Take yourself on a great adventure to Wales’s heritage sites
21.03.2016
For those looking for an adventurous weekend look no further than some of Wales’s most iconic heritage sites, which will be hosting a series of events as part of Wales’s Great Adventure Weekend (Saturday, 2 April and Sunday, 3 April).
Cadw, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, The National Library of Wales and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales have come together to host a number of heritage events at sites across the country as part of Wales’s Great Adventure Weekend, in celebration of Visit Wales’ 2016 Year of Adventure.
From archery, dinosaur exhibitions and picnics to music events, story-telling and knights and princess trails, there’s an adventure to be had for anyone who dares!
Cadw’s role in the Great Adventure Weekend comes as part of its Historic Adventures campaign, which aims to ignite people’s interest in Welsh history and encourage people to have their own historic adventure.
Ken Skates, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said:
“It’s great to see Wales’s key heritage organisations working in partnership to bring visitors this Great Adventure Weekend. With so many different events happening at sites across the country, there is ample opportunity for visitors to have their own heritage adventures during Wales’s Year of Adventure.”
The Great Adventure Weekend is just the start. Families can continue their adventure trail all through the summer with an all-new list of 24 truly ‘epic’ heritage adventure experiences, including stargazing amongst the ruins of Wales’s best preserved Abbey, seeing Indiana Jones’s hat, whip and jacket up close, creating a Lego castle, traveling 300ft underground into Wales’s mines or even joining a big medieval sleep over in one of Wales’s most iconic castles.
Ken Skates continues: “Visitors can continue exploring Wales’s history throughout the summer by accessing the new list of heritage adventures online. I urge everyone to unleash their adventurous side and take part in this exciting programme of events to find out more about Wales’s remarkable history.”
Great Adventure Weekend Events (2-3 April)
Cadw
Tretower Court and Castle
Archery Adventure @ Tretower Castle
2 & 3 April 2016, 11am-4pm
£8.00 / £4.20 / £16.20 (family)
Live like a 15th Century nobleman in the majestic surroundings of Tretower Court and Castle taking your archery skills to the Castle green and displaying your bravery for all to see.
A fun filled day for families looking to experience the beautiful grounds of Tretower Court as an archer of the Vaughan retinue or member of the 15th century household of Sir Roger Vaughan and his family.
Tretower Court and Castle
A Background on Medieval Marriage
3 April 2016, 2pm-3.30pm
£8.00 / £4.20 / £16.20 (family)
Ever wondered how the fashionable ladies of the medieval period would prepare for a society wedding? The famous bards of the day preparing to present their verse on the beauty and pageantry of the latest union of two influential families! Take a look at the beautiful surroundings of Tretower Court; the great hall as a setting of a sumptuous wedding breakfast with minstrels filling the house with melody.
An informative talk around the marriage ceremonies in medieval Wales and how a family like the Vaughans would have conducted such a ceremony at Tretower Court.
Conwy Castle
Big Day of Adventure
3 April 2016, 12pm-5pm
£7.95 / £5.60 / £21.50 (family)
Join us at Conwy Castle to celebrate the Year in Adventure. Come and enjoy an afternoon of fun and adventure with Erwyd La Fol, the town Jester, a full sword fighting display, birds of prey and extend your adventure in to the town to complete the knight’s quest. Children in medieval costume have free entry to enjoy a fun packed afternoon.
Caernarfon Castle
Picnic in the Castle
2 April 2016, 11am-4pm
£7.95 / £5.60 / £21.50 (family)
Celebrate the Year of Adventure by bringing a family picnic to the magnificent Caernarfon Castle. Throw down a picnic rug in the castle grounds and savour not only your food, but also the atmosphere of the thirteenth century. What an adventure for kids of all ages!
Around the castle there will be a variety of medieval entertainment to enjoy:
- Music from the Syrinx Recorder Group between 12.30 and 1.30
- The Castle custodians’ “1295 & all that…” with an opportunity for young recruits to learn how to defend a castle with a longbow.
- Find out about medieval life with our handling collection.
- Play medieval games like 9-Mens Morris.
- Interact with medieval characters and find out more of the history of Caernarfon Castle and the Welsh Princes.
For the really adventurous there will also be the opportunity to have a go at a Caving Experience. But, best of all, you and the kids get to eat lunch within the castle! No booking required.
Normal admission charges apply – EXCEPT kids under 7 years, in fancy dress or with a picnic go free!
Denbigh Castle
Knights and Princess Day
3 April 2016, 11am-4pm
£4.00 / £2.80 / £10.80 (family)
As part of the Year of Adventure 2016, Denbigh Castle will be facilitating numerous activities to keep all Knights and Princess’s entertained for the day.
Activities include the Knights and Princess Trail, make your own Heraldic Shield or Damsel Hat and Face painting
The Day will conclude at 2.30pm with our Knight and Princess Parade where children can show off their costumes or newly created shields or damsel hat.
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
National Museum Cardiff
Treasures: Adventures in Archaeology exhibition
2 & 3 April, 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm)
£7.00 / £5.00 / 16s & under free
Step into the world of famous explorers and travel on an adventure uncovering treasures from around the world at this exciting new exhibition at National Museum Cardiff. Here you will find extraordinary treasures from popular culture including the hat, whip and jacket of Indiana Jones, crystal skulls, Inca gold and early finds such as Egyptian Mummies and discover the stories behind great archaeological discoveries from the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, Rome, Pre-Columbian America and Rapa Nui (Easter Island), some of which have never been seen in Wales before.
Suitable for all the family, this exhibition will include a whole host of fascinating objects and treasures from ancient worlds as well as more recent examples uncovered in Wales.
Book your tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment for this inspirational exhibition.
National Museum Cardiff
Thomas Henry Thomas (1839-1915) in Focus display
2 & 3 April, 10am-5pm
Free
A small yet fascinating display introducing visitors to the world of Thomas Henry Thomas, born in Pontypool in 1839. Thomas was a passionate amateur practitioner who pursued a career as an artist and illustrator alongside wide-ranging interests in botany, geology, history, archaeology and what we would today call ethnography, a keen promoter of Welsh culture and identity and one of the driving forces behind the creation of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales.
The bringing together of images and objects give a glimpse into the life and work of this remarkable man.
National Museum Cardiff
Wales's Newest Dinosaur display
2 & 3 April, 10am-5pm
Free
How adventurous are you? Step inside the National Museum to discover the skeleton of the new Welsh dinosaur, which is back on display during this Year of Adventure. The dinosaur, which is approximately 200 million years old, is the oldest Jurassic dinosaur ever found in the UK. It belongs to the theropod group of dinosaurs and is related to Tyrannosaurus rex, although this dinosaur was walking the earth about 130 million years earlier than its more well-known cousin.
The new Welsh dinosaur is a completely new species, previously unknown to scientists, making this discovery even more exciting!
National Museum Cardiff
Augustus John in Focus
2 & 3 April, 10am-5pm
Free
Come and find out more about Welsh artist, Augustus John (1878-1961). A leading artist of his generation, he was a wonderful colourist and draughtsman, and at the time, one of the most exciting modernist artists in Britain.
This display brings together a selection of paintings, watercolours, drawings and prints from the Museum’s extensive collection, including images of his family and friends as well as his fascination with gypsy culture.
St Fagans National History Museum
St Fagans Makers' Market
2 & 3 April, 10am-5pm
Free
For those with adventurous shopping side, visit St Fagans Makers’ Market where you can pick up something special that you’d never find on the high street. Suitable for all the family, there’ll be a chance to meet the makers and find out more about their crafts as they run workshops and demonstrations.
National Waterfront Museum
Forget me not: Postcards from the First World War exhibition
2 & 3 April, 10am-5pm
Free
A small exhibition showing a variety of postcards from the Amgueddfa Cymru collections that were made, written and sent throughout the unrestful time of the First World War.
National Waterfront Museum
Chips, Curry & Cappuccino exhibition
2 & 3 April, 10am-5pm
Free
This fascinating exhibition of a young people’s project from the Ethnic Youth Support Team is well worth a visit. Visitors young and old can find out more about the diverse food culture in Swansea and how it has been influenced by people from different ethnic backgrounds that have settled in the city.
National Waterfront Museum
Swansea International Festival Residency
2 & 3 April, 10am-5pm
Free
Take a look the work of Swansea based architect Jonathan Arndell, part of the Swansea International Festival Residency.
National Waterfront Museum
Relics: A photospherical reflection on Wales
2 & 3 April, 10am-5pm
Free
Visitors will see how artist Matt Wright captures various historical sites from around Wales using current technology, presented in a series of amazing 3D photospheres.
National Waterfront Museum
Golden Egg Trail
2 & 3 April, 10am-4pm
Free
Join in an adventure hunt in the galleries to search for the dozen golden eggs nestled amongst the artefacts.
National Waterfront Museum
Tallest Towers
2 & 3 April, 12.30-3.30pm
Free
Put your construction hats on for this wobbly, fun, design challenge. Using K’Nex, test your building skills to create a tall stable tower and see how high you can go before it topples. Prizes will be awarded for the best design.
National Waterfront Museum
Dewch i Ganu Come to Sing!
2 April, 11am
Free
Join musician Delyth Jenkins and learn Welsh through song in a fun and informal way – includes a free cup of tea!
National Waterfront Museum
Horrible History: The Keepers of the Castle
2 April, 1pm & 3pm
Free
Families are invited to join the merry makers for a hilarious and irreverent ride through Welsh history. This show has sword fights, jousting, lovesick princes, boastful earls, hornpipe dancing, songs, witches, inaccurate accents and some of most terrible jokes you will ever hear. A frantic irrepressible dash through four hundred years of Welsh history in fifty minutes flat.
Big Pit National Coal Museum
Easter Quest
2 April, 11am-4pm
Free
Families are invited to join in a Mini Miners Quest around Big Pit. What will you find out about the museum? Find all the answers and at the end swap your completed trail for an Easter treat. Small charge may apply.
National Roman Legion Museum
Hunt the Hare
2 April, 10am-5pm
3 April, 2pm-4pm
£1
Hop to it! Everyone is welcome to join in with the National Roman Legion Museum’s trail, hunting hares around the Museum and garden.
National Wool Museum
Working for Victory: Welsh Industry and the First World War
2 & 3 April, 10am-5pm
Free
On tour from the National Waterfront Museum, this display looks at the impact of the First World War on Welsh Industry.
National Wool Museum
Horrible History Stories: Pirate Adventures
2 April 11.30am – 3pm
Free
As part of the 2016 Year of Adventure, families are invited to come and meet the National Wool Museum’s dastardly Pirate and be wowed by exciting tales of the high seas.
National Slate Museum
Easter Trails
2 & 3 April, 10am-4pm
£1
Follow the Easter Trail through the workshops! Complete the trail and win a prize!
The National Library of Wales
Roald Dahl Show – The Big Friendly Author
1 April, 2pm
£5.00/child
Children will have a chance to be part of Roald Dahl’s scrumdiddlyumptious world as one of his greatest fans introduces us to some of his most colourful characters!
A one man show, suitable for children 7 - 11 years of age. Admission includes a drink and a cake (for the children!).
The National Library of Wales
'Adventure is just a page away' exhibition in the World of the Book
2 April, 9.30am – 5pm
Free
Explore 'Adventure is just a page away', an exhibition looking at adventure in Welsh and Anglo-Welsh literature. Bring back happy memories of childhood and encourage children to go on their own adventure by creating their own comic strip or writing their own story about adventures on land, in the sky, under the sea or in space.
Children can take an adventure around the National Library’s exhibitions with the help of a free brand new activity book, full of exciting activities, games and puzzles.
Printmaking workshop with Elin Vaughan Crowley
2 April, 1.30pm-4.30pm
£8.00/child
An exciting lino print making workshop suitable for children aged 9-12 years.
Media enquiries
For further information, please contact Helen Wild, Jamie Robins, Becky Campbell, Sophie Harris or Robert Doherty at Cadw’s Communications Agency, Equinox on t: 02920 764 100 or e: cadw@equinox.wales
Editor’s notes
Cadw
Cadw, the Welsh for to keep, is the Welsh Government’s historic environment service working for an accessible and well-protected historic environment. For more information, please go to Cadw's website at gov.wales/cadw
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
Amgueddfa Cymru operates seven national museums across Wales. These are 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.
Admission is free thanks to the support of the Welsh Government.
For further information on Amgueddfa Cymru events, please contact Lleucu Cooke on 02920573175 or Lleucu.cooke@museumwales.ac.uk
The National Library of Wales
The National Library of Wales (NLW) serves as the nation’s memory. It is a repository of treasures and facts, a disseminator of knowledge, a venue, a destination, a place to keep the past safe and readily available for all to access, use and be inspired by, now and in the future.
Located in Aberystwyth, the Library plays a central role in culture and heritage as one of Wales’s major national institutions. As one of the six Copyright Libraries in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the National Library of Wales’ collections are vast and varied and are free to access. They include 950,000 photographs, 150,000 hours of sound recordings, 250,000 hours of moving image, 25,000 manuscripts, 50,000 works of art, 1,500,000 maps, as well as 6,000,000 books. More than 5,000,000 individual items from these collections have been digitised and made freely available on the internet.
The National Library of Wales engages in a full and continuous programme of public events that include high-quality permanent and temporary exhibitions with associated educational and presentational activities. These are crucial to NLW’s mission of interpreting the collections for, and encouraging participation by, a wide range of audiences whether onsite, at external locations or online.
For further Information on The National Library of Wales, please contact 01970 632471 or post@llgc.org.uk.
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) is the investigation body and national archive for the historic environment of Wales. It has the lead role in ensuring that Wales’s archaeological, built and maritime heritage is authoritatively recorded, and seeks to promote the understanding and appreciation of this heritage nationally and internationally