Castles in Wales Join Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

Tourists and local residents are expected to flock to many of Wales’s castles over the Jubilee weekend now Cadw has unveiled a national programme of events to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (2-5 June).

From cooking sessions and medieval siege demonstrations to spooky tours and family plays, there will be a wider range of events than ever before for visitors to enjoy.

Cadw, the Welsh for to keep, is the Welsh Government’s historic environment service. Heritage sites and experiences make a significant contribution to the £4.2 billion worth of tourism spend in Wales annually, with natural attractions, castles and historic sites the top attractions visited by 72% of visitors staying in Wales.

More than two million people visit Cadw’s 127 historic sites every year to discover the dramatic stories behind Wales’s castles, abbeys, and monuments. There are fascinating royal stories to uncover. Many people know that in 1969, the investiture of the current Prince of Wales, HRH Prince Charles took place at Caernarfon Castle but did you know that Henry VII, who was descended from the great Owain Tudor of Penmynydd, Anglesey, spent much of his childhood at Raglan Castle? This weekend families are invited to take a royal step back in time to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in the most dramatic backdrops.

The weekend offers treats for all the senses; from the tastes and smells of medieval cooking and fine wines that once stocked castle cellars at Raglan Castle, to the sound of gentle harp music, the spectacle of classic plays and the feel of firing a trebuchet.

Culture vultures can feel part of history and experience the power of Caerphilly’s Medieval Siege Engines, be part of the action and join the Knights of Harlech Medieval Society at Rhuddlan Castle and meet the Mercenary Longbowmen at Chepstow Castle.

The whole family can enjoy a play and a picnic with the production of the children’s classic, The Railway Children at White Castle, the Restoration of the Crown celebrations at Tretower and Cadw’s Knight will keep everyone entertained at the Medieval Sword School in Castell Coch.

Marilyn Lewis, director of Cadw said, “People across Wales will be celebrating the Jubilee in lots of different ways and we have organised a special programme of events at our magnificent historic sites to join in the celebrations.”

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