travelling in and around South Wales only, and offers unlimited rail access and bus travel for pounds 50.

The Freedom of North and Mid Wales Rover offers unlimited rail access and bus travel in North and Mid Wales and costs pounds 50.

Starting on Monday Arriva allows full fare paying adults travelling on rail services in the Wales and Borders region to take two children along for just pounds 1 each.

Chester Zoo is said to be the UK's number one zoo, with more than 7,000 animals and 400 different species. With more than one million visitors every year, the zoo is an all-year round favourite attraction for kids of all ages.

And with some special Arriva discounts on offer for the summer, now's a good time for a visit.

Visit www.

chesterzoo.org Arriva route: Nearest station is Chester.

A free shuttle bus service for rail passengers is set up for the six-week school summer holiday.

Joint Special Offer: One child goes free with two paying adults at Chester Zoo, when showing the voucher from www.arrivatrainswales-promotions.co.uk The offer is only valid with the voucher.