Explore Wales’ heritage sites with Children’s Explorer Passport

School holidays are upon us and following last year’s successful summer campaign, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, and the National Library of Wales have joined forces to offer an exciting children’s passport to explore the wonderful treasures of Wales, from museums, and castles to historic houses and gardens.

The campaign which starts this week aims to encourage families resident in Wales to get out and about this summer to visit as many heritage attractions as possible. The special passport, aimed at children aged 6 – 11 years old, has 6 adventures around Wales. Each adventure is in a different part of Wales with exciting places to visit that are a mix of museums, castles and historic houses.

Conquer the castles or find a hidden abbey in north Wales. Get a feel of what it would have been like to live and work in the 18th century at Blaenavon Ironworks and see how the Romans used to spend their leisure time in south east Wales. In the Cardiff area, come face-to-face with dinosaurs in National Museum Cardiff, experience time travelling at St Fagans National History Museum and see the leaning tower at Caerphilly Castle. Visit Cilgerran Castle to learn why it’s changed hands a number of times over its 800 year history or go on a treasure hunt at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth in mid Wales. There’s plenty to do in south west Wales too, like seeing a replica of the world’s first steam locomotive at the National Waterfront Museum or pretending to be a Welsh warrior princess at historic Kidwelly Castle!

The 32 page A6 passport booklet is available for families to pick up at all 21 attractions featured in the campaign. Families will need to visit an attraction to pick up a passport.  Visitors to at least four sites can take part in a competition by collecting stickers as they go around. Collect four different stickers and you can choose from one of the following free gifts – a Mini Bug Viewer, a Forest Friend Eraser Top Pencil, Modelling Clay or a Farm Foam Mask.. There will also be selfie stations at every site for visitors to share their memorable heritage experiences.

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales operates seven museums across Wales National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

Entry to all Amgueddfa Cymru museums is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Government.