Events To Celebrate Spectacular World Heritage Site’s 30th Anniversary

How do you celebrate 30yrs of being an international icon? How about 30 adventurous experiences! ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Archery? Medieval re-enactments? Lego/Minecraft workshops? Arts based activities? Town wall talks? Local Welsh music? These are just some of the 30 plus activities arranged by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Castle and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd World Heritage Site this April. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The events will take place on 16, 17, 23 and 24 April at Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy and Harlech castles, offering a range of engaging opportunities for local families and visitors to learn more and appreciate the spectacular sites which were accredited with World Heritage status in 1986. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In addition to providing fun and interactive activities for families, there will also be an opportunity for attendees to provide their views on how the World Heritage Site should be managed over the next 30 years, to continue to make a positive contribution to people’s lives. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ken Skates, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism said: “These exciting events at all four castles which make up the World Heritage Site are just part of the range of 30th anniversary celebrations taking place this year. Coinciding with Wales’s Year of Adventure, these 30th anniversary events will offer fun and engaging activities for families to learn more about the history of these important monuments. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The feedback gathering sessions are also a crucial part of the events. These impressive castles along the north-west coast make a huge contribution to Wales’s economy, and it is key that we gather feedback and opinions from the local community and visitors on how we can maximise the economic benefit, and continue to conserve and protect them over the next 30 years.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The four castles are cared for by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service. More than 2 million people visit the 129 sites in the care of Cadw, and Caernarfon, Conwy, Beaumaris and Harlech attracted more than 500,000 visitors annually, bringing in over £7million to the local economy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Interactive living history sessions for families will be held at each of the sites, with a wide range of other engaging activities over the four days including: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Harlech Castle
16 April 2016
10.30am–5.30pm
Lego Minecraft workshops, Ardudwy Knights and Archery taster sessions, Harlech Brass band, guided tour, Lego workshops (10.30am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–3.30pm — pre-booking required and additional cost applicable) ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Caernarfon Castle
17 April 2016
10.30am–5.30pm
Costume led living history activities, local choir Lleisiau Mignedd, World Heritage Trail ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Conwy Castle
23 April 2016
10.30am–5.30pm
Lego Minecraft workshops, Lord of the Wings, Children’s medieval games, Photographic collection, Côr Meibion Colwyn, Lego workshops (10am–12pm and 1pm–3pm — pre-booking required and additional cost applicable) ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Beaumaris Castle
24 April 2016
10.30am–5.30pm
History and Talk Tour led by Bangor University, Harpist, Music based activities, ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Normal admission prices will apply. An additional charge of £8 will apply for Lego workshops. More information can be found on the Cadw website — gov.wales/cadw. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​