Work has started on building the ‘Christmas at the Castle’ attractions in the heart of the city as Sayers Events and Cardiff Council create some much-needed seasonal cheer. Running from Thursday, November 12, to Sunday, January 3, Christmas at the Castle is being managed according to rigorous safety standards designed to allow visitors to enjoy themselves in a COVID-safe, socially-distanced environment.
Sayers Events, the operator of the famous Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland, are once again involved in adding sparkle to the city with a variety of outdoor festive features in and around Cardiff Castle that will enhance the Castle’s planned activities such as the Victorian Santa Tours, the Keep Dining Experience and the Lone Stag Bar – giving the people of Cardiff something to really look forward to in these challenging times.
Inside Christmas at the Castle will be an open-air Ice Walk, along the lines of the one introduced at Winter Wonderland last year, but with a wider pathway, to allow greater social distancing and with limited capacity, giving all ages the chance to get their skates on (sessions must be pre-booked on https://cardiffcastle.ticketsrv.co.uk). There will also be plenty of outdoor seating for visitors to enjoy the food and drink on offer around the ice, such as sweet treats and a marshmallow firepit. Social distancing will be observed throughout, and the operator will run strict cleaning and hygiene regimes at all times.
In the Castle moat just outside the entrance, a 33m high Big Wheel will give riders breath-taking views across the city, and there will also be a small selection of festive family rides and games in that area. In the moat on the other side of the entrance there will be a ‘Ski Hut’ style food and drink seating area with an Alpine resort theme, which will be lit and heated. A Yoello app-based ordering system will operate for table service in this area.
Christmas at the Castle will work with local businesses and suppliers, and also provides much needed employment opportunities for local people involved in the industry.
Visitors will pay for each attraction individually, with pre-booking required for the Ice Walk only. Operated by A2H Live, Ice Walk bookings will be available on https://cardiffcastle.ticketsrv.co.uk so that visitors can be track and traced. Face masks are compulsory only in the Skate Hire marquee, as all other facilities are outdoor.
The attractions will be open from noon each day, with the Ice Walk closing at 9pm on weekdays, and 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The moat attractions are open until 10pm every night. With 53 days to enjoy the festivities, visitors are advised to avoid the likely busy periods, such as weekend evenings, so that social distancing can be maintained.
There is also plenty to enjoy in Christmas at the Castle – with the festive Christmas decorations, it’s one of the best times of the year to buy a ticket and explore the splendid Castle rooms. Visitors can book onto the new private Santa tours with people from their own household, they can grab a drink and a bite to eat in the Keep Dining Experience, where they can relax and take in one of the best views in the city, and even indulge in some Christmas shopping for unique Welsh presents in the gift shop.
Cardiff Castle at Christmas will comply fully with all Welsh Government restrictions.