FAIRIES SPOTTED At Castell Coch – Is This Video Proof That Fairies Are Real?

Castell Coch – Wales’s fairytale castle has cast a spell over south east Wales for more than a century and now, the enchanting site claims to have proved the existence of fairies. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In a video released today (18 Oct) by the Welsh Government’s historic environment service (Cadw), the grainy footage appears to show a winged creature’s point of view as it whizzes around the castle – and if you listen closely, you can even hear the soft hum of the fairy’s vibrating wings. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Reminiscent of the famed Cottingley Fairies, the magical creatures’ arrival is marked by a series of glittering fairy doors that have popped up all over the castle grounds – suggesting that the mysterious beings have decided to make the castle their permanent home. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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And to help visitors catch a glimpse of the magical creatures, Castell Coch will host ‘Fairy Week’ – a seven-day celebration during October half term (24 – 30 Oct) where families can enjoy an array of magical activities, from fairy spotting to storytelling sessions. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Children following the ‘fairytrails’ can borrow wings or a wizard’s hat to wear as they solve clues to find the site’s hidden fairy doors and their mischievous inhabitants. On completion of the quest, children will be presented with their very own certificate to take home. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Families can also enjoy magical storytelling sessions which will take place on the hour at: 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm every day over half-term. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cadw enlisted the help of local trainees from Cardiff-based workshop, Bespoke Woodwork, to paint and finish the fairy doors. Teaching basic level carpentry and joinery skills, the team works with trainees from Vision 21 – a local charity which provides practical work opportunities for people with learning needs across south east Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, Ken Skates, said: “We are always looking at exciting and creative new ways to bring Wales’s historic monuments to life and Fairy Week at Castell Coch aims to do just that. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We hope that the ‘fairytrails’ will ignite the imaginations of families all over Wales – who for generations, have known the site as ‘Wales’s fairytale castle’ – and encourage them to experience the magic of Castell Coch first hand this half term. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It has been an incredible summer for Cadw with a 19% increase in family visitors as a result of our Caerphilly Dragon marketing campaign. The Year of Adventure has seen us bring new experiences to sites, helping us to attract and engage a new wave of visitors in their local heritage.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Other magical highlights at Castell Coch this season include an outdoor screening of Disney’s Cinderella and a sing-along screening of firm family favourite, Frozen. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Organised in partnership with Cadw and Chapter Arts Centre, the film screenings will take place on Friday, 21 October and Saturday, 22 October respectively. Tickets are £15/£12 for 8pm screenings and £10/£8 for 5pm screenings and are available from the Chapter Arts Box Office: 029 2030 4400. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​