HOP INTO HISTORY: Knight School and circus skills coming to Kidwelly Castle this Easter

The historic site will play host to a “Knight School” and a special circus skills workshop as part of a national spring programme from Cadw, welcoming families from across the region.

Kidwelly Castle will be transformed on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, with “Juggling Jim” leading the hands-on fun for all ages.

Young explorers can take part in three light-hearted challenges at the Knight School between 11am and 1pm to complete their training.

From 1.30pm, the focus will shift to circus skills, with visitors given the chance to try their hand at juggling, diabolo, and plate spinning in the castle grounds.

The fun continues from Monday, March 30, with a week-long “Easter Quiz” trail that invites everyone to explore the fortress in a whole new way.

Participants will have to hunt for hidden Easter characters and unscramble a secret word to claim a special prize at the gift shop.

Kate Roberts, Chief Executive of Cadw, said: “The Easter break is a brilliant opportunity for families to explore the remarkable history that surrounds them.”

She added: “We’ve designed a varied and engaging calendar of events that encourages visitors to get outdoors and connect with Welsh heritage.”

Cadw has also confirmed that children go free with any adult membership, offering extra value for those planning multiple days out this spring.

The Kidwelly events are part of a wider national programme that includes medieval tournaments and falconry displays at various historic sites.

The castle will be open from 9.30am to 5pm throughout the Easter holidays, with the special quiz trail running until Sunday, April 5.

For more information and to plan your visit to one of Wales’ most striking medieval fortresses, head to the official Cadw website.

“Internationally significant” discoveries shed new light on Swansea’s world-famous industrial past

Archaeologists working on the site, which is set to undergo a major transformation as part of Swansea Council’s regeneration plans, have uncovered machinery, masonry, and furnace networks dating back centuries.

The finds provide an unprecedented window into the evolution of copper manufacture in the Lower Swansea Valley, which once produced an extraordinary proportion of the world’s supply.

Council leader Rob Stewart said:

“It’s fantastic that our finds at this historic site will be enjoyed and studied for decades to come. I thank the expert archaeologists for their ongoing work to catalogue the exciting discoveries in the area of the Musgrave and Vivian engine houses.

“Work on this location’s main transformation will start soon – the engine houses will be made available for a range of exciting public uses.”

Libby Langlands, assistant project manager at Black Mountains Archaeology, said an 18-month full-scale archaeological excavation had been undertaken to “discover and record complex industrial remains buried on the site of the engine houses and attached rolling mills.”

She added:

“Our work will help inform future building designs and heritage interpretation there.”

The Vivian Engine House was built in 1860, with the Musgrave Engine House following around 50 years later. Among the most important discoveries made at the site are:

• A buried machine pit beneath the Musgrave copper rolls, containing surviving machinery including original balancing gears. These remains provide rare, physical evidence of how large-scale copper rolling machinery operated on the site.
• Evidence for a previously unknown line of copper rolling machinery, likely associated with the earliest phase of the Vivian Engine House. This discovery has been supported by historic plans held in the Musgrave archives, revealing earlier stages of development not previously recognised.
• Substantial masonry walls and structural remains predating the existing engine houses, representing earlier 19th century beam engine and rolling mill buildings on the site. Together with historic maps and drawings, these remains are helping archaeologists reconstruct how the works evolved over time.
• A network of brick-built furnaces and flues used to heat, or “anneal”, copper before rolling, a vital process that softened the metal and prevented it from cracking. These features illustrate the advanced industrial techniques developed in Swansea during its peak period of copper production

Archaeologists say the discoveries are of “international significance”, adding fresh detail to Swansea’s industrial timeline while highlighting the importance of preserving and interpreting the site for future generations.

The Musgrave Engine — the only example of its kind in the world still in its original location — is a nationally significant scheduled monument. Alongside the Grade II‑listed pair of engine houses, it forms a key part of the heritage now being better understood through this detailed archaeological work.

Thousands of photographs have been captured as part of a high-tech 3D imaging programme, allowing archaeologists to create highly accurate digital models of the site’s features. This will help historians interpret the finds long after physical work on the site has finished.

All archaeological reports, surveys, plans, drawings and photographs will be archived in the National Monuments Record, curated by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales and the Historic Environment Record curated on behalf of the Welsh unitary authorities for anyone to access.

Dr Kate Roberts, chief executive of Cadw, said:

“These extraordinary discoveries at Hafod Morfa remind us why Swansea’s copper industry holds such an important place in world history. Cadw has been proud to work alongside Swansea Council and our partners over several years to breathe new life into this remarkable site, taking buildings like the Powerhouse, Weigh Bridge and Rolling Mill off the Buildings at Risk Register and securing their future.

“The archaeological work now being revealed at the Musgrave and Vivian Engine Sheds demonstrates what can be achieved through genuine collaboration. By working together, we are ensuring that these historically significant remains are properly recorded and protected, while creating spaces that future generations can enjoy and learn from.”

Progress is continuing across the wider former copperworks site, with new additions set to complement the Penderyn whisky base, including the revamp of an historic laboratory building, the installation of two additional River Tawe pontoons, and the reinstatement of the historic Bascule Bridge.

The council secured £20m in Local Regeneration Fund from the UK Government to support work on parts of its Lower Swansea Valley work.

ST DAVID’S DAY: Free entry to Kidwelly Castle and St Davids Bishop’s Palace as part of Wales-wide heritage scheme

Kidwelly Castle in Carmarthenshire and St Davids Bishop’s Palace in Pembrokeshire are among 17 historic sites across Wales offering free entry on Sunday, 1 March to celebrate the nation’s patron saint.

The scheme is run by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, which normally charges admission to the sites. In lieu of payment, visitors are being asked to consider a voluntary donation to Wales Air Ambulance, though there is no obligation to donate.

How to Claim Free Tickets

Visitors must book their free tickets online in advance through Cadw’s website. Tickets will be sent to the email address provided at checkout, and visitors must bring proof of booking on the day of their visit.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said:

“St David’s Day is such an important opportunity for celebrating everything that makes Wales a special nation with our unique identity and culture. Visiting a Cadw site is a fantastic way to celebrate Dydd Gwyl Dewi and learn more about Wales’ incredible history.”

Jack Sargeant, Minister for Culture, said:

“I am so pleased that Cadw will, again, be giving away free entry tickets for St David’s Day. Visiting one of these special places filled with history is a fantastic way to celebrate what makes Wales unique. I’d urge anyone interested to book their tickets as soon as possible to avoid missing out.”

About Kidwelly Castle

Norman stronghold is a match for the greatest castles of Wales

Kidwelly Castle began in the early 12th century as a Norman ‘ringwork’ castle made of wood and protected only by an earthen bank and ditch. It was under constant attack by Welsh princes including the Lord Rhys, who captured it in 1159.

By the 1280s the Chaworth brothers, powerful Marcher lords, had created the stone ‘castle within a castle’ that still stands today. The fortress features a great gatehouse with drawbridge and portcullis, and four towers of the inner ward creating a “true killing zone” for attackers.

The castle is so impressive it appears in the very first scene of ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’. Even the forces of Owain Glyndŵr couldn’t break through its defences.

Location: Castle Road, Kidwelly SA17 5BQ More information: Visit Cadw’s Kidwelly Castle page

About St Davids Bishop’s Palace

Magnificent medieval palace that rivalled its cathedral for glory

There was only one top job for an ambitious cleric in medieval Wales: Bishop of St Davids in Pembrokeshire. A 12th-century pope had decreed that two trips to St Davids were equal to one to Rome, turning it into a centre of pilgrimage for the entire Western world.

Between 1328 and 1347, Bishop Henry de Gower turned a building only fit for ‘servants and animals’ into an immense palace. The east range was his private domain, whilst the south range was for show and ceremony. It was here in the great hall that Bishop Henry dispensed justice, held feasts and welcomed distinguished pilgrims.

The Reformation marked the beginning of the end, with William Barlow, first Protestant Bishop of St Davids, allegedly stripping the lead from the roofs himself. But even as a ruin, this palace beside its glorious cathedral remains an awe-inspiring space.

Location: The Close, St Davids, Pembrokeshire SA62 6PE More information: Visit Cadw’s St Davids Bishop’s Palace page

Supporting Wales Air Ambulance

Abi Pearce, Wales Air Ambulance Corporate Partnership Manager for South Wales, said:

“People can enjoy visiting some of Wales’ most iconic historic sites on St David’s Day, knowing they are helping save lives! We are hugely grateful that all visitors to Cadw sites will be granted free access and we hope they donate to our lifesaving service. Since our launch in 2001, we have carried out over 55,000 missions.”

Visitors wishing to donate to Wales Air Ambulance can do so at www.justgiving.com/page/llywodraeth-cymru-welsh-government-4.

Full List of Sites Offering Free Entry

The following Cadw sites can be entered for free on Sunday, 1 March 2026:

• Beaumaris Castle
• Blaenafon Ironworks
• Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths
• Castell Caernarfon
• Caerphilly Castle
• Castell Coch
• Chepstow Castle
• Castell Conwy
• Castell Cricieth
• Denbigh Castle
• Castell Harlech
• Kidwelly Castle
• Plas Mawr Elizabethan Town House
• Raglan Castle
• St Davids Bishop’s Palace
• Tintern Abbey
• Tretower Court and Castle

To book your free tickets, visit cadw.gov.wales and select your chosen site.

Historic Kidwelly bridge and dam damaged as Carmarthenshire begins flood recovery

Damage to Kidwelly’s tinworks bridge and dam

The Kidwelly old tinplate works bridge and dam, a Scheduled Monument on the Afon Gwendraeth Fach, suffered visible structural loss during the severe flooding.

Carmarthenshire Council says survey work has not yet started due to high water levels, but from what can be observed at a safe distance there appears to be substantial loss to the upper section of the dam structure. Elevated water levels have been recorded across the scheduled area.

The authority says it will work with Cadw and Natural Resources Wales to agree next steps and secure permissions for clearance and stabilising works. The land around the dam and Gwenllian Pool has been closed for public safety, with residents advised to stay away.

The bridge and dam form part of the Kidwelly Tinplate Industrial Museum, which remains closed while restoration plans are developed.

Emergency works at Glangwili factory bridge

Carmarthenshire Council says emergency clearance and structural assessments are due to begin on Factory Bridge in Bronwydd from Monday 10 November.

Flood debris has built up around the bridge, forcing its closure. The council says specialist contractors and operational crews will remove the material and carry out safety checks, with work expected to last five days.

Overhead power and fibre optic cables will be temporarily adjusted to allow machinery access. The council has thanked residents for their patience while the work is carried out.

Countywide response and support

Carmarthenshire Council says highways crews handled more than 400 incident reports and tackled 175 separate flooding events during the peak of the flooding. Fourteen crews worked overnight with additional pumps deployed to manage rising water levels.

Support services were also stretched. The council says Delta Wellbeing, its arms‑length care provider, received 128 out‑of‑hours calls, while the contact centre answered 630 calls in a single day. Housing and social care teams arranged temporary accommodation and welfare checks, including support for more than 40 residents evacuated from St Davids Avenue in Whitland, with 20 given alternative housing.

In total, Carmarthenshire Council says 189 households and 32 businesses have reported being affected. A hardship emergency fund has been set up, offering £500 payments to households that have been internally flooded, and an additional £1,000 for those without insurance. Assistance is also available for removing damaged goods and furniture, though residents are urged to contact insurers first.

Council Leader Cllr Darren Price said:

“There is no doubt that the impact of this flooding has been significant for many, and I’m grateful to local communities throughout Carmarthenshire for coming together and showing such resilience. The Council continues to support those in need, with practical support and financial assistance available.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Flooding devastates Carmarthenshire dog sanctuary
Fire crews rescued 34 animals after severe flooding left Glanrhyd Dog Sanctuary under water.

£12,300 raised for Glanrhyd Dog Sanctuary
Supporters rallied to raise thousands after Kidwelly floods left animals stranded at the sanctuary.

Landslide washes away Carmarthenshire cycle path
Heavy rain triggered a landslide that destroyed part of a popular cycle route in the county.

#Bronwydd #CADW #Carmarthenshire #CarmarthenshireCouncil #CarmarthenshireCountyCouncil #CllrDarrenPrice #Environment #FactoryBridge #flooding #Grade1ScheduledMonument #GwenllianPool #Kidwelly #KidwellyIndustrialMuseum #KidwellyTinworks #NaturalResourcesWales

Free children’s entry to Cadw sites this weekend to mark Owain Glyndŵr Day

The annual commemoration on 16 September marks the day in 1400 when Glyndŵr was proclaimed Prince of Wales by his followers, sparking a 15‑year uprising against the rule of Henry IV. Although the rebellion was ultimately unsuccessful, it became a defining moment in Welsh history, inspiring a renewed sense of identity and pride.

Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, cares for hundreds of sites across Wales — including several besieged by Glyndŵr during his campaign, such as Coety, Dinefwr and Kidwelly castles.

Minister for Culture Jack Sargeant said:

“Owain Glyndŵr remains one of Wales’ most forthright figures, whose legacy continues to shape our national identity today. By offering free access to children at Cadw’s sites in his name, we’re connecting our next generation with this pivotal period in Welsh history.”

Gwilym Hughes, Head of Cadw, added:

“We hope that by offering free entry to those under 17 more people will be encouraged to visit Cadw locations and give their families a real taste of Wales’ exciting and varied history.”

The offer applies to all Cadw sites open on Sunday 14 September. Usual admission charges apply to accompanying adults.

Normally charged Cadw sites — free for under‑17s on 14 September

Kidwelly Castle, Carmarthenshire
One of Wales’ best‑preserved medieval fortresses, with a dramatic riverside setting and links to the 1136 battle in which Princess Gwenllian was killed.

Laugharne Castle, Carmarthenshire
A picturesque ruin overlooking the Taf estuary, once a Tudor mansion and later inspiring poet Dylan Thomas.

Cilgerran Castle, Pembrokeshire
Twin‑towered fortress perched above the Teifi Gorge, with a history of sieges and strategic importance.

Lamphey Bishop’s Palace, Pembrokeshire
Elegant medieval retreat for the bishops of St Davids, featuring grand halls and tranquil grounds.

St David’s Bishop’s Palace, Pembrokeshire
Magnificent 14th‑century palace ruins beside St David’s Cathedral, reflecting the wealth and influence of the medieval church.

#CADW #CilgerranCastle #Kidwelly #KidwellyCastle #Lamphey #LampheyBishopSPalace #Laugharne #LaugharneCastle #OwainGlyndŵr #OwainGlyndŵrDay #PrinceOfWales #StDavidSBishopPalace #StDavidSCathedral #StDavids

These people disgust me.

BBC News: Community shocked as rare medieval stones damaged. #Cymru #Wales #Cadw

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czjv7pjdzgpo

Public urged to help protect historic sites after vandalism at Neath Abbey

The Welsh Government says ancient monuments, castles and listed buildings are increasingly at risk from unlawful activities known as heritage crime. This can include theft, deliberate damage, unauthorised works on protected sites, illegal metal detecting and anti-social behaviour.

It is a criminal offence to damage or destroy a scheduled monument or to use metal detectors on protected sites without consent. Officials warn that such crimes not only damage irreplaceable heritage but also harm local communities, tourism and the economy.

Neath Abbey targeted Cadw custodians have reported several incidents at Neath Abbey this year. New interpretation signage was damaged and grass torn up after intruders broke into the site and used it as a bike track. In a separate incident, windows to the undercroft were smashed and panels from an as-yet unopened exhibition were destroyed.

Other sites have also been affected. Blaenavon Ironworks’ Cast House was closed to the public after an AV display was vandalised and bricks thrown from the top of a tower. At Caerleon’s Amphitheatre and Barracks, anti-social behaviour has included graffiti, heat damage to Roman brickwork from BBQs, a burnt-out motorbike left at the site and repeated masonry damage requiring emergency repairs.

Culture Minister Jack Sargeant said:

“Heritage crime is more than vandalism, it is a loss of our history. But reporting it can help protect Wales’s past for future generations so I would urge the public to be watchful.”

Since the start of the year, incidents have in some cases forced sites to partially close and delayed planned conservation work while repairs are prioritised.

How to report heritage crime

• In an emergency: Call 999 and use the phrase Operation Heritage Cymru
• Non-emergency: Call 101 and use the phrase Operation Heritage Cymru
• To remain anonymous: Contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org

Damage to scheduled monuments should also be reported to Cadw, and listed building concerns to your local authority conservation officer. Residents can also join their local Heritage Watch scheme.

#CADW #deliberateDamage #heritage #Neath #NeathAbbey #vandalism

£12m Funding Secures Restoration of Historic Bridge in Port Talbot

The regeneration scheme—backed by Neath Port Talbot Council—will restore the Grade II listed structure and introduce a shared pedestrian and cycle track across the bridge, alongside upgrades to Newbridge Road, Riverside Road and Dock Road.

The funding follows an earlier £803,000 Levelling Up allocation awarded in June to support detailed design work for the project. That initial grant allowed the council to begin planning improvements aimed at reducing severance caused by the River Afan and enhancing east-west connectivity across Port Talbot.

Cllr Wyndham Griffiths said the Newbridge Active Travel Link and Dock Access project will “improve walking and cycling connections” and tie into ongoing regeneration work in Civic Square. He added, “It’s very much in keeping with our culture strategy.”

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP described the bridge as “a fantastic project” that will improve connections, unlock jobs and support economic growth.

Originally opened in 1903 during the expansion of Port Talbot’s docks, the plate-girder bridge is noted by Cadw for its unusual design—carrying a strategic road rather than a railway. The bases of original gas lamp posts still stand on its stone piers.

The total cost of the project is £13.5m, with £1.35m match-funded by the council. The funding announcement comes as part of a wider £301m transport package revealed in the Chancellor’s Spending Review.

#ActiveTravel #CADW #featured #Grade2Listed #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #NewbridgeRoadBridge #PortTalbot #UKGovernment

Someone told me about a collab between #TransportForWales and #Cadw, the #Welsh #heritage body.

You get 2-for-1 entry at their sites if you travel there via #train, and judging by the little guide I saw, it's ENTIRELY possible. (So pipe down, car people.)

This is on offer until 30 September 2025, so hop on a train with a friend or partner or child and visit somewhere historic!

You can read more here if you fancy it (I do!): https://tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/rail/savings-and-offers/cadw

#travel #Wales #PublicTransport