What’s On Summer 2016.
We are in the full swing of summer here in West Wales, and there are lots of different family-friendly events, activities and places to visit – ideal for creating those cherished holiday memories!
Whether it’s nature, history, arts and crafts, artisan foods or music you’re interested in – there’s something to please all tastes and ages. Here are our best picks of what’s on in West Wales for Summer 2016
Welsh Wildlife Centre & Teifi Marsh
Enjoy getting up close to our local flora and fauna at the wildlife centre. With nature trails to explore, bird watching hides, the adventure playground, the willow maze and giant willow badger, as well as the resident water buffalo there’s lots to see and do. In addition there are regular events planned over the summer, which are ideal for children, including : Wildlife Watching, Craft Sessions, Meeting the birds of prey, clay animal modelling, woodland story walks, pond dipping, decorating your own apple bird feeder, llama trekking…and more! Get full details > Here
Castell Henllys
The Iron Age Village at Castell Henllys is another firm favourite with our guests for a family outing.
There are lots of family friendly activities and events being held daily over the summer holidays, including Story Quest, Weaving and Dyeing Demonstrations, Wicker Man building, Fairy Tale Fun, Bushcraft, Birds Of Prey, Wildlife Watch, Archaeology Days, Roman Days, Photo Safari.
Plus… a range of Celtic themed events – with crafts, activities, demonstrations and costumed guided tours, to learn more about life in the Iron Age, and experience what it would have been like to live at that time. The expertly recreated roundhouses and granary, on the original site of the Iron Age foundations are set within 30 acres of beautiful woodland and river meadows in the heart of the National Park – with sculpture trails depicting myths and legends – all available for you to explore and enjoy. Get full details > Here
Cardigan Castle
The recently renovated Cardigan Castle sits at the heart of Cardigan overlooking the River Teifi and offers a glimpse into Cardigan’s past. There are several different exhibitions to enjoy – the Cardigan Castle Story, The Eisteddfod Exhibition (celebrating Cardigan as the birthplace of Wales’s biggest cultural festival), The Barbara Wood Exhibition (the remarkable story of the last private owner of Cardigan Castle), as well as the Story of Cardigan and its colourful past.
Outside you can stroll through the two acre Grade II listed Regency style gardens and see the beautifully carved wooden Eisteddfod Chair.
They also have a number of events and activities planned for the summer months, including concerts (Three Tenors and Ar Ol Tri, Harp Recital, From The Jam, and Only Men Aloud) and an Abseiling Event as part of the Visit Wales 2016 Year Of Adventure. Get further details > Here
Llanerchaeron National Trust Estate
There’s something for all the family on a day out to the Llanerchaeron National Trust Estate, set a little way up the coast from us, in the heart of the Aeron Valley. The elegant Georgian Villa has remained remarkably unaltered for over 200 years, and there is also a farm, walled garden, lake, and service courtyard, including dairy, cheese press room, bake-house, smoke-house and laundry room to explore, for a taste of the ‘upstairs downstairs’ experience.
Their summer events include : Harness Maker and Leatherwork Demonstration, Meet a Master Craftsman Basket Weaving, Wild Bat Nights, Wood Turning, the Ceredigion Craft Makers Exhibition and Sale, plus Geocaching in the beautiful grounds of the estate. Get full details > Here
Cilgerran Castle
Located not far from us at Croft Farm, Cilgerran Castle is a striking 13th Century fortress which perches high above the spectacular Teifi River Gorge.
There are a number of family-friendly events being held at the castle over the summer to give you a flavour of its 800 year history, including History Man Tours, Tudors on Tour, Meet the Marshals with the Landsker re-enactment group, Pembrokeshire Falconry days, and Medieval Bank Holiday Fun. Get more details > Here
Fishguard International Music Festival
If music is your delight, the annual Fishguard International Music Festival runs from 21st July to 2nd August with a programme of predominantly classical music events staged at a variety of venues in and around Fishguard and other towns and villages across North Pembrokeshire. Get full details > Here
Cardigan River and Food Festival
Taking place on Saturday 6th August, the Cardigan River and Food Festival is a celebration of the quality and diversity of the local independent food producers here in West Wales. Make the most of our growing reputation as a foodie destination and enjoy an array of food, drink and award winning produce to eat and buy.
The popular Food Court has plenty of space to relax and eat in comfort in the lovely Teifi riverside setting, and there will be cookery demonstrations by some well known and local chefs showcasing their favourite recipes. The Teifi River – an integral part of Cardigan’s coastal heritage, will play host to a diverse range of water-borne activities including boat rides, long boat and coracle races, and displays by the RNLI. There will also be an Entertainments Area with singers, dancers and groups from a range of genres – Folk, Rock, Dance and Classic throughout the day. Get full details > Here
Local Food Markets
Part of a great holiday is enjoying great food, and we have plenty of choice locally to delight you. Three of our favourites are the local Producers’ Markets, offering local meats, fish, cakes and breads, cheeses, preserves, eggs, vegetables, honey and more!
St Dogmaels Local Producers Market (the closest one to us) takes place every Tuesday morning between 9am and 1pm, and is located at the Coach House Visitor Centre – which also has a small museum, gallery and shop – between the gorgeous Medieval Abbey Ruins and the working Watermill. Much to our delight, they won the Best Market Category in the whole of the UK for BBC Radio 4’s Food and Farming Awards 2016. So…get there early to get the full choice of all the goodies the stallholders sell there!
Newport Street Market takes place on Mondays between 9am and 1pm – perfect to pop along to for provisions before heading to Newport beach.
Cardigan Guildhall Market is a permanent market with over 50 stalls over 2 floors of the Grade II listed Guildhall building. The array of different stalls include foods, crafts, clothes, antiques and collectables, crafts and much more!
Local Agricultural Shows
Part of our rural heritage here in West Wales includes a long tradition of the ‘annual show’ – although we are fortunate to have three great shows near us during the summer months – all with a slightly different character.
They all celebrate our longstanding agricultural culture with an array of different events and displays including farm livestock judging, show jumping and in-hand horse showing, the local hunt, sheep shearing, gun dog displays, sheepdog challenges, dog shows, birds of prey displays, vintage tractors, cookery and country crafts, flowers and horticulture, live dance performances, Food Halls, fairground rides, shopping opportunities….and much more!
Cardigan County Show takes place on 27th July. Get full details > Here
Nevern Show (small but perfectly formed) is on the 10th of August. Get full details > Here
Pembrokeshire County Show prides itself on being the largest 3-day Agricultural County Show in Wales, and takes place on the 16th-18th August. Get full details > Here
The Ceredigion Art Trail
If you are interested in art in all its different forms, the Ceredigion Art Trail is a great way to be able to enjoy the wealth of our local artistic talent whilst out and about on your holiday exploring. There are over 90 artists and groups taking part, with open many opening their studios to the public, and holding group exhibitions. The event takes place from 30th July to 29th August, and you can get full details of dates and venues > Here
Shakespeare In The Abbey
Soak up some of the great bard’s wit in the unique setting of the ruins of St Dogmael’s Abbey as dusk falls and the stars come out. The Abbey Shakespeare Players will be performing the popular comedy Twelfth Night this year, as they return to the Abbey for their 30th production. Perfomances are taking place on 3rd – 6th August. This is an outdoor production so wrap up warmly! Get full details > Here
As you can see – we have SO much to do here in West Wales that we guarantee there’s no need for you to ever hear the words ‘I’m bored’!
These are just some of the highlights that we’ve picked out for you. In addition to all this there are MANY more places to visit, and things to do, including Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo, Heatherton World of Activities, boat trips to Skomer Island, dolphin and sea-life spotting boat trips, coasteering, kayaking, horse riding…plus lots more.
Also there are all the facilities and activities onsite here at Croft Farm & Celtic Cottages for you to enjoy too – including the daily farm animal feeding and egg collecting, the Big Play Barn with Pets’ Corner, adventure playground, soft-play area, heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and gym!
Here’s to a fabulous fun-filled summer!
