Visitors can enjoy free access to Wales’s historic sites this St David’s Day (Sunday 01 March 2020), as Cadwcelebrates Wales’s patron saint.
From castles to abbeys and industrial heritage sites, free tickets for 16 Cadw properties that normally charge for admission have been released and are now available for advance bookings on the Cadw website.
Ticket-holders can choose from an array of sites to explore, from Wales’s largest fortress, Caerphilly Castle, with its iconic leaning tower, to St Davids Bishop’s Palace — located near St Davids Cathedral, where Wales’s patron Saint, Dewi Sant, founded his monastery.
Meanwhile, Conwy Castle, Caernarfon Castle, Beaumaris Castle and Harlech Castle, which collectively form a UNESCO World Heritage site, are also set to open their doors for free, alongside many other spectacular abbeys and castles across the country.
Free entry tickets must be pre-booked online, with selected sites offering a limited number of tickets due to site space and capacity restrictions.
To avoid disappointment, visitors to Plas Mawr and Castell Coch are advised to book their free entry tickets in advance, as there is a strict limit on the amount of tickets available for either a morning or afternoon visit at each of the sites. These are available on a first-come-first-served basis and must be pre-booked here.
Meanwhile, Cadw members will receive 20% off purchases at Cadw gift shops over the St David’s Day weekend (29 February – 02 March), excluding the Beaumaris Castle gift shop, which is currently undergoing refurbishments.
Cadw is also offering a 20% discount on membership, which offers unlimited access to over 100 historical sites from as little as £1.50 a month. In a special celebration of St David’s Day, use promo code DEWISANT20 over the St David’s Day weekend (29 February – 02 March) to receive 20% off your purchase at cadw.gov.wales.
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Lord Elis-Thomas, said:
“Cadw is committed to making Wales’s heritage accessible to everyone and offering free entry on St David’s Day is a fantastic way to do so — all while celebrating our patron saint.
“I hope this opportunity will encourage local people and visitors alike to discover the wonder of Welsh heritage on St David’s Day — and beyond. After all, what better time to get out and explore Wales’s historic sites than during Wales’s 2020 Year of Outdoors?”
The following Cadw sites, which normally charge for admission, can be entered for free on Sunday 01 March 2020: Blaenavon Ironworks, Beaumaris Castle, Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths, Caernarfon Castle, Caerphilly Castle, Castell Coch, Chepstow Castle, Conwy Castle, Criccieth Castle, Denbigh Castle, Harlech Castle, Kidwelly Castle, Plas Mawr, Raglan Castle, St Davids Bishop’s Palace, Tintern Abbey.
Tickets for free entry to Cadw sites on St David’s Day (Sunday, 01 March 2020) should be reserved in advance here: cadwmembership.service.gov.wales/events/.
