Venue: Castell Henllys, Melin, Nr Crymych, Ceredigion, SA41 3UT
Celtic Fun Activities for Children
Two sessions per day: 11.30 - 10m & 2pm - 3.30pm
Hello kids! Had enough at the beach? Want to do something different? Why not bring your parents to Castell Henllys where they can go on a guided tour of the fort while you can do fun activities with a Celt from the Iron Age. Learn about daily life in a hill fort over 2,000 years ago as you carry out your tasks which include making bread using the flour you grind from wheat grain, spinning wool into yarn or dyeing it using plants. Discover the techniques used to build a roundhouse or help the basket maker weave baskets out of willow. Do you feel brave and strong? Then have your face painted with woad and train to be a warrior in order to protect the fort. If time allows sit around the flickering flames of the fire as you are regaled with tales of bravery and revenge.
Spinning & weaving
Certain skills were an essential part of life in the Iron Age. There were no shops to buy your clothes, your food or your building materials which meant that everyday essentials that we take for granted had to be produced in a sustainable way. Sheep were kept for their wool which was spun, dyed and woven into cloth. To find out more about this procedure why not visit Castell Henllys on a Tuesday or a Thursday. Throughout the season there will a site assistant available to give information about the making of Iron Age textiles.
Dates: Every Tuesday & Thursday from March 20th to October 30th
Dyeing with natural materials
The Iron Age Celts liked to wear colourful clothing and in order to get the bright colours they wanted they used plants and natural materials to produce their dyes. To learn more about the process of getting dye colours from natural materials come along to Castell Henllys to watch the experts.
Dates: Wednesday March 26th, April 2nd, 9th & 16th
Thursday July 24th, 31st, August 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th
Basket making
In the Iron Age baskets were used for storing a variety of goods from grain to clothes. If you would like to learn about the coppicing of willow and how a basket is made come and join our experienced basket maker. Have a go at making your own basket to display in your home.
Dates: Friday April 4th & May 30th
For details of basketry workshops at Castell Henllys please phone 01239 841406 or 01239 891319
