Set in the shadows of Caerphilly Castle, the second largest castle in Britain, this annual festival brings together local and regional Welsh food and drink producers in one of the largest travelling food halls in the country.
With a dedicated cheese market featuring quality cheese producers from all over the country.
The festivities will begin at 3pm on Friday, July 27 with funfair rides between 3pm and 10pm.
The annual Great Cheese Race will follow at 6.30pm with a fireworks display at 10pm.
The event will then continue from 11am on Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29.
Entertainment is central to the festival with live music acts, choirs and dancers.
Caerphilly Castle is transformed into a medieval encampment with re-enactment displays and battles. See what medieval life was like within the castle walls and watch the villagers as they go about their daily tasks.
A huge traditional funfair is open throughout the festival along with many craft stalls lining the castle’s moat. Children’s activities are plentiful with animal encounters, crafts, educational experiences and much more.
The Big Cheese is a ‘must see’ attraction for all visitors, celebrating its 21st year in 2018.
Portraying the history, heritage and culture of Caerphilly. Families from all over the country flocked to Caerphilly to experience this fun filled programme of activities and entertainment.
The Big Cheese weekend is a free event and is expected to attract around 80,000 people.
Getting there….
In order to avoid congestion at this year’s Big Cheese event, please use the park-and-ride scheme in operation.
On Friday July 27, a park-and-ride will operate from Y Gwyndy Campus on Pontygwindy Road, with buses running from 1.30pm to 10.45pm. There is no fee on the Friday.
On Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29, a park and walk will be in operation from Y Gwyndy Campus on Pontygwindy Road at a fee of £2 per car. There are no buses transporting visitor from this site to the event. Visitors will need to walk to the event site. The site is open for parking between 10am and 8pm.
There will be a park-and-ride from St Cenydd School in Trecenydd and Bedwas High School. Both car parks will be operating at a fee of £5 per car, with buses running from 10am to 7.45pm.
For park-and-ride, follow the temporary signs from the A470, A469 and A468.
Disabled parking is located at St Cenydd School Park and Ride.
The drop-off and collection point for Bedwas High Park-and-ride is Castle Court Shopping Centre Bus stop at the front of the castle in the town centre. St Cenydd School park-and-ride buses will drop off and collect on Nantgarw Road at the end of the event site.
On Friday, July 27, the park-and-ride bus from Y Gwyndy campus will drop and collect on Nantgarw Road at the end of the event site.
To avoid congestion and unnecessary delays in getting to the event please head for one of the park-and-rides as signposted.
If you don’t fancy the Big Cheese there’s a very good free event happening in Belle Vue Park, Newport on Sunday 29th July, Parc Pantry Party in the Parc will have lots of lovely local Welsh traders, street food, music, entertainment, a proseco bar and a gin bar, and it’s free entry and lots of free parking around the park, bring the family and the dog to.
Good to have an alternative – The Big Cheese is now outdated !