Medieval meets Digital at Caerphilly Castle this Christmas with Market and Illuminata

Caerphilly’s Christmas Medieval Market, will be in Caerphilly town centre and Caerphilly Castle, on December 10 and 11 between 10am and 4pm.

Foodies will be in their element as the Market fills the town centre with stands overflowing with seasonal produce fit for a King’s table. Each morning Lord Gilbert De Claire, his Knights and his folk will take to the streets of the town before making their way to the Castle.

Within the castle walls, make way for knights battling for the favour of fair ladies with musicians, jesters, mummers and craftsmen all around. Join Lord Gilbert De Claire as the spirit of a medieval Christmas settles on Caerphilly’s unique and colourful medieval tented village.

As darkness falls, the Castle will be bathed in light for a twice nightly sound and light show. Illuminata, which is supported by the £19m European funded Heritage Tourism Project, backed by £8.5million from the European Regional Development Fund, reflects the fascinating history of this iconic stronghold. Projected onto the castle walls of the Inner Wards, four eras in Caerphilly’s long history will be displayed from Gilbert de Clare to Llywelyn Bren, when much of the castle was destroyed, through to Hugh Despenser and Edward II and the grisly end of an English king, before moving on to the ravages of the Civil War and the castle’s subsequent restoration by Coal Baron, the Marques of Bute.

For something a little special and for those who truly want to make a night of it, there’s feasting and entertainment in the Castle’s Great Hall as the medieval banquets begin – a great end to a great family day out. The banquets will be held Friday, Saturday & Sunday evening following the last Illuminata showing. Tickets are priced at £30 per person booking early is recommended as numbers are limited.

Illuminata 2011 begins at 5pm each night with free entry. Banquets are will also be held in the castle between 7.30pm and 11pm priced at £30 per head.