Investment In Interpretation Reveals Raglan Castle’s Role In The Invention Of The Steam Engine

An innovative interpretation project, which brings to life Raglan Castle’s eccentric history and surprising role in scientific discoveries, has been unveiled today. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The boost has seen the castle launch a suite of traditional and interactive digital experiences designed to tell the story of Raglan’s rich history – from crazy contraptions to imaginative inventions. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

One of the eight inventions is a Tudor-style lawn mower, which may have been used to keep the bowls green in top condition, replacing the sheep – but is it real? ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The installations feature in new family trail, which reveals the world of Edward the Inventor, who grew up at Raglan, and asks visitors to works which out which of the eight contraptions Edward actually invented. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ken Skates, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “We’re always looking at imaginative ways to improve the visitor experience at Wales’s historic sites and the new interpretation at Raglan Castle does just that. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“These exciting developments are a prime example of how interactive experiences can bring a site’s history to life, creating a unique day out for visitors while providing an educational element for adults and children alike to take away with them. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“With further improvements being rolled out at our historic sites in 2016, we hope to engage new audiences and encourage them to explore and enjoy our country’s fascinating heritage during Wales’s Year of Adventure.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Raglan Castle is the biggest castle ever built by a Welshman and is famed for being the childhood home of Henry Tudor – later crowned Henry VII. The castle also gained some notoriety during the Civil War, when it held off Oliver Cromwell’s troops for almost thirteen weeks before succumbing to their might. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

These latest improvements to Raglan Castle form part of Cadw’s Historic Adventures campaign, which brings visitors never-seen-before events and new experiences at our country’s historic sites during Visit Wales’s Year of Adventure. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​