Group Bookings
You must bring your unique booking reference or QR code on every visit as proof of your tour operator booking.
Lack of a valid QR code or booking reference could significantly delay your group entry and in some cases may prevent admission.
Thank you for your understanding.
Cadw Commercial Team.
We are pleased to offer the opportunity for group bookings at our sites through the Cadw Tour Operator Scheme.
Please check our Find a Place to Visit page for up-to-date opening times for all Cadw monuments and please note there is major conservation work happening at Caerphilly Castle* and Tintern Abbey, access to areas may be restricted at the time of your visit.
*Due to the ongoing redevelopment works within Caerphilly Castle, venue hire and trade bookings will be considered but the site may be subject to last minute closures.
All bookings are to be made through our Cadw Tour Operator Scheme and amendments to bookings can be made prior to the visit by contacting cadwcommercial@gov.wales
All groups must make an advance booking. Following the Welsh Government’s guidelines, you are required to have a risk assessment covering all tour activities.
Groups that include children under 18 must have adequate adult supervision at all times when on site. The required adult to child ratio will vary according to the age of the children, please ensure you meet our supervision ratio requirements.
| Age 3-5 | Nursery and reception | Ratio 1:2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age 5-7 | Primary infants | Ratio 1:6 | ||||
| Age 7-11 | Junior (i.e. year 3,4,5 & 6) | Ratio 1:10 | ||||
| Age 11-14 | Lower high school (i.e. year 7,8 & 9) | Ratio 1:10 | ||||
| Age 14-16 | High school (i.e. year 10 & 11) | Ratio 1:15 |
For information on how to join, how to make a booking and how to amend your booking contact cadwcommercial@gov.wales. If you are a new customer, please contact the commercial team at least two weeks prior to your visit date.
Once you register for Cadw’s Tour Operator Scheme, you can also access reduced rates for Explorer Passes, find out more on our Explorer Pass information page.
Simply contact cadwcommercial@gov.wales and we will provide you with codes to purchase passes at trade rates online.
Please check our Find a Place to Visit page for up-to-date opening times for all Cadw monuments.
| Monument | Adult | Junior*/Student | Over 65s | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | |||||||
| Beaumaris Castle | 8.80 | 6.10 | 7.90 | ||||||
| Blaenafon Ironworks | 6.80 | 4.70 | 6.10 | ||||||
| Caerleon Fortress Baths | 4.90 | 3.40 | 4.40 | ||||||
| Caerphilly Castle | 10.90 | 7.60 | 9.80 | ||||||
| Castell Caernarfon | 12.60 | 8.80 | 11.30 | ||||||
| Castell Coch | 8.80 | 6.10 | 7.90 | ||||||
| Castell Conwy | 10.90 | 7.60 | 9.80 | ||||||
| Castell Cricieth | 6.90 | 4.80 | 6.20 | ||||||
| Castell Harlech | 8.80 | 6.10 | 7.90 | ||||||
| Castell Rhuddlan | 5.50 | 3.80 | 4.90 | ||||||
| Chepstow Castle | 8.80 | 6.10 | 7.90 | ||||||
| Denbigh Castle | 5.50 | 3.80 | 4.90 | ||||||
| Kidwelly Castle | 7.50 | 5.20 | 6.70 | ||||||
| Laugharne Castle | 5.50 | 3.80 | 4.90 | ||||||
| Plas Mawr | 8.80 | 6.10 | 7.90 | ||||||
| Raglan Castle | 8.80 | 6.10 | 7.90 | ||||||
| St Davids Bishop’s Palace | 5.70 | 3.90 | 5.10 | ||||||
| Tintern Abbey | 7.90 | 5.50 | 7.10 | ||||||
| Tretower Court & Castle | 8.80 | 6.10 | 7.90 | ||||||
| *Juniors aged 5–17 accompanied by an adult |
This guidance gives travel trade guides the key information they need to help keep themselves, their groups, Cadw staff and visitors safe.
Prerequisites
- Feel free to ring the custodian team and ask for any advice in relation to ideal stopping / talking locations, and where to avoid.
- Accessibility advice is provided online on each monument’s website page, this should be shared with the proposed group before attending.
- Tour group and guides must wear appropriate clothing including footwear appropriate to the monument’s setting. This must include the predicted changes in weather and climate.
- Tour group must keep any specific medication including that for medial emergencies upon their person.
- There is no facility on site to store buggies or luggage. The terrain is not always suited to buggies, wheelchairs etc.
- Not all staffed sites have toilets or catering.
Arrival
Please remember that all tour guides need to bring the unique booking reference or QR code on every visit as proof of booking. Lack of a valid QR code or booking reference could significantly delay your group entry.
Ensure that accurate group numbers are confirmed with Cadw staff on arrival, as these figures will be used for invoicing. Please ensure the tour guide has the exact category numbers to give to Cadw site staff e.g. 20 seniors, 20 adults, 10 juniors,2 tour leaders.
On arrival, make sure you receive a site-specific briefing from a Cadw member of staff on arrival on the day of their visit discussing the site’s key features, risks and recommended actions. Conditions and arrangements can vary from day to day, so do not assume they will be the same as on a previous visit.
Where applicable, you will be given a site map showing the general layout. It may also highlight key features such as one-way systems and safety warning notices. You must share these key safety messages with your group.
These will be tailored to each site, but the following basic rules apply at all Cadw sites:
- Do not climb on historic or modern structures
- Stay within barriers and guardrails
- Use all handrails provided
- Take care on spiral staircases and leave enough space for natural light to enter the stairwell
- Give way to people coming downstairs on narrow stairwell
Guided Tours
All tour guides must receive a site-specific briefing on the day of their visit. This may include information about changes on site, such as:
- Grounds maintenance
- Conservation projects
- Restricted areas
- Seasonal dangers
Plan the tour around the areas available on the day. Take extra care when entering restricted spaces such as viewpoints, balconies, spiral towers, internal walkways or dead ends. Group size should reflect the space available in these areas. Adapt the tour to suit the group’s needs, size and the site’s layout, and include hydration breaks and rest stops where appropriate.
Be mindful of other visitors’ space and experience when speaking to groups around the site.
Emergencies
First aid is available at the visitor centre; we will need to take some personal details of any injured person plus any witnesses.
Cadw is not responsible or any accident outside of the monument and does not take responsibility for any injured persons who proceed to hospital because of their injuries. In an emergency, always follow staff instructions. Tour leaders must help Cadw staff direct their own group where needed.
Staff Engagement
If you feel at any point during your visit the monument does not look presentable or seen as unsafe, please report to a member of staff as soon as possible.
We look forward to seeing you and your clients again soon.
Email: Cadwcommercial@gov.wales
Tel: 03000 257 182