Kids go free at Welsh castles for Owain Glyndŵr Day

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-09-08 13:11 3 min read

Ancient stone ruins of Ogmore Castle with sheep grazing in the Welsh countryside.

Children and young people under 17 can enter Cadw-run monuments across Wales free of charge on Sunday, 13 September, as part of the 2026 celebrations marking Owain Glyndŵr Day.

The Welsh Government confirmed that the offer applies across Cadw’s historic estate, giving families a chance to visit castles and monuments connected with Glyndŵr’s rebellion. Special activities include a parade at Castell Harlech and costumed guided tours at Castell Cricieth.

Free entry across Cadw monuments on 13 September

Date: Sunday, 13 September 2026
Location: Cadw-run monuments across Wales
Price: Free entry for children and young people under 17
Audience: Families, children and young people
Special events: A parade at Castell Harlech and costumed tours at Castell Cricieth

The free-entry day comes ahead of Owain Glyndŵr Day itself, observed annually on 16 September. The date commemorates his proclamation as Prince of Wales by his supporters in 1400 and the beginning of an uprising against the rule of Henry IV.

Widely regarded as the last native-born Prince of Wales, Glyndŵr led a rebellion that continued for around 15 years. Although it did not achieve its ultimate aims, the campaign became closely associated with Welsh national pride and cultural identity.

Castles with direct links to Glyndŵr’s rebellion

Several monuments covered by the offer were drawn directly into the conflict. Caernarfon, Coety, Dinefwr and Kidwelly castles all faced sieges during the uprising, allowing visitors to encounter the surviving settings of that period rather than viewing the story only through museum displays or written accounts.

Castell Harlech has a particularly strong connection. After its capture in 1404, it became a key residence for Glyndŵr and his family and was the setting for his parliament. Its role in the celebrations will be marked with a parade.

Kids go free at Welsh castles for Owain Glyndŵr Day

At Castell Cricieth, costumed guided tours will bring another form of interpretation to the day. The supplied announcement does not identify the characters represented or provide a tour schedule.

Culture and Sport Minister Heledd Fychan said the free access was intended to bring Glyndŵr’s history to life for younger generations. She described the castles and monuments as storytellers that preserve the legacy of his proclamation and campaign.

Cadw chief executive Dr Kate Roberts said the organisation hopes the offer will encourage more families to explore its sites and experience the history that shaped Wales. She noted that many monuments in Cadw’s care were touched by the rebellion in some form.

Details families should check before travelling

The confirmed offer is free admission for under-17s at Cadw-run monuments on 13 September. The Welsh Government announcement does not provide specific event times, a complete list of participating locations, booking instructions, transport guidance or accessibility information. Families planning to attend should check the relevant monument’s current visitor details through Cadw before setting out, particularly if they want to see the Harlech parade or join a costumed tour at Cricieth.

Source: Welsh Government Announcements

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

Event dates, eligibility, locations and activities were checked against the Welsh Government announcement published on 8 September 2026.

Checks

Confirmed free entry applies to visitors under 17 on 13 September 2026.
Confirmed the offer covers Cadw-run monuments across Wales.
Confirmed a parade at Castell Harlech and costumed guided tours at Castell Cricieth.
Noted that event times and the complete participating-site list were not supplied.

Welsh Government Announcements Check independent coverage