40+ family-friendly events and activities in and around Cardiff for bank holiday and May half term
It’s Whitsun Bank holiday weekend and May half term and the weather is looking good! If you’re looking for ideas of things to do locally as a family, then South Wales is once again delivering with an action-packed week. Whether you are looking for theatre shows and cultural attractions to visit, or you’re looking for a day trip where you can spend the whole day outside, then there is something here for you.
I’ve rounded up everything I can find. Do add anything else in the comments on any of my social media channels.
All events are subject to change and cancellation – please check ahead with organisers to avoid disappointment.
For more ideas of family days out in and around Cardiff, follow Cardiff Mummy Says on Instagram, on Facebook, or on TikTok.
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Family Fun
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FREE Meet Star Wars characters
The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay
Saturday 23 May, 12pm-4pm
Celebrate new film The Mandalorian and Grogu by meeting iconic Star Wars heroes and villains, who will be patrolling the centre and posing for pictures with visitors.
It’s a free event in aid of Dreams & Wishes Charity, with donations on the day appreciated. Characters come from UK Garrison, all volunteers who build and wear screen-accurate costumes, not just for fun, but to make a difference.
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Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Saturday 23 May
Adults from £13, children under 17 from £5
A double-header as Glamorgan’s women’s team take on Derbyshire Falcons af 3pm and the men take on Gloucestershire at 7pm in the Twenty20 cricket league.
The men are also in action again at Sophia Gardens on Friday 29 May versus Somerset.
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The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay
Sunday 24 May, 12pm-5pm
Five talented henna artists will be creating beautiful designs from 12pm-5pm (charges apply), plus free lantern making crafts, and face painting (12-4pm), and a local makers’ market (12pm-5pm)
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Cowbridge
Sunday 24 and Monday 25 May
£5 per day, £8 for a weekend pass, under 11s free
Cowbridge’s annual celebration of local food and drink. Expect live demonstrations, stalls from local producers, family entertainment, live music and lots more. The event is part of the Vale Food Trail, which sees two weeks of events across the Vale of Glamorgan.
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Treetop Adventure Golf, St David’s Cardiff
Saturday 23-Sunday 31 May
£11.90 for adults and children 6+, £5.40 under 5s, family of 3 £32.40, family of 4 £38.10
Choose from Tropical Trail and Ancient Explorer 18 hole courses – or maybe even both. No need to book, just turn up. Kids play for £5 for one round or £10 for wo when with a full-paying adult (up to 3 children per full-price paying adult)
Victoria Park, Cardiff
Open daily 11am-6.45pm, relaxed sessions for children with additional needs 10am-11am
Back open for summer 2026, featuring 33 exciting water features including sprays, jets, a tipping water bucket, tunnel and more, for toddlers , juniors and older children
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Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd
Saturday 23-Sunday 31 May (plus tickets for al dates up to September are now on sale)
Adults £3.50, children free but must book a ticket; activity ticket (inflatables etc) £3
Lido Ponty is open for the half term with three pools, inflatables and activities, and right next to the huge playground in Ynysangharad Park.
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St David’s shopping centre, Cardiff
Until Sunday 31 May
Explore St David’s and follow the trail using the bespoke ‘Fun with the Flock’ A.R. app to track down nine markers across St David’s. At each location, unlock animated scenes, complete Bitzer the dog’s checklist of fun challenges, and interact with Shaun and his farmyard friends in unexpected places.
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St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
Saturday 23-Sunday 31 May, 10am-5pm
£15 per person
Tackle CoedLan’s 18 obstacles, including a balance beam, zig zag bridge, cargo net and a 50m zip wire. No need to book in advance – buy your tickets in advance or on the day from the reception desk on a first come, first served basis. Participants must be 110cm tall and aged 6 or over in order to take part. Children between 110cm and 130cm must be accompanied by an individual over 130cm and aged 12 years old or over. Maximum weight 18 stone.
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Planetarium and live science shows
Techniquest, Cardiff Bay
Saturday 23-Sunday 31 May
Adults £17, children £15, under 3s free, family (2+3) £58 (Gift Aid prices)
PLUS additional costs per show
Visit Techiquest for more than 100 hands-on science exhibitions. Plus extra events over the Easter holidays include:
Star Tours – 25 minute Planetarium show, ages 7+, £2 per person
Find out more about familiar constellations, the planets, how stars are born and how they die in the digital planetarium.
Bubbles and Blasts – 30 minute live science show, ages 5+
A high-energy live science show asking how bubbles are made and what happens when we fill them with different gases. (Included in admission/Guarantee a space for £1)
The Bath Bomb Lab – 45 minute lab workshop, ages 5+, £5 per child
Learn about the science behind bath bombs, investigate ingredients, scents and colours and make one to take home with you.
Little Bear – 25 minute Planetarium show, ages under 7, £2 per person
Join little bear as she plays dot-to-dot with the stars and spots animals in the constellations, in this 360˚ film, followed by a mini star tour.
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Britannia Quay, Cardiff Bay
Friday 29 May-Sunday 7 June
Online advance tickets: adults £12, children 5-10 £6, families (2+3) £30, under 5s free. Onsite £15/£7/£7
Explore the six decks of the Galeón Andalucía, a replica of the Spanish galleon that for centuries connected the Andalusian community with America and Asia. Discover the ship’s history and chat with the crew to discover what life was like for Spanish sailors 500 years ago. Measuring 55 meters in length, constructed from iroko and pine wood, and nearly 1000 m² of sail surface spread across its seven sails, the ship was crafted with historical accuracy in Punta Umbría, Huelva and reflects the maritime tradition of the Andalusian community.
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Outdoors attractions
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Margam Country Park, Neath Port Talbot
Saturday 23-Monday 25 May
Bring your kite along and join in the fun! Kites of all shapes and sizes.
Plus a full programme of half term events:
Tuesday 26 May: Have a Go Archery: Kidzfun Dinosaurs and Unicorns
Wednesday 27 May: Go Kar Safari; Wildspace Moth Morning; Lucy Lost-it-show; SUP taster; Deer sketching workshop walk; bushcraft and survival skills.
Thursday 28 May: Wizards and Whimsical ales; Carnivorous plants
Friday 29 May: Bushcraft up close to heritage jets, explore real cockpits and survival skills, craft fun, farm day and meet the farmer, archery taster.
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Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Series
Tredegar House, Newport
Saturday 23-Sunday 31 May, 10.30am-3.45pm
Included in regular admission, adults £15.40, children 5-17 £7.70, family (2+3) £38.50, family (1+3) £23.10 (Gif Aid prices) or free for National Rus members
Unleash your energy on a Pokémon adventure this May half-term, celebrating the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Series. For Pokémon fans new and old, get active outdoors on the Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail. Team up as a family to search the gardens for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers, and complete your own challenges. Trail sheets will be available to collect on the day.
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Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan
Saturday 23-Sunday 31 May, 10am-5pm
Included in regular admission, adults £15.40, children 5-17 £7.70, family (2+3) £38.50, family (1+3) £23.10 (Gif Aid prices) or free for National Trust members
Explore Dyffryn Gardens this half herm, with interactive games throughout the gardens including giant Connect 4, badminton, table tennis, boules and archery. Inside the Gallery, younger visitors can enjoy colouring activities, while teens and adults can pick up a Creative Kit inspired by the colours and textures of the gardens in spring. Families can also borrow an Explorer Backpack from the Welcome Centre, filled with tools and activities to help children spot birds, discover trees and explore nature along the way.
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Mountain View Ranch, Cardiff
Saturday 23-Sunday 31 May
£14 per person 3+, 2 year olds £12, under 2s free
A day of free-range fun and family adventure at Mountain View Ranch. Advisable to book in advance. New Minibeast Trail with the Bug Gang, low ropes course and playhouse, plus Ranch favourites including The Fairy Forest, hidden treehouses, giant jumping pillows, The Gruffalo Trail and so much more.
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Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs, Cardiff
Saturday 23-Sunday 31 May
£3 per child
The Rangers need help! A picnic has been stolen and they need to find the culprit. Pick up a trail map from reception, follow the clues and identify the mischievous animal, and then return your map to claim a prize.
Heath Park, Cardiff
Sunday 24 and Monday 25 May, 1pm-5pm
£2.80 entry, £2.80 per ride (under 3s free entry and rides)
Cardiff Model Engineering Society opens its doors to the public with miniature train rides – steam, diesel and electric – plus tram rides.
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Fonmon Castle, Rhoose
Saturday 23, Sunday 24 and Monday 24, Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May
Adults £12, children £10, under 3s free
The world’s favourite superhero swings into action at Fonmon his half term. Come face-to-face with Spider-Man himself, capture the moment with photos and chat with the friendly neighbourhood heroes. Plus Jurassic Wales, Story Trail and Medieval; Have-A-Go Archery and axe throwing (additional fees apply); castle and grounds to explore, children’s Trail, woodland walks and play areas, and more.
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Fonmon Castle, Rhoose
Tuesday 26-Friday 29 12 April, 10am-4pm
Adults £12, children £1, under 3s free
It’s Dino week at Fonmon, with entry for children just £1. Meet the rangers and get up close with baby dinosaurs in a roar-some half-term adventure. Tickets include: Kids Stamp Trail, Jurassic Wales, Medieval Grange, Welsh Folklore Story Trail, Castle & Gardens , archery and axe throwing and face painting are available for an additional cost.
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Bryngarw Country Park, Bridgend
Wednesday 27 May, 10am-11.30am
£12 per child
A Bug Hotel is a fantastic way to attract all kinds of insects and arachnids to your garden, giving them a helping hand by providing them with somewhere to rest and shelter. The workshop will include a guided nature walk around the park where you can collect all kinds of materials to fill your very own Bug Hotel.
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WWT Llanelli Wetlands Trust
Friday 20 March-Sunday 31 May
Adult from £11.15, children from £7.20, family (2+2) from £31.10 (online advance bookings, including donation; more on the door)
Explore the wonderful world of wetlands with Gozzle the gosling, from Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie’s new picture book. Follow the interactive trail to discover what it takes for your fuzzy little friend to become a grown-up goose. From her first nibble to her first splash, right up to the day she flies away on her first migration. Along the way, you’ll strike some funny animal poses, hop along stepping stones to practice your balance, and seek out a meal using your sense of smell. For an additional £4, you can add a Gozzle activity pack, filled with games, puzzles and sheet of stickers. You can also become an animal helper in Gozzle’s Vet Check, where you’ll nurse your toy goose back to health (10am-10.30am/2.30pm-3.00pm during school holidays and weekends).
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Farm parks
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Cefn Mably Farm Park, Cardiff
Saturday 23-Sunday 31 May, 10am-5pm
Adults £10.18 and children £10.18, family of four £38.59, babies under 18 months free
A great all-weather family attraction with a petting zoo, indoor soft play, train rides, mini golf, and outdoor adventures. Plus for half term:
Bubble Man: Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 27, 11am-3pm on the hour
Owl and bird show: Thursday 28 May, 11am and 1pm
Plan your own sunflowers: Friday 29 May, 12pm-2pm
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A Friendship Adventure Together
Amelia Trust Farm, Barry
Tuesday 26-Friday 29 May, 10am-4:30pm
Online advance entry £9.90 per person, £34.30 per group of 4 (more on the door)
Celebrate Friendship Week at Amelia Trust Farm with a Friendship Trail to meet the farm animals, face painting, tractor rides, kindness pebble painting and a Hands of Friendship Tree activity to decorate your handprint with your name and add a word that relates to friendship for you.
Farm open as usual over bank holiday weekend and following weekend with activities including:
Meet the reptiles, Sunday 24 May 11:30am-12pm, £5 per child plus usual farm entry
Meet the small animals, Saturday 30 May 11.30am-12pm, £5 per child plus usual farm entry
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Cantref Adventure Farm, Brecon
Saturday 23-Sunday 31 May, 10.30am-5pm
Online advance booking: adults and children over 93cm £15.42, under 93cm £19.76, babies free (prices are more on the door)
Half term special events include meeting an incredible life-sized Velociraptor, Blue, who will be making special appearances, plus Spirit the Unicorn, a candy cannon raining down a colourful shower of treats, plus pig racing where you can cheer on your favourite porky racer. Plus all the usual farm action including a pet handling show, bottle feeding fluffy lambs, tractor rides through he beautiful countryside, and lots of indoor and outdoor play.
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Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran
Saturday 23-Sunday 31 May
Adults from £11, children 3-12 from £7.50, under 3s free
A packed programme of activities for half erm including pond dipping, flower power seed bomb making, goa walkthrough, cuddle corner, tractor ride, milking demo, plus indoor play barn, outdoor adventure play and woodland play, meet he animals, walking trails and more.
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The Meadows Wildlife Park, Groeswen, Cardiff
Saurday 22-Sunday 29 May
Adults and children 3+ £11.50, children 2 and 3 £5.50, under 1s free
See the animals, pet the guinea pigs and rabbits, enjoy the countryside, and lots of play. Plus every day over the bank holiday weekend and half term, the farm’s popular foam party will be back from 3pm for pumping music and outdoor party vibes.
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Theatre and performance
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Odyssey (Welsh National Youth Opera)
Westen Studio, Wales Millennium Centre
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May, 3pm and 6pm
Age restriction: no under 2s; 55 minutes
WNO Youth Opera present Odyssey, a thrilling operatic retelling of the legendary journey of Odysseus from the Trojan War. Performed at the iconic Wales Millennium Centre in the intimate Weston Studio. This ancient myth is brough vividly to life by 65 young singers aged 8-18, alongside two Youth Opera alumni soloists. By creating a fusion of rap, musical theatre and opera, this dynamic production also incorporates live BSL stage interpretation, creating an inclusive and accessible experience for everyone. a bold, imaginative voyage filled with music, myth and youthful energy.
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The Enormous Crocodile: The Musical
New Theatre, Cardiff
Thursday 28-Saturday 30 May, 11am and 2pm
From £17.50
Age guidance 3+; 55 mins
A new musical based on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book, expect mischievous puppets, a catchy original soundtrack and lots of laughs. The Enormous Crocodile is weaving his way through the jungle to Cardiff in search of delicious little fingers and squidgy podgy knees… Only the other jungle creatures can foil his secret plans and clever tricks, but they’re going to have to find a large amount of courage to stop this greedy brute.
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The Riverfront, Newport
Thursday 28 May, 12.30pm and 3.30pm
£18-£19
Based on the bestselling books by Liz Pichon, and brand new for 2026, Tom Gates EPIC Stage Show comes to our theatre bringing alive the illustrations and music that makes Tom Gates hugely popular around the world! With catchy tunes and hilarious performances, this fantastic new stage show brings the best of the Brilliant World of Tom Gates into one live show!
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Brecon Little Theatre: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoatt
Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon
Friday 29 (4pm), Saturday 30 (2pm and 7pm), Sunday 31 May (12pm and 4pm)
£18
Brecon Little Theatre present the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic in this amateur youth group production. Expect 9- minutes of colour, music and youthful energy from this cast of 60 talented young performers aged 8-18.
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The Riverfront, Newport
Saturday 30 May, 11am and 2.3pm
£22-£32, running time 50 minutes
Join the superstars of CBeebies – Andy Day, Duggee, George Webster, Rebecca Keatley and Rhys Stephenson – as they throw an epic party. A family fun-packed stage show with sensational songs, stupendous surprises and mega moments.
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Chapter Arts Cardiff
Tuesday 26-Saturday 30 May, 7.30pm and Saturday 2.30pm
£16-£18, age guidance 14+. 1hr 30
Set eight months following the Aberfan Disaster of 1966 (in which 144 people were killed; 116 of them children), The Revlon Girl tells the real-life story of a group of bereaved mothers who met every week above a local hotel to talk, cry and even laugh without feeling guilty. At one of their meetings, the women looked at each other and admitted how much they felt they’d let themselves go. So afraid that people would think them frivolous, they secretly arranged for a representative from Revlon to come and give them a talk on beauty tips. The Revlon Girl is packed with character and heartache, entwining the restraints, gossip, humour and sometimes irrationality of a small-town community, with the poignancy of a mother’s loss. It provides a powerful and ultimately uplifting examination of human resilience in the face of immense tragedy.
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Sunny Afternoon: The Kinks Musical
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Tuesday 26-Saturday 30 May, 7.30pm, plus Weds, Thur, Sat 2.30pm
From £19.
Age guidance 12+, 2hr 20 incl interval
Sunny Afternoon celebrates the raw energy, passion, and timeless sound The Kinks one of Britain’s most iconic bands, telling their story through an incredible back catalogue of chart-toppers, including You Really Got Me, Lola, and All Day and All of the Night.
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Museums, castles and cultural attractions
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South Wales Aviation Museum, St Athan
Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-4pm plus Bank Holiday Monday 25 and Wednesday 27 May, 10am-3pm
Adults £13.10 (includes one child), additional child £4.19
Wales’ largest independent and undercover aircraft museum, with interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. Get up close to heritage jets, explore real cockpits and learn about South Wales’ aviation heritage.
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BBC Cymru Wales, Central Square Cardiff
Thursday to Sunday, 10.30am, 12.30pm, 3pm
Adults £15, children £12, family £42; age guidance 7+
A behind the scenes look at the BBC’s newest and most advanced studios. Visit the state-of-the-art television and radio studios to discover the secrets of making a BBC programme, see the BBC newsrooms, packed with cutting-edge technology including augmented reality, virtual reality and robotic cameras, take a sneak peek at TV galleries and other broadcast facilities, and lots more.
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National Museum Cardiff
Adults £10, children free
Until Sunday 28 June. Open Tuesdays-Sundays, 10am-5pm. Closed Mondays, open Bank Holiday Mondays
Gwen John: Strange Beauties is a landmark new exhibition dedicated to one of Wales’ most extraordinary artists. It is the first major collection of her work in more than 40 years, marking 150 years since her birth. Through Edgar’s Eyes, or Trwy Lygaid Edgar in Welsh is a family trail to help 7 to 11 year olds explore the exhibition and learn more about Gwen’s life and career, with imaginative tasks based on various artworks. Tickets need to be booked in advance.
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National Museum Cardiff
Saturday 23 May-Sunday 4 April 2027
Pay what you can, minimum £1
Ffasiwn challenges assumptions about who fashion is for and who gets to shape the way communities are seen. The exhibition is drawn from It’s Called Ffasiwn, a socially engaged, anti-fashion photography project from artists Clémentine Schneidermann and Charlotte James and young people across the South Wales Valleys. Developed over more than a decade, young people act as creative partners throughout the process and shows how creativity comes from within them.
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FREE Crafty Wednesday
Museum of Cardiff, Old Library, the Hayes, Cardiff
Wednesday 27 May, 11am-3pm
Creative and crafty fun for all the family.
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The Royal Mint Experience, Llantrisant
Wednesday 27 May, 10,30am, 12.30pm and 2.30mpm
Adults and children £12 per person; family of 4 £40
Get up close and personal with a range of wonderful creatures, while learning about their natural habitats and how you can play your part in ensuring their preservation. Plus the Royal Mint Experience is open all week for guided tours showing behind he scenes how coins are made for the UK and across the world.
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Chepstow Castle
Adults £10.40, children 5-17 £7.20, under 5s free, family (2+3) £33.30, family (1+3) £22.90, or free for Cadw members
Saturday 23 May Have a go bookbinding
Tuesday 26 May Let’s Discover medieval beekeeping
Wednesday 27 May Make and take
Saturday 30-Sunday 31 May, Sand art: Medieval Shields
Some activities have an additional charge; see website for info.
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Resting at the Abbey during the Wars of the Roses 1471
Tintern Abbey
Saturday 23-Sunday 24 May, 10am-4pm
Adults £9.40, children 5-17 £6.50, family (2+3) £30.10, under 5s free, family (1+3) £20.70, or free for Cadw members
Historical re-enactment event. It is 1471 and a company of Archers and their families rest at the Abbey in order to pay their respects to William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke.
They have set up camp in the grounds and continue to practice their civilian skills, such as fletching, spinning, dyeing, cooking, leather work, rush weaving. See them close up and try your hand at Medieval board and dice games, or braid making. Watch the cooks prepare the company’s meal, question the arrow-smith and bowyer on their skills and kills.
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Tintern Abbey
Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May, 10am-4pm
Adults £9.40, children 5-17 £6.50, family (2+3) £30.10, under 5s free, family (1+3) £20.70, or free for Cadw members
Step back in time and experience the magical melodies of the medieval era. From the love songs of the troubadours to the sacred compositions in honour of the Virgin Mary, this musical journey offers an immersive experience for visitors, allowing you to not only see the instruments but also hear them in action.
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Raglan Castle
Sunday 24-Monday 25 May, 11am-3.30pm
Adults £10.40, children 5-17 £7.20, under 5s free, family (2+3) £33.00, family (1+3) £22.90
The year is 1487 and Henry VII (Henry Tudor) has been king for almost 2 years but there are still many who wish him and his followers ill. Discover who has committed the dastardly deeds and why. Become a detective and help solve the crime and bring the culprit(s) to justice with a prize for the person(s) who deduce who did it and the reason why. Full living history camp, arms and armour and other displays throughout each day.
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For more ideas of family days out in and around Cardiff, follow Cardiff Mummy Says on Instagram, on Facebook, or on TikTok.
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