Park Authority promises an epic programme of Easter events
A range of activities and events to suit every member of the family will be on offer in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park during the coming Easter holidays.
Coinciding with Discover National Parks Fortnight, a packed programme offers the chance to hop into the festive spirit, while learning more about Britain’s only truly coastal National Park.
An Easter Egg Hunt will take place at Carew Castle between Sunday 2 April and Monday 17 April, with a yummy prize available to those who find the colourful eggs hidden around the Castle. The cost of taking part is £2 per child and normal admission fees apply.
Also returning during the school holidays are Carew’s ever-popular Horrid Histories sessions, which focus on all the things you were never taught in history class. Included free with admission, these fun, interactive talks for the younger generation will take place at 11am on weekdays and feature gory stories, terrible tales and revolting reports about Castle life. Children must be accompanied.
The Forest Fairy Friends will flutter into Carew on Tuesday 4 April for a one-hour performance and workshop, which showcases classical ballet, traditional folk dance, modern dance, song and comedy. An interactive adventure through the natural world, In the Green Woods: A Fairy Tale promotes the importance of caring for the natural environment and our fellow humans. Tickets for the performance and workshop cost £5 per person (adult or child) and should be booked in advance. Please note that this is a third-party event and the admission fee to Carew Castle also applies. Recommended ages 3+.
For those who’d prefer to celebrate Easter with more of a bang, the Launch of the Giant Trebuchet at Carew will take place at 2.30pm on Thursday 6 April and Thursday 13 April. Watch as the power of this ingenious weapon of siege is unleashed and learn how huge stones (along with other nightmarish payloads) were flung with enough force to breach even the strongest of fortifications.
For full details including opening times and entry prices, visit www.carewcastle.com.
Castell Henllys Iron Age Village will also be running an Egg Trail from Saturday 1 April to Sunday 23 April, at a cost of £2 per child. As with Carew, normal entry fees apply.
Experience the Iron Age sessions will take place daily from Saturday 1 April onwards, with the opportunity to learn about life in prehistoric times from friendly members of the Tribe, watch a demonstration of an ancient craft or skill and have a go with a slingshot – weather permitting. A guided tour of the Village is also included in the admission fee. A quieter version of this session, with no loud or noisy activities or demonstrations, will take place on Sunday mornings between 10am and 12noon.
Other school holiday highlights at the Iron Age Village include Prehistoric Activities sessions every Monday to Thursday for an additional fee of £3, and a guided tour of the site through the medium of Welsh on Saturday 1 April. Further information can be found at www.castellhenllys.com.
Visitors to Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre in St Davids will also be in for a treat this Easter, with crafty activities, art exhibitions and a Spring Craft Market scheduled for the holiday period.
An Interesting Insects Trail will run between Saturday 1 April and Sunday 16 April. Entry costs £3 per child and a small prize is included. For those in the mood for some nature-inspired creativity, Oriel y Parc’s Wednesday Club! is well worth a visit. On Wednesday 5 April, a bee-friendly planting workshop will take place; while on Wednesday 12 April, participants will create a colourful pinecone insect or a natural recycled pod to encourage ladybirds into their gardens. Both workshops run from 11am-3pm on a drop-in basis, at a cost of £3 per child.
Oriel y Parc’s first craft market of 2023 will take place on Saturday 8 April between 10am and 3pm. Featuring handpicked local stallholders selling handmade crafts and produce, it presents a wonderful opportunity to find unusual gifts or the perfect keepsake.
For those interested in art with a local flavour, St Davids and Solva Art Group will be holding a spring exhibition in the Gallery’s Discovery Room between Monday 3 April and Sunday 9 April. Made up of a local group of amateur artists who live near St Davids and meet weekly in the nearby fishing village of Solva, proceeds of the sales will be donated to local charities.
For more details on events and exhibitions at Oriel y Parc, visit www.orielyparc.co.uk.
As well as a busy programme of activities, events and exhibitions at the Authority’s three visitor attractions, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and about this Easter and discover more about the Park’s history, culture and wildlife with an expert guide.
A Smugglers and Pirates walk will take place in the Solva area on Friday 7 April between 10am and 12.30pm, while sand and coal will form the focus of a guided walk in Saundersfoot on Saturday 8 April.
The first Castlemartin Range Walk of 2023 will take place on Sunday 9 April from 9.30am-4.30pm. The Brownslade Circuit walk offers a great opportunity to see and learn about the rarely visited internal areas of the Range and discover its wildlife, current military uses and history. Over 18s only. Limited facilities on site. No dogs allowed. £6 per person.
Booking is essential for all guided walks. Please visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/events to reserve your place.
