Back in time
The brand-new Kids’ History Festival has arrived inWales. Here we take a look at the highlights
WALES plays host to an array of music, art and literature festivals every summer — and this August, a celebration of heritage will join the programme as Cadw presents a new history festival for families.
The all-new Kids’ History Festival will see hundreds of unmissable events, “cool” activities and educational experiences arrive at 25 of Wales’ historic sites from now until August 25.
It’s all part of Cadw’s Rediscover History campaign, which aims to shine a modern light on Welsh heritage and provide new ways for young people to experience Wales’ castles, abbeys and historic houses during Wales’ 2019 Year of Discovery.
Targeted at children between the ages of four and 16, the festival will feature everything from sketching lessons and Lego castle building workshops to a sword school and musical performances — medieval style.
Here are some highlights...
■ Today and August 9, 16 & 23
■ Knights, Jesters and Wizardry Wonder!
■ Conwy Castle
■ 10am-4pm
Visitors to Conwy Castle can enjoy a jam-packed, family-friendly day of fun and games.
From have-a-go archery and sword school with medieval knights to magical wand workshops with resident wizards, event-goers are guaranteed to leave the castle with a brand new skill or two. Plus, the town jester will be on hand to entertain families visiting the site with his comical antics.
Normal site admission fees apply.
■ Tomorrow & Sunday, and August 10, 11, 17 & 18
■ Discover Owain Glyndwr
■ Caernarfon Castle, Conwy Castle, Beaumaris Castle, Kidwelly Castle, Harlech Castle, Laugharne Castle
■ Dates for this event vary according to site location – please visit the website for more information.
■ 10am-2.30pm
Young, budding historians are invited to discover the last Welsh Prince of Wales through the eyes of one of his loyal supporters.
This interactive event will encourage visitors to help tell Owain Glyndwr’s story as they take on the role of a professional bard. Four sessions will take place each day. These family-friendly sessions will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis and are limited to a maximum of 30 people.
Normal site admission fees apply, but booking is required.
■ Tomorrow & Sunday
■ The Defence of Blaenavon
■ Blaenavon Ironworks
■ 11am-4pm
World War II will explode into Blaenavon Ironworks as the sights and sounds of the 1940s take over the historic site.
Heart-stopping weaponry displays, jaw-dropping battle re-enactments and musical performances will offer visitors a real insight into the life of those who experienced this troublesome time.
Plus, stories of life on the home front will be told throughout the day by the firesides of Stack Square, while a mobile military hospital, radio room and a selection of wartime military vehicles will be present on site for visitors to discover and explore.
Normal site admission fees apply.
■ Tuesday and August 13 & 20
■ Knight School
■ Harlech Castle
■ 9.30am-4.30pm
Harlech Castle is in search of a new garrison of medieval knights to guard the mighty fortress walls. Brave visitors are invited to attend the Ardudwy Knights’ prestigious knight school at the castle for a day of battle, combat and defence training.
Normal site admission fees apply.
■ Tuesday
■ Victorian Crafts & Games
■ Castell Coch
■ 11am-4pm
Castell Coch welcomes visitors for a day of Victorian games and craft activities. Games will include skittles, spinning tops and skipping ropes, while craft activities will include creating paper chains and Victorian spinning objects such as thaumatropes and whirligigs.
Plus, event goers can enjoy listening to Lady Bute telling Aesop’s fables in the adorned drawing room.
Normal site admission fees apply.
■ Wednesday
■ Medieval Falconry
■ Criccieth Castle
■ 11am-4pm
Criccieth Castle invites visitors to enjoy an exhilarating day of fascinating falconry displays above Cardigan Bay.
From rare photo opportunities with the majestic birds, to captivating tales of the kings and queens who loved to watch them take flight, experienced falconers will blow you away with a jam-packed day of history and hawking.
Normal site admission fees apply.
■ Wednesday and Thursday
■ History Live!
■ Cilgerran Castle
■ 11am-4pm
Knights, craftsmen and Barons of the Realm will transport Cilgerran Castle back to the 12th century, offering event-goers an opportunity to experience life as it was for the people who lived there during the Middle Ages.
Normal site admission fees apply.
■ Wednesday
■ Legends of the Sea Crafternoon
■ Strata Florida Abbey
■ 1pm-4.30pm
Strata Florida Abbey invites visitors to join an arts and crafts workshops to celebrate the Legends of the Sea.
Visitors to the workshop will find out why the sea was so important to the monks living at the abbey, while enjoying shell crafts, mermaid crown making, turtle-themed activities and more.
Normal site admission fees apply.
■ Thursday
■ Roman Sword Make and Take Day
■ Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths
■ 10am-4pm
During Kids’ History Festival, visitors can join an armour craft workshop at Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths and make their very own battle sword – Roman style. Normal site admission fees apply.
■ Saturday, August 10 & Sunday, August 11
■ A Medieval Weekend
■ Caerphilly Castle
■ 10am-5pm
A weekend of medieval mayhem will come to Caerphilly Castle, courtesy of the experienced re-enactment group, Bowlore.
From have-a-go archery and armoury demonstrations to sword school and heart-stopping weaponry and living history performances, this jam-packed event will offer fun for all the family.
Normal site admission fees apply.
■ Saturday, August 10 & Sunday, August 11
■ The Princes Retinue
■ Valle Crucis Abbey
■ 10am-4pm
For one weekend only, the Princes Retinue will be in residence at Valle Crucis Abbey to transport visitors back in time with a range of exciting living history displays and performances.
Normal site admission fees apply.
■ August 10, 24 & 25
■ Red Dragon Archery Club
■ Caernarfon Castle
■ 11am-3.30pm
Caernarfon Castle will be transported back to a medieval Wales as archers descend on the mighty fortress.
Visitors will be trained to use a bow and arrow and taught how to defend the castle against attack. There will also be a chance to listen to gripping tales of knightly adventures and watch an arrow-smith make a medieval arrowhead, while the garrison’s fine ladies will be on hand to provide medieval food discussions and herbal remedy demonstrations.
Normal site admission fees apply but to take part in have-a-go archery, there will be in additional £3 fee.
■ Monday, August 12
■ Dragons!
■ Cilgerran Castle
■ 10am-4pm
For one day only, Cilgerran Castle will become home to a family of Welsh dragons – providing visitors with a fun-filled day of storytelling, crafts and even an interactive dragon parade around the medieval fortress.
Kindly note, the Cadw dragons will not be present at this event. Normal site admission fees apply.
■ Saturday, August 17 & Sunday, August 18
■ Tudor Takeover at the Abbey
■ Tintern Abbey
■ 10.30am-5pm
The Tudor Group and the Minstrels of the Forest will entertain visitors with music, singing, dance and interactive living history performances at Tintern Abbey – a jam-packed family event not to be missed.
Normal site admission fees apply.
■ Wednesday, August 21 & Thursday, August 22
■ Dragon Takeover
■ Harlech Castle
■ 11am-4pm
Visitors are invited to join the Alchemy Dragons and Flotsam the Fool at Harlech Castle this summer for an unforgettable family adventure.
Event-goers will come face-to-face with baby dragons, enjoy a carnival dragon procession around the majestic site and have the opportunity to try their hand at a wide range of circus skills with Flotsam, the Castle Jester.
Normal site admission fees apply.
■ Thursday, August 22
■ Knight Training School
■ Criccieth Castle
■ 11am-3.45pm
Visitors are invited to Criccieth Castle to undertake training to become a successful medieval knight in battle. Those brave enough to complete the course will receive a special certificate to prove their ability.
Family-friendly sessions will take place every 30 minutes between 11am and 3.45pm.
Normal site admission fees apply.
■ Saturday, August 24 & Sunday, August 25
■ Meet the Household
■ Plas Mawr
■ 11am-4pm
Visitors can come face-to-face with costumed characters from a time gone by and find out more about the extravagant Wynn family, former owners of Plas Mawr.
Plus, event-goers will be given the opportunity to craft march-pane and join in with historical dancing and games.
Normal site admission fees apply.
■ Saturday, August 24, Sunday, August 25 & Monday, August 26
■ Medieval Bank Holiday Weekend
■ Harlech Castle
■ 11am-4pm
As part of Cadw’s Kids’ History Festival, visitors can step back in time with the Ardudwy Knights at Harlech Castle to experience what life was like inside a medieval fortress.
From have-a-go archery to heartstopping combat performances and birds of prey displays to medieval weaponry demonstrations, this three day event has plenty on offer for the whole family to enjoy.
Normal site admission fees apply.