THOUSANDS of visitors are set to storm Swansea’s Oystermouth Castle as it throws open its gates for the 2019 season.
Swansea Council and the Friends of Oystermouth Castle run the attraction, which overlooks Mumbles and Swansea Bay.
It will be open to the public from 11am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday from April 2 to September 29 and – for the first time – every weekend in October. It will be closed on Mondays except Bank Holidays.
Forthcoming events include clay making workshops with Mumbles-based artist David Marchant on Saturday, April 13, and an Easter bunny hunt with crafty fun on Easter Sunday, April 21.
Visitors will be able to head back in time to taste a little bit of medieval life on Saturday, April 27, with Swansea-based re-enactors Gwerin y Gŵyr at new event, Knight School, which will reveal what it was like to be a knight of the realm.
You will be able to learn about the legendary sword of King Arthur in the play The Sword in the Stone – A Parody on May Day Bank Holiday, Monday, May 6.
Features of the castle include ancient artwork from the 14th Century, a 30-foot high glass bridge and private staircases leading from vaults to rooms once used as banqueting halls.
Oystermouth Castle was originally built in 1106 after Gower was captured by the Normans. King Edward I, also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, briefly visited the landmark in December 1284.
The gift shop is well stocked for the new season, to include unique gifts, exclusive to the castle, including mugs, tea towels, local books and stationery.
Robert Francis-Davies, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The council works hard alongside the Friends of Oystermouth Castle to maintain this historic attraction and to arrange family-friendly events.
“Many thousands of people visited Oystermouth Castle last year to enjoy a range of activities; we hope that a similar figure will follow suit this year. The castle offers a first class visitor experience that’s as fun as it is educational and boosts tourism in Swansea too.
“It’s great to see such a packed programme of events in this special year, as Swansea celebrates its 50th anniversary as a city.”
Other events this year include Creepy Creatures on May 25, Dungeons and Dragons Day on July 27 and – to round off the summer holidays – Prince and Princesses Day on August Bank Holiday Monday, August 26.
Further conservation work is taking place at the castle this year to safeguard Lady Alina’s Chapel. Castle visitors will have the chance to learn about some of the techniques used to conserve the building.
