May

Sat 11th & Sun 12th Cheese & Cider Weekend 10.00am - 10.00pm

The Welsh Cheese and Cider Festival offers visitors a wide selection of locally produced, award winning cheese, cider and perry from Wales. There will also be stalls with locally produced chutneys, pickles and arts and crafts on offer. Visitors will be able to sample and enjoy some of the best cheese and cider Wales has to offer. There will also be a great variety of ciders such as our very own Gower produced cider called the Mill House cider along with many more. There will also be advice on how to make apple juice or cider and there will be a traditional 1890s travelling cider press on site with apple press demonstrations taking place. There will also be a Gower roast and BBQ along with the Mill Tearooms serving a wide range of welsh classics; and not forgetting the popular Welsh Cream Tea, which will be served all day.

 

May half term 25th May - 2nd June - Gower Wool Week

A week of woolly mayhem with craft activities, craft stalls, guest demonstrations and workshops. Felt making, Spinning, Weaving, Dyeing, Knitting, Crochet and all sorts of woolly fun in association with our very own Woollen Mill! There will be craft stalls on both weekends 26th/27th May and 1st/2nd June as well as the Bank Holiday Monday the 27th, please contact us if you have relevant goods you would like to sell on a stall (£10 for a day). We will have additional craft activities available including feltmaking, weaving and wool dyeing (extra charge will apply to cover materials) and opportunities to learn to knit, crochet, spin and dye wool . There will also be plenty of local foods with the Mill Tearooms serving a wide range of welsh classics; and not forgetting the popular Welsh Cream Tea, which will be served all day.

Below is a list of Guest Workshops that will be taking place during the Wool Week. Spaces are limited to pre-booking is essential!

 

Saturday 25th May 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm(TBC) Big Knitting with Claire

(Knit your own scarf/snood or bag) £15.00 per person (Includes materials)

10 spaces per workshop, No age limit (Afternoon workshop depends on numbers booked)

http://www.abergwenllan.co.uk/

 

Sunday 26th May 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm Wool Soap Scrub bars with Hannah Cantwell

(make 3 per person) £5.00 Per person (Includes materials) 10 spaces per workshop, No age limit

 

Monday 27th May 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm Textured Spinning with Bettina Becker

(suitable for all abilities) £10.00 per person (Includes materials) 8 spaces per workshop 12 years +

http://www.gone-astray.co.uk/index.htm

 

Tuesday 28th May 11am-1pm Weaving with Cardboard with Hannah Cantwell

(make a basket or small bag) £3.00 per person (Includes materials) 12 spaces per workshop No age limit

 

Tuesday 28th May 2pm-4pm Wool Soap Scrub bars with Hannah Cantwell

(make 3 per person) £3.00 per person (Includes materials) 10 spaces per workshop No age limit

 

Wednesday 29th May 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm Dyeing with food colouring with Hannah Cantwell

(dye some wool fibre and a skein of wool) £1.50 per person (Includes materials) 12 spaces per workshop No age limit

 

Thursday 30th May 11am-1pm Weaving with Cardboard with Hannah Cantwell

(make a basket or small bag) £3.00 per person (Includes materials) 12 spaces per workshop No age limit

 

Thursday 30th May 2pm-4pm Wool Soap Scrub bars with Hannah Cantwell

(make 3 per person) £3.00 per person (Includes materials) 10 spaces per workshop No age limit

 

Friday 31st May 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm Marbling on Paper and other items With Annette Beattie

£1.50 per item made (Includes materials) 20 spaces per workshop No age limit

 

Saturday 01st June 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm Painting with Wool with Maria Lalic

( 2D Needle felting) £12.00 per person (Includes materials) 8 spaces per workshop 14+ age limit (No visually impaired)

http://www.marialalic.co.uk/

 

Sunday 02nd June 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm Upcycled Clothing with Hannah Cantwell

(Wristwarmers, legwarmers, small garments) £10.00 per person (Includes materials) 10 spaces per workshop 12+ age limit

 

Please ask at reception to book a space on any of the above workshops,

or call/email: 01792 371 206 / reception@gowerheritagecentre.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Sunday 26th May Swansea Good Food Festival

Run by Guide2Swansea, the Swansea Good Food Festival seeks to bring together and recognise the best Local Producers that Swansea and the surrounding areas have to offer. 96.4FM The Wave will be broadcasting their radio show live from the event itself. Money raised on the day will help the Wales Air Ambulance who will be present with a life sized mock helicopter.

Event: Swansea Good Food Festival Date: 26/05/2013 (Bank Holiday Sunday) Run by: Guid2Swansea Partners: 96.4FM The Wave Venue: Gower Heritage Centre, Parkmill Traders Cost: £45 plus VAT (includes 1 years free advertising on www.guide2Swansea.com)

 

June

Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th June - Gower Garlic Festival

 

Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd Coracle Weekend 11.00am - 3.00pm

See this traditional Welsh boat being put through its paces. Learn about the history of the coracle and the story of Prince Madoc and his brave trip across the Atlantic. Watch fishing displays and have a go yourself in a coracle race.

July

Sat 27th to Sun 4th August Pirate Week 10.00am - 5.30pm

Dig out your stuffed parrot and eyepatch and join us for some Pirate themed fun ! activities include

Free Bouncy Castle

Meet our Fearsome Pirates

Pan for Pirate Gold

Pirate Themed Cartoons

Story Telling

Pirate Crafts And lots more....TimeTable

Time	Activity	Venue
All Day	Free adventure bouncy castle	Main Courtyard
All Day	Pirate themed cartoons in WEales' smallest cinema La Charrette	Main Carpark
All Day	Meet our real Parrots courtesy of Safehaven Parrot Rescue.	Dairy
All Day	Meet our fearsome pirates who are roaming around the centre	Inside Centre
All Day	Pan For Pirate Gold. Try your hand at gold panning.	Near Medieval Display Room
All Day	Pirate Colouring. Show off your pirate colouring skills.	Art Shack Main Courtyard
All Day	Visit our Woollen mill and have a go at carding and spinning	Woollen Mill
All Day	Visit our Medieval Display Room and see examples of traditional costume and armour.	Medieval Display Room
All Day	Pirate Quiz. Pick up your quiz sheet from reception and hunt down the pirates that lurk around the mill.	Inside Centre
All Day	Visit our animal park and see our miniature ponies , giant rabbit , pygmy goats and more . No food or swords permitted in animal park	Animal Park
From 12.00pm	Pirate Pottery Workshops. Throw a pot with our Pirate Potter or make a model with clay. * Additional charge applies *	Tree House Pottery
11.00am 2.00pm	Guided Tour around the Mill	Starts at Water Wheel
11.00am	Feed the Chickens , ducks , geese & doves	Fish Pond
1.00pm	Meet our Polish chickens.	Eggucation Centre
2.00pm	Meet our lovely guinea pigs	Eggucation Centre
2.30pm	Meet Mr Barnaby our giant rabbit	Guinea Pig World
4.00pm	Feed the Animals	Fish Pond
All Day	Pirate Themed crafts Make your own Pirate hat, Pirate puppet making, Jewellery making, Bag printing and lots more. * Additional charge applies *	Puppet Theatre Main Courtyard
12.00pm 1.00pm 2.00pm	Pirate Story Telling. Listen to tales of Pirates of Olde	Puppet Theatre
3.00pm	Swashbuckling sword fight!	Front Courtyard
3.45pm	Blacksmith Demonstration	Smithy

 

August

Sat 17th Cycling Festival 19:00 - late

The Gower cycling festival runs from the 10th - 18th. With rides ranging from gentle to challenging exploring the unique scenery that the Gower has to offer. For info on all rides, with dates and routes, please visit http://www.gowercyclingfestival.org/.

On saturday the Gower Beast MTB Ride will be departing from the centre. Covering 30 miles of sceneic gower via woods and bridleways over the highest points of Gower. Later that day we are also host to the Gower Cycling Festival Party, with live music, our home made cider, bar and BBQ. £5.00 at the door with free parking included.

 

 

 

Wed 14th Country Games Day 10.00am - 5.30pm

Have you ever played "INKY PINKY","SPLAT THE RAT", "DUCKSTONE" or tried your hand at "GURNING" and "HORSESHOE THROWING" .

Let us show you how to entertain your kids using some old fashioned country customs. You will be amazed at how much you can enjoy yourself without having to use a computer game consol! Visitors can also go on a treasure hunt to find the hidden brandy of Mr Will The Mill the former owner of the Watermill at the Heritage Centre who was reputed to hide smuggled brandy in his Mill to supply the local village. Oh yes and Inky Pinky - well that involves a lot of egg smashing - and Duckstone - this is Gower's version of the French game of Boules - and if your going Gurning you must bring your camera!!

Wed 21st Beach Fun Day 10.00am - 5.30pm

We're bringing the beach to the Gower Heritage Centre. This family fun day has lots for everyone, from sandcastle competitions, and water bomb fights to volley ball and beach art and hula hooping!. So dig out your buckets and spades and head down for a day out your whole family will enjoy !

Sat 24th - Sun 1st Sept Medieval Fun Week 10.00am - 5.30pm

The Gower Heritage Centre is stepping back in time during our medieval fun day. There will be lots to do for the whole family including; Crime and Punishment - Experience a scene of humiliaating punishment and listen to tales of past crimes and their perpertrators. Meet a medieval Knight and Lady - Listen to them tell stories of the past and help bring to life this medieval day! Slay a dragon - Around the centre people have noticed dragons lurking...... Using your knight skills, we challlenge you to hunt and slay a dragon! You will be rewarded kindly for your efforts!!

Candle making and Medieval Armour Display - Roll or carve your own candles in our all day workshop and see our display of medieval armour including a full suit of armour! Activities also include: a medieval fancy dress competition and learn about medieval medicinal cures. At the end of the day children will get a chance to dual like knights of olde.

September

Fri 6th, Sat 7th & Sun 8th - Bluegrass Festival 10.00am - 11.00pm

The 2013 annual Gower Bluegrass festival will be held on Friday 6th - Sunday 8th of September Now in its eighth year, the event keeps on attracting many bluegrass musicians from the South Wales area and also from further afield across the Severn Bridge. During this year's 3 day event, bluegrass enthusiasts have the opportunity to play in open picking sessions and participate in the instrumental workshops.

Those who prefer to listen & watch the performances can enjoy the afternoon and evening concerts which will feature bands from the Welsh and British. Headlining this year's line-up are Land's End, a new band on the British Bluegrass Scene who made an impressive and dynamic debut at the Didmarton Festival.

Making a welcome return, are Dalebilly, Chris Moreton and the One Tree Hillbillies. Hampshire based North Drive also mae their first appearance at the Gower. The festival would not be complete without the local acts from around South Wales, listed below, who's regular support and enthusiasm make the event a great success and enhance its reputation on the UK circuit.

This year's line-up includes

Land's End

North Drive

Dalebilly

Chris Moreton

One Tree Hillbillies

Western Edge

Whitefern Mountain String Band

The Grass Snakes

Brandywine Cloggers

Garth Mountain Boys

Shoostring

Roots and Galoots & guests

Prices

All Weekend £25.00 Adults £22.00 Concessions

Friday Evening £5.00 Adults £4.00 Concessions

Band Saturday until 6 p.m. £6.45 Adults £5.45 Concessions

Saturday Night from 6 p.m. £12.00 Adults £10.00 Concessions

Saturday Day & Night £17.00 Adults £13.00 Concessions

Sunday £6.45 Adults £5.45 Concessions

Please ring 01792 371206 to book .Prebooked tickets require advance payment

 

Sunday 15th Beachwatch 11.00am

Looking after you local environment Please help us in our mission to clean up Three Cliffs Bay. Prizes available for most unique pieces of rubbish recovered! Refreshments will be available throughout the day in our tearooms. Meet at the reception to the Gower Heritage Centre at 11am. Free parking available for all litter pickers

October

Sat 12 & Sun 13th Gower Cider Weekend 10.00am till late

Come along and try our famous Mill Cider! Made with apples from our own orchard. See our 19th century cider press being put through its paces. See the whole process of producing cider from the growing of the apples through to enjoying a pint. The Gower Heritage Centre will be offering all the usual activities during the day from pottery, puppets, blacksmiths, woollen mill and screenings in Wales' smallest cinema La Charrette. " The Mill tearooms serving traditional hot and cold dishes " Lots of Welsh Ciders to choose from " Bar and BBQ open throughout the day " Stalls with local produce

Tues 29th, Wed 30th, Thurs 31st Halloween Party Nights 6.00pm - 9.00pm

Due to last years 'spooky' success the Gower Heritage Centre is inviting all ghosts, ghouls, witches and their ilk to join in with their Halloween festivities. There will be lots to do including a spooky disco, apple bobbing, swamp dip, broomstick races, puppet making, and pottery workshops, meet real creepy crawlies, competitions and lots more.

You may even be one of the lucky few who discover the Mill's resident ghosts. Don't forget to don your finest Halloween costume as there will be prizes for the best dressed children and adults. The evening is suitable for the whole family and booking is essential as the events sell out quickly. Children must be supervised at all times. The bar, BBQ and tearooms are open throughout the night.

 

November

Sat 9th & Sun 10th Viking Weekend 10.00am - 5.00pm

Get the children interested in history and join us on the 10th and 11th of November as we travel back to the year 986 and witness the struggle between Viking raiders sailing from their ports in Ireland to claim rich farmland in Wales. Will the Viking leader Sweyn Forkbeard conquer the native Welshmen defending their homes, or will he convince them to join forces with him to fight their common enemy the Anglo-Saxons to the west?

Watch the warriors from both sides fight and train for battle throughout the weekend and you can even try on the armour to discover how you would have fared! Take part in a Build-Your-Own-Longboat Race and listen to stories of fearless Vikings and Gods. Try your hand at making Viking jewellery, weaving, cooking and wine making. Also, watch as the jeweller casts molten metal to make jewellery using a cuttle fish!

Sun 24th to Mon 23rd December Father Christmas Arrives 12pm - 4.30pm every weekend

Father Christmas is arriving at the Gower Heritage Centre. He'll be flying in at 12:00pm and will be in his grotto until 3:30pm. Come and see Santa in his Christmas grotto which has been transformed into a magical castle. Tell him what you want for Christmas and receive a gift. An entrance charge applies. Children can also have a go at the Christmas tree trail to win a prize, and there are craft workshops, puppet shows, animal feeding, and lots more. Real Christmas trees for sale with free local delivery

Sat 23rd & Sun 24th November Christmas Craft Fayre 10.00am -5pm

Another festive season is upon us and this year the Gower Heritage Centre is celebrating in style with its very own Christmas market featuring a range of local produce and crafts .Entry to the Gower Heritage Centre and the Christmas market will be free all weekend. Don't forget to visit Santa in his grotto (additional entry fee applies) and get your fresh Christmas trees on sale here everyday throughout December. Contact Hannah at reception@gowerheritagecentre.co.uk for stall enquiries (£20 per stall for the weekend or £10 per day, payable in advance).

 

For more information or to book tickets for forthcoming events contact the Gower Heritage Centre between 10am and 5pm on 01792 371206 or email reception@gowerheritagecentre.co.uk

We cater for schools and educational trips, starting from as little as £3.50 per person. See our Schools page for full details. If you are a teacher and you would like to make a preliminary visit please call us on 01792 371206 we'll be happy to help.