Caerphilly Castle
Published

Following the huge success of last year’s Caerphilly Castle ice rink, Cadw is delighted to confirm that the ice rink will return to the iconic venue from Friday 6 December.

For one month, Friday 6 December 2019 to Sunday 6 January 2020, Caerphilly Castle will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland, where guests can enjoy outdoor skating on a real ice rink, indulge in treats from a pop-up cafe and visits from Father Christmas are also planned.

The ice rink will be open from 12pm to 9pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays and from 10am to 9pm on Friday, Saturday and Sundays — last skate at 8pm, with each slot lasting 45 minutes. The rink will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Skate sessions, within the walls of Wales’s largest castle, should be pre-booked online at ticketsource.co.uk/caerphilly-castle-ice-rink, with tickets priced at £6.50 for children under 14, £9.00 for adults and £27.00 for families (two adults and two children) with standard skate hire included in the skate price.

Ten penguin-shaped ‘ice walkers’ per session will be available at an extra cost for younger guests, (first come first served) with children aged 3-7 years only permitted to skate when accompanied by an adult.

Discounted school bookings are available from 12pm to 5pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday by calling 02920 099087

Special concessions are also available on weekday group bookings for clubs, choirs, local sports teams and office parties from 12pm–5pm.

Visitors in wheelchairs are welcome to enter the ice rink, but must be joined by a companion. Meanwhile, Autism friendly sessions will take place on Sunday, 15 December at 10am and Wednesday 18 December at 12pm.

The debut event has been organised by Cadw in partnership with Castle Court Shopping Centre, Caerphilly County Council, Caerphilly Town Council, Transport for Wales and 11th Hour.

The event ties into Cadw’s three year £5.3m investment plan which aims to transform the castle into a world class heritage attraction, increasing visitor numbers and making the monument more sustainable. Based on a recently completed masterplan, this new ambitious programme will truly enhance visitors’ experience through improved welcome, floodlighting, catering offer and innovative interpretation. Critical conservation work will also help improve their understanding and enjoyment of one Wales’s most important historic sites.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Lord Elis-Thomas, said:

“Following the success of last year, we are delighted to announce that the ice-skating experience will be returning to Caerphilly Castle this December. We look forward to seeing people of all ages enjoying the surrounding of this magnificent castle in the lead up to Christmas”.

Cllr Sean Morgan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member with responsibility for tourism at Caerphilly County Borough Council, said:

“The return of the ice rink to Caerphilly Castle is welcome news, not only for our residents but also for visitors to the area.  We work closely with Cadw to promote Caerphilly as a tourist destination of choice and are pleased to support them in launching this year’s ice rink and festive events”.