Castles and Princes, Wales greatest story

Tourists to south and west Wales castles will have their imaginations stirred thanks to new visitor experiences that tell the story of the Princes of Deheubarth .

Visitors will be transported back in time, picturing the knights of yesteryear, polishing their armour and clattering over draw-bridges, as part of an £800,000 enhancement to bring the story of Castles and Princes to life. More than £330,000 has been invested in Carmarthenshire with the remainder assisting projects in Pembrokeshire and Swansea.

The Castles and Princes project will be launched on October 23 at Dinefwr Castle by Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates.

He said: “The Castles and Princes project is an excellent example of how our history can play a vitally important role in our economic future. Improving the experience for visitors to our historic sites and linking them together so visitors stay for longer is one of the main objectives of the Heritage Tourism Project. This benefits not only the heritage sector but the wider hospitality industry in Wales.

“Integrating technology into the interpretation at the sites is also an exciting development. In an increasingly digital world, developing new ways of increasing people’s engagement with, and enjoyment of, our culture and heritage is very important so it is very pleasing Wales is leading the way in this field. This is particularly important in encouraging young people to get involved in and to learn more about their own local history. I hope the new facilities will therefore encourage tourists and locals alike to visit these wonderful castles in South West Wales.”

There will be a tour of the new interpretation trail at Dinefwr Park and Castle with Mike the Knight who will be suitably armour clad.

The project programme to refresh the great visitor attractions is part of Cadw’s £19million Heritage Tourism Project which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Welsh Government’s Targeted Match Funding. The Welsh Government has provided £365,000 funding through Regeneration Funding, Targeted Match Funding and Cadw and ERDF has provided £361,000.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s executive board member for regeneration and leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell, said the Castles and Princes project was a tremendous partnership between the City and County of Swansea withSwansea Castle; Carreg Cennen Castle and Farm; Pembroke Castle Trust with Pembroke Castle; the National Trust and Cadw with Dinefwr Castle and Laugharne Town Council with Laugharne with support from Welsh Government and Cadw.

She said: “This funding has enabled technological make-overs of each of the locations that brings alive the experience of visiting the castles.

“Castles are always popular with visitors and locals. These sensible and sensitive enhancements will help enliven these glorious monuments giving the visitor an entirely new perspective, irrespective of how many times they may have been visitors before.

“The project will also help open Wales’s outstanding heritage to a wider audience by making it more enjoyable both for visitors and for people who live in Wales.“

Castle site improvements include, at Dinefwr: the introduction of Timeline, App based technology, an information kiosk, interpretation panels and a castle trail including audio. Carreg Cennen Castle has two touch tables to make the precariously perched castle experience more enjoyable. Carmarthen Castle has a welcome panel, touch table, floor markers, finger post, timeline and Cor-Ten figures with audio that bring alive a visit there. Swansea Castle in the city centre has interpretation panels, a castle trail, ground improvement works to forecourt area and a well marker. Pembroke Castle has a painted floor map of Wales in the centre of the castle with chess pieces, life-sized figures and audio, brass rubbings and interpretation trail with film footage. Laugharne Castle has an interpretation panel.