Reopening and group bookings at Cadw sites

With the recent lifting of travel restrictions in Wales, Cadw are offering the opportunity for September group bookings at a selection of Cadw sites for the month of September.

Sites are operating at greatly reduced capacity due to the current regulations. Therefore, Beaumaris, Caerphilly, Chepstow, Conwy and Harlech can only accommodate group bookings of up to 30 people per group which includes guides and drivers.

Vast castle walls with their reflection glimmering in the moat.

Castle walls high up on a cliff top with a river running alongside it.

Beaumaris Castle and Chepstow Castle

Due to major conservation work happening in Caernarfon Castle and Tintern Abbey group bookings cannot be accepted. However the situation is constantly being reviewed and further information can be found on the Cadw website for each attraction.

For September bookings, visit the Cadw Tour Operator Scheme website and book as usual. However, payment is required for the number booked and not the number arriving on the day. This is due to restrictions on numbers allowed into sites at any one time. All bookings must be received for September at least three weeks before the visit to reserve the tickets. Operators who have already booked for September will need to re-book with correct numbers through the Cadw website.

Cadw has reduced its prices to the public and wants to support the Travel Trade industry, therefore, a further 25% discount is being offered on trade prices for September 2020 tours.

A castle on an embankment surrounded by a moat with bridges crossing the water.

Caerphilly Castle

Guidance and regulations: As you will be aware, guidance and regulations for tour operators in Wales* state that you need to ensure that you and your clients comply with the latest* regulations and guidance. This must include a full risk assessment and consideration of all requirements including (but not limited to) social/physical distancing and our Test, Trace, Protect approach. In respect of transport, coach operators should follow the guidance that applies to public transport operators and ensure that they have undertaken a full risk assessment. Note that from 27 July three-layer face coverings will become compulsory on public transport in Wales.

In terms of group sizes, the new regulations for Wales limit any organised group outdoors to 30 people in total (including organiser/driver/guide etc.) provided certain measures are in place; this can include a mix of households (not limited to the same/extended household) as long as social distancing/other mitigations are put in place.

At each site, the morning sessions will be from 10am to 1pm. The sites will then be closed between 1pm and 2pm for cleaning and the afternoon sessions will run from 2pm to 5pm.

Conwy Castle

Sites re-opening from Tuesday 4 – Thursday 27 August:

Beaumaris Castle - 10 August - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday
Blaenavon Ironworks - 5 August - Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Caernarfon Castle - 10 August - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday
Caerphilly Castle - 6 August - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Chepstow Castle - 7 August - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Conwy Castle - 8 August - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday
Denbigh Castle - 6 August - Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Harlech Castle - 6 August - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Laugharne Castle - 4 August - Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Plas Mawr - 4 August - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday
Raglan Castle - 6 August - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (main picture)
Tintern Abbey - 27 August - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday