Children from Ysgol y Castell, had a special treat just before Christmas as they visited Caerphilly Castle, to see the conservation work being carried out in the castle’s Great Hall.
Phase I of the work, which includes the refurbishment of the medieval Great Hall, installation of visitor access paths and ramps, comprehensive new interpretation, and the construction of a wildflower garden, started on 7 August 2023 and will run through to summer next year.
Work will also be undertaken to conserve and open visitor access to the medieval watergate, which once provided access from the water’s edge to the Great Hall. This atmospheric entrance with its long-covered passageway has not been in use since medieval times.
Caerphilly castle has benefitted from £10 million investment from the Welsh Government via Cadw, to conserve the medieval fortress and install new visitor facilities fit for 21st century visitors . These will include a new visitor welcome centre with café, toilets, and an education room so that in the future many more schools will be able to benefit from visiting the castle to learn about Welsh history and events that have shaped our nation’s story.
Speaking of the visit Mrs Callyn Bovington of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg y Castell said,
“The children have really enjoyed learning about the castle in school, so it was fantastic to see the actual work being undertaken at the site.”
“They loved seeing the different stories from the different parts of the castle, but the definite highlight was seeing the work being carried out in the Great Hall. It will look amazing when it’s finished.”
Joan Tamlyn, Business Development Manager at John Weaver Contractors, said,
“Cadw and John Weaver Contractors are very keen to engage with the public around this project, so it was a pleasure to welcome them to the castle and show them around the Great Hall.
“The children were incredibly well behaved, and it was fantastic to see the enthusiasm and interest they had in the castle.”
