Cardigan Castle gets Heritage funding
Posted: 2011-03-29I'm delighted to hear that Cardigan Castle is to be rescued from its slow slide into ruin. A 10-year campaign to preserve and renovate the historic castle has just received a major boost with the announcement that Cardigan Castle has been awarded £4.7 million by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The grant will be used for conserving the existing castle remains and providing visitor facilities. In addition, money will go to improvements in the castle grounds, which are home to unusual trees and an endangered species of bat.
A local group named the Cadwgan Building Preservation Trust have been campaigning for 10 years to save Cardigan Castle from crumbling into obscurity, and now it seems their efforts have been rewarded. Cardigan is one of the last surviving castles in Wales built by a native Welsh prince. It dates to the 11th century, and in 1176 was the site of a gathering which became the forerunner of the National Eisteddfod, a celebration of Welsh language, arts, and culture. The historic castle is set in gardens laid out in the Victorian period.
Buildings in the castle grounds will be used to interpret the history of the Castle and provide space for educational and training use, plus craft workshops and self-catering accommodation. Restoration of the Gardens will include the croquet lawn which will celebrate the history of Eisteddfodau and be used as an area for events
Watch this space for further word on when we can expect to see the castle open to regular visitors once again.
Resources:
Cardigan Castle - our view
Cardigan Castle on the Castles of Wales website
Friends of Cardigan Castle
Cadwgan Building Preservation Trust
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