Enjoy arts, crafts, dragons and dark skies in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park this half term
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s three visitor attractions will all be hosting half term fun this February, offering you family-friendly experiences and a flavour of the area’s culture and heritage.
Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre’s offer of free Arty Crafty Weekends will continue from 10am-4pm on every Saturday and Sunday in February. There will also be free sessions daily from 18 to 26 February, except Wednesday 22 February.
Coed Cadw (The Woodland Trust in Wales) will be at Oriel y Parc from 11am-2pm on Wednesday 22 February providing a free tree to those from households in Wales, as part of the Welsh Government’s ‘My Tree, Our Forest’ scheme.
Also on 22 February, there will be a special Welsh Dragon Craft Workshop from 11am-3pm, giving people a chance to drop in and prepare for St David’s Day and the annual Dragon Parade by creating a Welsh Dragon. £3 per child.
This year’s Dragon Parade takes place on Saturday 4 March at 11am as part of the annual St David’s Day celebrations marking the birth of Wales’ patron saint.
There’s also a range of free exhibitions on offer, including On Your Doorstep, which is open 10am-4pm every day in the Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales gallery, showcasing the nature, geology and archaeology that exists all around us.
For full details including opening times and event information visit the Oriel y Parc website or call 0137 720392.
Carew Castle will be open daily from 10.30am-3.30pm from 11 to 26 February. Nest Tearoom will be serving homemade cakes, drinks and light lunches during these times.
Children can also take on the Dragon Quest by using a smart phone to search the castle to find all the fire-breathing creatures. £2 per child plus normal admission.
On Friday 24 February, Coed Cadw (The Woodland Trust in Wales) will be at the Castle from 11am-2pm providing a free tree to those from households in Wales, as part of the Welsh Government’s ‘My Tree, Our Forest’ scheme.
For full details including admission prices, opening times and event information visit the Carew Castle website or call 01646 651782.
Castell Henllys Iron Age Village will be open every day 10am-4pm from 13 to 26 February offering a chance to meet friendly members of the tribe, have a go with a slingshot, watch a demonstration of an ancient craft or skill and be painted with beautiful blue patterns. A guided tour is also included in your admission fee.
On Saturday 18 February at 2.30pm you can find out more about the history of clothing in a special talk titled The Fabric of Past Lives – Slow Fashion in Prehistory. What were clothes made from in the past and how did we wear them, and how do we know? The event will include a chance to try some things out and even try some things on. Entry is £3 plus normal admission.
The Ancient Skills Workshop from 10.30am-12.30pm on Wednesday 22 February will give you the chance to learn how to survive the wild, prehistoric style. Learn how our ancestors made rope from various materials, the essential art of fire starting and other survival techniques. £15 per person (includes access to the site). Ages 7+ (children aged 7-16 must be accompanied by a paying adult). Booking essential.
On Saturday 25 February there’ll be a chance to marvel at The Wonders of the Night Sky at Castell Henllys from 6.30pm-7.30pm. Join storyteller Alice Courvoisier around the roundhouse fire, as she explores constellations and explores tales, myths and legends from different cultural traditions. Weather permitting, there will be an opportunity to admire the night sky and identify some constellations. Please dress warmly. Bring a torch and binoculars. Age 7+. Children must be supervised by an adult. Booking essential. £5 per person.
For full details including admission prices, opening times and event information visit visit the Castell Henllys website or call 01239 891319.
In addition to all these events, you can also explore the National Park’s great outdoors for free on foot. For inspiration on which routes to follow, visit our Web Walks page.
You can also hire mobility equipment for free to help you on your way, including mobility scooters and beach wheelchairs, some of which are available to hire now. For more details visit our Beach Wheelchairs and All-Terrain Equipment page.
