Medieval family fun in Caerphilly

Caerphilly’s Medieval Christmas Fayre is the largest fair in South Wales and has something for everyone, whether young or old

Both Caerphilly’s town and castle will be transformed into a historic market for the ninth Medieval Christmas Fayre this weekend.

Starting at 9am on Saturday 8 December, Caerphilly will offer a host of activities for the whole family.

150 traders from around Wales will sell food, drink and crafts from the medieval farmers’ market.

Re-enactments, cookery demonstrations and workshops as well as entertainers like Jack the Jester, magicians, puppeteers and even pickpockets will bring the days of yore to life. Father Christmas is expected at Caerphilly Castle, arriving by horse and cart.

Rubecca Clinch of Caerphilly Council says, “Caerphilly Medieval Market is a fantastic event that showcases the town as a tourist destination.”

The Fayre attracted 10,000 visitors in 2011. Organisers expect more this year.

View Caerphilly Medieval Christmas Fayre in a larger map

Beware the stinky medieval beggars

5 reasons to go to Caerphilly’s Medieval Christmas Fayre:

1) Location

Getting into a medieval mood is easy with Caerphilly Castle as the backdrop. The castle will be putting on events over the weekend, including Santa’s Grotto. Adult tickets cost only £4 and children and concessions are £3.60.

2) Entertainment

The Freemen of Gwent and Sons of the Dragon will be ready for action as they display archery and sword fighting. The Mirage Mummers will act out plays and the dragon puppeteers will tell tales of heroic knights. Medieval thieves and pickpockets will be around and if they get caught, it’s off to the stocks.

Puppeteers with their beautiful dragon dolls

3) Music

The Crafty Beggars will return to the Medieval Christmas Fayre with their medieval tunes and dancing throughout the day. The Singing Plague Victims may not have the most attractive name, in fact there is nothing attractive about them, but their songs are infectious.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEKACTLWDlA[/youtube]

4) Stalls

All that entertainment will build an appetite so a trip to the hundreds of stalls selling a huge range of food and drink is advised. After a filling medieval meal of mulled wine and stew, browsing the craft stalls will inspire all kinds of Christmas gifts: jewellery, sculptures, leatherwork, blown glass, wooden carvings, even swords.

5) Local involvement

Pupils from schools across the country have made banners to be displayed along Caerphilly’s town centre streets. Over 40 colourful flags have been made by children from 15 schools. People can vote for their favourite.