Wales Balloon Festival

Watching hot air balloons lift off against the Carmarthenshire sky is genuinely brilliant - especially if you've never seen one in person before. The Wales Balloon Festival happens annually and draws dozens of these enormous coloured envelopes that inflate right in front of you. It's the kind of spectacle that makes you feel small in the best possible way.

The event works well for families with kids old enough to appreciate the sheer scale of it all. Toddlers might get restless, but anyone from about seven upwards will be mesmerised. Early mornings tend to be best when the air is still and the balloons actually go up - afternoon sessions are hit or miss depending on wind. Bring a chair, a flask, and settle in. You'll want at least two hours, possibly three if you're after decent photos.

It's free to watch from the ground, though some venues charge for premium viewing spots closer to the launch field. The exact dates shift year to year, so check ahead before planning your trip. Based near Carmarthen, you're well-positioned for a caravan holiday - Steffan Valley Caravan Park and Laugharne View are both within five miles, meaning you could literally roll out of your pitch and watch hot air balloons before breakfast.

Worth the detour if you're in South Wales in late summer. Nothing quite beats standing under a balloon as it fires up its burners. The smell of propane, the roar - it's proper memorable.