Join Cadw For An Easter Of Medieval Mayhem
Visitors to Wales’s most impressive historic sites can immerse themselves in legendary experiences this Easter bank holiday weekend (14–17 April 2017) as the Welsh Government’s historic environment service (Cadw) presents a packed programme of family events.
From Easter egg hunts at Cistercian abbeys to astonishing combat displays at medieval castles, there are over 20 exciting events taking place at Cadw sites across Wales this Easter, offering entertainment for the whole family.
Highlights include the Medieval Easter Weekend at Beaumaris Castle, which will offer visitors a glimpse into the site’s medieval past with the return of civilians, knights and royalty from its heyday. Guests will even have the chance to become knights for the day and learn how to defend the castle from enemy attack.
While, on Easter Sunday (16 April), families are invited to hop along to a number of Cadw’s iconic monuments, where they can enjoy Easter egg hunts and trails set against a breath-taking historic backdrop.
Other highpoints in the jam-packed Easter weekend include sword fighting displays, archery lessons and medieval weapon demonstrations at Caerphilly Castle’s Medieval Fayre, which will transport visitors back in time to experience an array of heart-stopping medieval moments.
Meanwhile, visitors to Caerphilly Castle on Saturday, 15 April will experience the site’s ‘Feztival of Magic and Comedy’ — a celebration of one of the town’s greatest legends, Tommy Cooper, which will see street magic and comedy take to the medieval stage.
Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure in Wales, said: “2017 is Visit Wales’s Year of Legends, and visitors and locals alike are being encouraged to celebrate it by visiting the legendary castles, palaces, abbeys and prehistoric monuments across the country.
“More than two and a half million people visit Cadw’s 128 sites every year and, with a full programme of events and activities on offer, the Easter bank holiday weekend is the perfect time to get out and explore them.”
Event Listings: (all Wales)
Friday 14 April — Monday 17 April
11am–4pm
Cadbury’s Easter Egg trail at Cilgerran Castle — in association with the National Trust
Hop along to Cilgerran Castle this Easter weekend to participate in the Cadbury’s Easter Egg Hunt in association with the National Trust.
Supported by Cadbury, visitors to the event can “eggsplore” Cilgerran Castle and complete an Easter trail for a chance to claim a Cadbury’s Easter Egg.
£2.00 additional charge per trail.
Sunday 16 April
11am–4pm
Easter Egg Hunt — Various sites
Families can hop along to one of 17 Cadw sites on Easter Sunday to participate in Easter egg hunts. Easter prizes will be awarded to the first children taking part so visitors are encouraged to arrive early.
Participating sites include: Criccieth Castle, Beaumaris Castle, Castell Coch, Rug Chapel, Caerphilly Castle, Denbigh Castle, Kidwelly Castle, Laugharne Castle, Strata Florida Abbey, Valle Crucis Abbey, Caernarfon Castle, Rhuddlan Castle, Plas Mawr, St Davids Bishop’s Palace and Oxwich Castle.
Sunday 16 April
10am–4pm
Edward I’s Golden Egg trail at Conwy Castle
Edward I once arranged for over 400 eggs to be coloured and gold-leafed in time for Easter and this Easter Sunday, visitors to Conwy Castle can try their hand at Edward I’s Golden Egg trail. On completion, visitors will receive their very own golden egg.
Sunday 16 April — Monday 17 April
10am–4pm
Easter Medieval Weekend at Caerphilly Castle
A highlight of the Cadw calendar, this event is popular with people of all ages, with activities spanning from have-a-go archery and medieval games to knightly combat displays and weapon demonstrations.
Sunday 16 April
11am–4pm
Medieval Quest at Harlech Castle
Travel back in time this Easter, with living history, games and a medieval quest at Harlech Castle.
Sunday 16 April
11am–4pm
Easter Fun at Rhuddlan Castle
Visitors will have an egg-citing time hunting for clues in the castle’s annual Easter egg hunt. Plus, families with young children will enjoy Easter craft activities, including the chance to make and decorate Easter bonnets. Plus, the Easter bunny will be hopping around the castle all day.
Friday 14 April — Monday 17 April
10am–4pm
Brother Thomas at Tintern Abbey
Step back in time with Brother Thomas and learn what life was like as a monk at Tintern Abbey. The abbey’s sympathetic and helpful brother will give visitors inside information about the monks’ daily lives, rituals and responsibilities.
Saturday 15 April
11am–4pm
Feztival of Magic and Comedy — a celebration of Tommy Cooper at Caerphilly Castle
As part of the Year of Legends, Caerphilly Castle will host the ‘feztival’ of magic and comedy, in celebration of one of the town’s great legends — Tommy Cooper. Visitors will enjoy street magic and even see some of Tommy’s best tricks before their eyes.
Saturday 15 April — Monday 17 April
11am–4pm
Easter Medieval Re-enactment at Tretower Court and Castle
King Edward’s School will be in residence at Tretower Court and Castle during the Easter weekend, transporting visitors back in time with a range of exciting living history displays.
Saturday 15 April — Sunday 16 April
11am–4pm
Easter Duck Trail at Caerleon Roman Baths and Fortress
An ‘Easter Duck’ trail will be in place at Caerleon Roman Baths during the bank holiday weekend. Visitors will be challenged to ‘hook’ a series of ducks across the site to win a duck balloon and Easter treat to take home. Plus, visitors will have the chance to decorate their own Roman masks.
£2.00 per duck trail. £1.50 to decorate a mask.
Saturday 15 April
11am–4pm
Easter egg trail and Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Blaenavon Ironworks
Visitors are invited to bring their own Teddy Bear’s picnic and enjoy an afternoon of storytelling in Stack Square. Plus, children can participate in the site’s Easter Egg trail, with an Easter prize for the first 200 children to complete it.
Saturday 15 April — Monday 17 April
11am–4pm
Easter Medieval Weekend at Beaumaris Castle
Visitors will be transported back in time at Beaumaris Castle this Easter, with activities spanning from have-a-go archery and medieval games to knightly combat displays and weapon demonstrations. Plus, children can attend the castle’s official knight school and learn how to defend the castle from enemy attack.
Saturday 15 April — Monday 17 April
11am–4pm
Legends of Jurassic Rock at Raglan Castle
Easter visitors to Raglan Castle will enjoy three days of Stone Age shenanigans, with dinosaur walkabouts, prehistoric trails and face painting for all the family.
Monday 17 April
10am–5pm
Easter egg hunt at Tretower Court and Castle
Families can hop along to Tretower Court to participate in an Easter egg hunt. Easter prizes will be awarded to the first children taking part so visitors are encouraged to arrive early.
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