Cadw

As the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, Cadw is charged with protecting the historic environment of Wales, and making it accessible.

Cadw has specific responsibility for 127 historic sites in state ownership. Many of Wales's great castles and other monuments, such as bishop's palaces, historic houses, and ruined abbeys, are protected and maintained in this way, as well being opened to the public.

To this end, it identifies four aspects to its work:-

• Conserving Wales’s heritage.
• Sustaining the distinctive character of Wales’s landscapes and towns.
• Helping people understand and care about their place and history — and the place of Wales in the world.
• Making a real difference to people’s wellbeing in Wales.

Cadw operates most of the heritage sites in its care and opens them to the public. In 2010-11 there were an estimated 2 million visits to Cadw properties. In some cases, these are major tourist attractions and offer tours of the monuments, exhibitions and display panels. Cadw also produces books and guidebooks on many of their properties. However many of the sites are unstaffed, free to access, and have interpretation boards to explain their significance.

Cadw Membership, formerly known as Heritage in Wales, gives the member free admission to all Cadw properties for the length of their membership (annual or life). Cadw has also entered into reciprocal agreements with English Heritage and Historic Scotland and Manx National Heritage.

The five most visited properties in 2010-11 were:

• Caernarfon Castle (192,695 visits),
• Conwy Castle (190,031 visits),
• Caerphilly Castle (94,707 visits),
• Harlech Castle (93,242 visits),
• Beaumaris Castle (80,660 visits).

To provide a better context for the history of Wales, Cadw is developing thematic 'All Wales Interpretation Plans', that can develop themes across numerous sites and localities. There are eight themes:-

• Origins and prehistory.
• Roman invasion and settlement.
• Celtic saints and pilgrimage.
• Churches, chapels and monastic landscapes.
• Castles and Princes of Medieval Wales.
• Artistic responses to the landscape.
• The Defence of the Realm — Pembrokeshire.
• Wales — the first industrial nation.

Making a Difference

The Valuing our Historic Environment Group estimates that in 2011, 30,000 jobs and £840 million per year of added value can be attributed to the Welsh historic environment of Wales, as well as the less quantifiable benefits in leisure, recreation, health and well-being. Historical and cultural events are one of the ways people are encouraged to engage more thoroughly with the places and history of Cadw properties, and some 200 events a year are held.

Maps

To see a mao with a listing of all of Cadw's venues simply search for 'Cadw' in the 'Find A Venue' search box or view the list at the foot of this page,

Alternatively, see a printable map of our sites HERE.