Castell Henllys Iron Age Hill Fort - Activities and Events

Activities and Events at Castell Henllys

There's lots to do and much to see at Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort. It has something for everyone, from exciting and enjoyable family events to beautiful and fascinating walks through the woods.
Why not bring a picnic?
Guided tours of the reconstructed buildings take place twice a day at 11.30am and at 2.30pm and last about an hour. Car parking is free and the gift shop in the valley below the fort is a National Park Information Point and stocks many examples of quality local crafts, interesting books and souvenirs to remind you of your visit.

Visit our award winning turf roofed Education Centre in the meadow by the stream and see our exhibition and display on the Iron Age - you can watch an episode of 'Surviving the Iron Age' which was filmed here and even see the clothes worn by the volunteers when they tried to live as Iron Age people did over 2,000 years ago.

Programme of events for 2009.

Over eighty activities and events take place every year, including storytelling, traditional craft workshops and experimental archaeology.
Living history and dramatic trails for children bring Castell Henllys alive and help visitors to understand the past in a fun and entertaining way.
Disadvantaged groups from the community are encouraged to join in and are actively catered for with advanced notice.

The following events are covered by the admission price unless an additional charge is shown.

Castell Henllys fort dates back to the Iron Age over 2,000 years ago. It was inhabited from 600BC to the 1st century AD when the fort itself was abandoned but archaeologists have uncovered a small but prosperous settlement nearby which was occupied during the Roman Period. Situated in the shadows of the beautiful rolling Preseli Hills the site today is owned and managed by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. Based on archaeological evidence some of the roundhouses have been reconstructed on their original foundations.

Set above the beautiful Cwm Duad and surrounded by a majestic landscape there are so many things to enrich your visit to Castell Henllys. Serenaded by birdsong you can stroll along the pathways or bring a picnic lunch to enjoy by the banks of the Nant Duad where you may be one of the lucky few to spot an otter or one of the many squirrels who make the site their home. Follow in the footsteps of our ancestors and make your way to the fort itself. Here you can join one of the two daily guided tours to find out about life in the Iron Age, archaeological discoveries and the work of the National Park Authority or take a seat by the flickering fire in a roundhouse and dream of yesteryear.

Some of the site artefacts discovered by the archaeologists are on display in our award winning Education Centre. You can also sit and watch real time images of the fort or the river, where birds and animals come to drink, on our two widescreen monitors.

No visit is complete without a browse around our gift shop. We stock a range of local, recycled, organic and fair trade goods, crafts, books and gifts along with snacks and drinks. So, before you leave the site, pop in for a souvenir to remember your visit by or that last minute gift for family and friends.

There are events for all the family throughout the season from costumed guided tours, Iron Age activities for children to craft demonstrations. See below for details, dates and times for specific events.
Castell Henllys is open every day between 10.00am and 5.00pm (last ticket sold at 4.30pm) from Easter to the end of October. For details of our winter opening times please phone 01239 891319 or visit our website www.castellhenllys.com

Castell Henllys Daily Tour - March 30th – Nov 1st 2009
Discover the history of Castell Henllys past and present. Learn about the work of the National Park Authority at Castell Henllys and also Park wide. Daily at 11.30am

Daily Celtic Guided Tour – March 30th – Nov 1st 2009
Take a look at Castell Henllys through the eyes of your Celtic guide and find out about life in the fort during the Iron Age. Daily at 2.30pm

Celtic Fun Activities for Children
Meet a time traveller and journey with them back through the mists of time to tribal Celtic Britain. Activities for children aged 6 - 12. Two sessions beginning at 11.30am & 2.00pm. £2.00 + admission. Booking advisable.
April 6th, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th
May 26th, 27th
July 20th, 23rd, 27th, 30th
August 3rd, 6th, 10th, 13th, 17th, 20th, 24th, 27th
October 26th, 27th, 28th

Witches, Wolves & the Wickerman - a Celtic Fairytale
Come & discover the strange goings on in the woods, Meet fantastic characters & watch the wickerman burn. Fun for all the family. Two sessions starting at 11.30am & 2.00pm £2.00 per child + admission
April 10th, 13th, 17th
May 4th, 25th, 29th
July 24th, 31st
August 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 31st
October 30th

Living in the Past
Meet Arianrhod a lady from the Iron Age. Touch, smell and see prehistoric life in a Celtic roundhouse. Every Thursday throughout the season. 11.00am – 4.00pm Phone for details on 01239 891319

Dyeing with plants & natural materials
Learn about the methods used in the Iron Age to produce vibrant colours using plants and barks. 11.00am – 4.00pm
April 9th, 16th
July 21st, 28th
August 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th

Wildlife within the fort
Explore the site with our ecologists to discover the hidden world of Castell Henllys. Gain insights into the living landscape. Two sessions starting at 11.00am and 1.30pm Limited places. Booking advisable.
May 27th
July 22nd, 29th
August 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
Rhonwen's World
Join Rhonwen on a walk around Castell Henllys to find out about life in the Iron Age. Have your face painted like a Celtic warrior. Two tours starting at 11.00am & 2.30pm
July 21st, 28th
August 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th

An evening of Celtic Songs and Stories.
Listen to the tales and songs of Celtic myth & legend retold by Robin Williamson. £5.00 plus admission. Starts at 7.00pm
Thursday August 13th

The Last Dragon Born in Wales
Listen as the enthralling story of the last dragon born in Wales enfolds. Watch as the dragon comes to life before your very eyes. Start time 2.00pm £3.00 + admission
May 28th & August 19th

Celtic Festival of Imbolc
Please join with us as we celebrate the Celtic Pastoral Spring Festival of Imbolc. Watch the wickerman burn at the end of the festivities.
April 13th

Celtic Festival of Beltaine
Please join us as we celebrate the Celtic Fire Festival of Beltaine. Watch the wickerman burn at the end of the festivities. Fun for all the family.
May 25th

Celtic Festival of Lughnasad
Please join us as we celebrate Lughnasad - the Celtic Festival of the Ripening of the Corn. Watch the wickerman burn at the end of the festivities.
August 31st

Celtic Festival of Samhain
Please join with us as we celebrate Samhain the Celtic Halloween Festival. Watch the wickerman burn at the end of the festivities. Fun for all the family.
October 28th

A Halloween Story of Witches, Wolves & the Wicker man
Something strange is happening in the woods. Come and meet some fantastic characters and watch as the wicker man burns. Two sessions starting at 11.30am & 2.00pm. £2.00 per child + admission.
October 30th

For details of any of the above events please phone 01239 891319

Information
All daytime events are included within the admission fee except where detailed. For information on fees, location and opening times, click here.
For further details of visits or school bookings call (01239) 891319 or email Castell Henllys: celts@castellhenllys.com

Page updated 01/03/2005

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	There's lots to do and much to see at Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort. It has something for everyone, from exciting and enjoyable family events to beautiful and fascinating walks through the woods. Why not bring a picnic? Guided tours of the reconstructed buildings take place twice a day at 11.30am and at 2.30pm and last about an hour. Car parking is free and the gift shop in the valley below the fort is a National Park Information Point and stocks many examples of quality local crafts, interesting books and souvenirs to remind you of your visit.

Visit our award winning turf roofed Education Centre in the meadow by the stream and see our exhibition and display on the Iron Age - you can watch an episode of 'Surviving the Iron Age' which was filmed here and even see the clothes worn by the volunteers when they tried to live as Iron Age people did over 2,000 years ago.