DRAGONS RETURN TO CASTLE
DRAGONS have returned to Wales’ biggest castle as part of a new family attraction including a dragons’ lair and interactive maze.
The two new attractions at the Cadw-run Caerphilly Castle – called Gilbert’s Maze and the Dragons’ Lair – are being revealed today and are part of the organisation’s £570k rebrand of the 750-year-old landmark as part of its Castles Alive! campaign, with aims to turn it into a major UK tourist destination.
Gilbert’s Maze has been designed by specialists involved with The London Dungeons and Madame Tussauds and invites participants to conquer the castle’s defensive system through hidden passageways and challenging obstacles without getting caught by Gilbert de Clare, the owner in the 13th century.
The Dragons’ Lair will be a permanent home for the Cadw dragon family, featuring stunning dragon models created by Wild Creations, complete with an audiovisual display with smoke, snores and a reading of the dragons’ epic tale.
There will also be a number of exciting historic events and onsite activities, from digital dragon spotting with the Little Dragons app and the castle’s popular treasure trail, Castle Quest.
A number of regular live shows are also in the pipeline where 12 century-inspired siege engines will catapult ammunition high above the castle grounds, travelling 150ft across the castle and into the surrounding moat.
The new attractions are part of a wider £9.5m Welsh Government investment over the next three years, including further investment at Caerphilly Castle as well as Caernarfon Castle and other historic sites across Wales.
Welsh Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas said: “The unveiling of Gilbert’s Maze and the Dragons’ Lair at Caerphilly Castle marks a brilliant new chapter in our efforts to bring new experiences and interpretation to Wales’ historic monuments – and where better to start than at Wales’ biggest castle, Caerphilly?
“I’m confident that with the help of the £9.5m investment, we can continue to capture the imagination of visitors from Wales and beyond by improving their experience at sites across the country.”
The number of paying visitors to Cadw sites has increased by almost 20% between 2016 and 2017.
Lord Elis-Thomas added: “We hope that the new attractions launched at Caerphilly Castle will go a long way towards improving the tourism offer of the Valleys and we’re delighted families will have the chance to enjoy our new attractions.”