A family ice skating experience is coming to Caerphilly Castle this winter, allowing visitors to skate within the walls of Wales’s largest castle — for the first time ever.
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For two weeks only (Nov 23 — Dec 09), 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 pancake house and visit Father Christmas in an enchanting medieval grotto (08 and 09 Dec only).
Skate sessions should be pre-booked online at ticketsource.co.uk/caerphilly-castle-ice-rink, with tickets priced at £7 for adults, £5 for children under 14 and £22 for families (two adults and two children).
The ice rink will be open from 12pm-9pm on weekdays and from 10am-9pm on weekends, with standard skate hire included in the skate price.
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Ten penguin-shaped ‘ice walkers’ per session will be available at an extra cost for younger guests, with children aged 3-7 years permitted to skate when accompanied by an adult.
Special concessions also available on weekday group bookings for clubs, choirs, local sports teams and office parties from 12pm-5pm. Plus, discount is available on school bookings during the same periods by calling 02920 099087.
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, 02 December at 10am and Monday, 03 December at 12pm.
Festive refreshments will be available at the castle every day while the ice rink is operating and visits with Santa can be booked on the final weekend of Saturday, December 08 and Sunday, December 09.
The debut event has been organised by Cadw in partnership with Heart FM, Castle Court Shopping Centre, Caerphilly County Council, Dragon Signs, Caerphilly Town Council, Dragons Rugby and Ice Arena Wales / Cardiff Devils.
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Lord Elis-Thomas, said:
“We are delighted to announce plans to bring an ice-skating experience to Caerphilly Castle.
“Events such as this create new and exciting ways to help engage people with Wales’s rich heritage and we look forward to seeing people of all ages enjoying the surrounding of this magnificent castle in the lead up to Christmas.”
Deputy Leader of Caerphilly Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for economic development and tourism Cllr Sean Morgan, said:
“We warmly welcome the news that residents and visitors from far and wide will be able to enjoy some extra festive cheer thanks to the ice rink at the magnificent Caerphilly Castle in the run up to Christmas.
“Our strong partnership with Cadw and others is helping to maximise the existing strengths of Caerphilly to enhance its role as a tourist and retail destination of choice and builds upon our future aspirations for the town in our Caerphilly Basin Masterplan.”
