FIRST LOOK: Kids’ History Festival comes to Wales’s historic sites

Plans unveiled for brand-new celebration of heritage this summer

 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.

Announced today (15 July), the all-new Kids’ History Festival will see hundreds of unmissable events, ‘cool’ activities and educational experiences arrive at 25 of Wales’s historic sites from 01–25 August.

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’s castles, abbeys and historic houses during Wales’s 2019 Year of Discovery.

Targeted at children between the ages of 4-16, the Festival will officially open at Caerphilly Castle on Thursday, 01 and Friday, 02 August — offering everything from Lego castle building workshops to feminist history lectures and even medieval character sketching lessons.

Following this, the month-long Festival will continue with a jam-packed calendar of unmissable family events at historic sites acrcoss Wales — including everything from Willow Weaving workshops at Oxwich Castle to medieval archery lessons at Caernarfon Castle and even an interactive dragon parade at Cilgerran Castle.

And finally, on Saturday, 24 August and Sunday, 25 August, the Kids’ History Festival will formally close at Beaumaris Castle’s annual Medieval Extravaganza, which will celebrate its tenth anniversary in summer 2019 — complete with medieval parades, armoury displays, traditional music and entertainment from minstrels, jesters and even the Castle’s executioner!

With no prior booking required, general admission fees will apply to each Kids’ History Festival event — including the large-scale opening and closing ceremonies at the Castles of Caerphilly and Beaumaris.

Plus, guests to the opening and closing events will receive a special Kids’ History Festival wrist-band on arrival (while stock lasts) and unlimited access to all of the activities and workshops taking place on site.

The ‘Grand Opening’ weekend at Caerphilly Castle will offer a huge range of different activities, experiences and workshops for families to enjoy across the first two days of August, including: medieval character sketching lessons, Lego castle building workshops*, a medieval games emporium, medieval entertainment from Fiery Jack the Jester, sword school, face-painting and musical performances — medieval style.

Festival-goers in Caerphilly can also step into a giant arts-and-crafts tent, where they’ll have the opportunity to paint a huge cardboard castle, take part in the creation of an enormous dragon mural and make their very own medieval shield, sword or crown using recycled waste.

Meanwhile, visitors will also have the chance to take part in regular interactive story-telling sessions with children’s author, Mike Church, and listen to an inspirational talk about women in Welsh history with Cadw Archaeologist, Erin Lloyd Jones — at 1pm inside the Castle’s Great Hall.

All activities will be on offer for the duration of the Caerphilly Castle event — with the exception of the Lego workshops which will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. Two sessions will take place each day, with the first between 11am and 12.30pm and the second between 2pm and 3.30pm.

Meanwhile, the finale event will see Beaumaris Castle bursting at the seams with medieval-themed activities and family-friendly entertainment, including heart-stopping battle re-enactments, weaponry demonstrations, jester workshops and Lego castle building sessions.

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “After many months of planning and preparation, I am delighted to reveal the plans for Cadw’s first ever Kids’ History Festival — which has been designed to capture the imaginations of 4-16 year-old historians and provide opportunities for children to learn new skills at Wales’s historic sites.

“We are always looking at new ways of engaging young people in Welsh history and the month-long Kids’ History Festival has been designed to do just that — with a mix of fun, unusual but most importantly, educational activities on offer for families to enjoy during the school summer holidays.

“I look forward to the festival’s official launch at Caerphilly Castle and hope that the Festival’s contemporary approach to heritage education will inspire the children of Wales and beyond to explore Wales’s unique history and culture for years to come.”

For more information on Cadw’s Kids’ History Festival and for full Wales-wide events listings, please visit the Cadw website, follow @CadwWales or @CadwCymru on Twitter or search Cadw on Facebook.

 Visitors are encouraged to tag Cadw and use the hashtag #KidsHistoryFestival when sharing images on social media.

 Family visitors can enjoy a 20% discount on Cadw family membership until 19 July, using the promo code: HAF2019. Visit the Cadw website for more information.

 ***Kids’ History Festival event listings for south west Wales***

 Thursday 01, 08, 15 and 22 August

Kids’ History Festival: Weaving Willow Workshop

Oxwich Castle

11am – 4pm

Normal site admission fees apply.

Visitors are invited to join artist in residence, Sara Holden, at Oxwich Castle to try their hand at the ancient craft of willow weaving to create their own crowns, dream-catchers or wind breaks for the garden. These family-friendly, drop-in sessions will take place regularly throughout the day.

For more information, click here.

 Saturday 03, 10, 17 and Sunday 04, 11, 18 August

Kids’ History Festival: Discover Owain Glyndŵr

, 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

Normal site admission fees apply, but booking is required.

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 Glyndŵr’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.

For more information, click here.

 

Tuesday 06 August

 

Kids’ History Festival: Majestic Birds of Prey

11am – 4pm

Normal site admission fees apply.

Visitors are invited to take part in an interactive falconry event at Laugharne Castle this August.

Event-goers can quiz the experts, meet the birds of prey and enjoy a series of flying displays, as majestic falcons, eagles and vultures take to the skies above the medieval fortress for an unforgettable family day out.

For more information, click here.

Wednesday 07 and Thursday 08 August

Kids’ History Festival: History Live!

Cilgerran Castle

11am – 4pm

Normal site admission fees apply.

Knights, craftsmen and Barons of the Realm will transport Cilgerran Castle back to the 12^th Century, offering event-goers an opportunity to experience life as it was for the people who lived there during the Middle Ages.

For more information, click here.

Sunday 11 August

Kids’ History Festival: Punch and Judy Show

Oxwich Castle

11am – 4pm

Normal site admission fees apply.

The ancient show of Punch and Judy has delighted generations of children and adults alike.

Young visitors are invited to join the madness and mayhem at Oxwich Castle as Punch tries to prevent the crocodile from eating all of his sausages at this interactive event.

Please note, there will be five shows taking place across the day at the following times: 11.15am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

For more information, click here.

Monday 12 August

Kids’ History Festival: Dragons!

Cilgerran Castle

10am – 4pm

Normal site admission fees apply.

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.

For more information, click here.

Wednesday 14 August

Kids’ History Festival: Flying Kites and Lazy Owls

Cilgerran Castle

10am – 5pm

Normal site admission fees apply.

From flying kites to lazy owls, there will be a range of different birds of prey on display at Cilgerran Castle this August — courtesy of Wings of Wales Falconry. Event-goers can quiz the experts, learn about the history of medieval hawking and even get a chance to interact with the majestic animals on site.

For more information, click here.

Wednesday 14 August

Kids’ History Festival: Meet the Medieval Archer 

Oxwich Castle

11am – 4pm

Normal site admission fees apply.

Oxwich Castle invites visitors to meet a Medieval Archer this August, to find out about the important role of Welsh Bowmen in the European Wars. Plus, event-goers will be treated to a heart-stopping demonstration of an early firearm in use.

For more information, click here.

Sunday 18 August

Gower Calligraphy

Oxwich Castle

11am – 4pm

Normal site admission fees apply.

This August, visitors to Oxwich Castle will enjoy a Tudor-inspired calligraphy demonstration.

At this one-off event, guests will learn about quill cutting, the preparation of ink and paints as well as the art of illuminated letters — complete with an opportunity to create their very own calligraphy keepsake.

For more information, click here.

Tuesday 20 August

Kids’ History Festival: Medieval Medicine Chest

Cilgerran Castle

1pm – 5pm

Normal site admission fees apply.

Visitors are invited to join professional forager, Jade Mellor, on a walk around Cilgerran Castle and down through the woods towards the gorge. A selection of wild and cultivated herbs that would have traditionally been used as medicine during medieval times will be identified and gathered as part of the event.

The foraged finds will then be taken back to the castle grounds, where visitors will make a herbal tea and a wild herbal vinegar to take home.

Please note, all children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, click here.

 Wednesday 21 August

 

The Cilgerran History Man

Cilgerran Castle

11am – 3pm

Normal site admission fees apply.

The Cilgerran History Man, Glen Johnson welcomes visitors to join him for a guided walk and talk around the majestic fortress. Event-goers will learn about the story behind the Castle and understand how and why it was built.

Please note, there will be two tours taking place across the day, with the first starting at 11am and the second beginning at 2pm.

For more information, click here.

 Sunday 25 August

Kids’ History Festival: Medieval Re-enactment

Cilgerran Castle

11am – 4pm

Normal site admission fees apply.

Visitors to Cilgerran Castle can adventure back in time with the Company of the Raven this August to experience heart-stopping living history re-enactments and jaw-dropping weaponry displays — all within the historic grounds of this magnificent medieval fortress.

Guests will even get a chance to meet the retinue of Sir Rhys ap Thomas — a prominent Welsh soldier and landholder who fought during the turbulent Wars of the Roses.

For more information, click here.

 

Sunday 25 August

Kids’ History Festival: Medieval Falconry

Oxwich Castle

11am – 4pm

Normal site admission fees apply.

From flying kites to lazy owls, there will be a range of different birds of prey on display at Oxwich Castle this August — courtesy of Wings of Wales Falconry. Event-goers can quiz the experts, learn about the history of medieval hawking an even get a chance to interact with the majestic animals on site.

Please note, no dogs will be allowed on site for the duration of this event.

For more information, click here.