Ahead of the holidays, we have put together a list of some events across Gwent this half-term.

NEWPORT

Captain Henry Morgan’s Pirate Weekend

WHERE: Tredegar House, Newport

WHEN: 27- 29 May,

TIME: 11am to 4pm

Normal admission charges apply.

Families are invited to become pirates for a day Captain Henry Morgan’s pirate weekend! Raiders and buccaneers can take part in a whole host of pirate-themed activities including pillaging Tredegar house!

Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/events/

Fun Day at Newport Transporter Bridge

Where: Newport Transporter Bridge

When: Bank Holiday Monday 10am to 4pm.

There will be music and refreshments available. You can also have a chance to go over the top or ride sedately on the gondola.

WHERE: Caerleon Amphitheatre

King Arthur and the Knights – puppet show.

WHEN: May 29

Also little ones can learn how to make their own knight, princess or dragon hand-puppet for £3.50. Performances take place at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm.

Summer of Stories also takes place at the Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths on May 31.

TIME: 11am - 4pm

Free entry

WHERE: Newport Wetlands, West Nash Road, Nash.

Mud Magic. Join us for some mudtastic fun finding out what lurks in the bottom of the boggy pond or slithers in the slimy soil. Get your hands dirty making mud sculptures and mud paintings of the creatures that you find on your mud exploration.

When: 10.30am – 12pm or 2pm – 3.30pm. Booking not required. RSPB members £3 / £5 per non member. Tel: 01633 636363.

TORFAEN

WHERE: Blaenavon Ironworks

WHEN: May 27 to May 28

CONTACT: 01495 792615

ENTRY: free

EMAIL: BlaenavonIronworks@Wales.GSI.Gov.UK

Experience and learn about the shocking First World War at the Springtime Fair in Blaenavon Ironworks. Attended by the Royal British Legion and historians, the event will have Great War re-enactments, living history, Edwardian games for families, a working blacksmith display, and the Gwent in the Great War Exhibition.

WHERE: Big Pit National Coal Museum

WHEN: May 27- June 4

TIME: 12pm – 4pm

ENTRY: Free admission

CONTACT: Tel: 0300 111 2 333

EMAIL: bigpit@museumwales.ac.uk

Pick up a trail and explore the Coity Tip to discover how nature has transformed this once ugly spoil heap to a haven for wildlife. Hunt for treasures of the natural world. What will you discover? Please ask for a trail at Reception when you arrive. Supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Whitsun Half Term at Greenmeadow Community Farm

WHERE: Greenmeadow Community Farm

WHEN: May 27 - 29

TIME: 10am – 5pm

CONTACT: 01633 647662

EMAIL: greenmeadow communityfarm@torfaen.gov.uk

Come to the farm to experience, tractor and trailer rides, farm animal life demonstrations including shearing and milking and crafting.

MONMOUTHSHIRE

Legends and Fairy Tales at Raglan Castle

When: Sun May 28 - Mon May 29

Time: 11am to 5pm

Where: Raglan, Monmouthshire, NP15 2BT

Fairy tales come to life for a weekend of legendary children’s entertainment.

Meet dragons, princesses and maybe a monster or two. Follow the trail, have your face painted and join the fun as the magic of fairy tales comes to Raglan Castle.

Wild Wednesday

WHERE:The Skirrid, Abergavenny

WHEN: Wednesday May 31, 10am – 3pm

£3, pre-booking essential

A wild outdoor adventure with the National Trust Rangers awaits at the Skirrid, where children can get closer to nature by hunting for bugs and creating wild art in the forest. The peak at the Skirrid boasts incredible panoramic views whichever way you look, including of Herefordshire, the Brecon Beacons and the Usk Valley.

Abergavenny Steam, Veteran & Vintage Rally

WHEN: Sunday 28 and Monday 29 starting at 10.30am

WHERE: Bailey Park, Park Road, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 5PR

Entry: Adults £7, secondary school children and OAPs £4.

Younger children free.

This two day event offers something for the whole family. As well as the mighty giants of steam and vintage vehicles, the show has a children’s funfair, a food village, rural crafts and handicrafts and a wealth of stands selling everything from auto jumble to garden plants and a lot of other stuff in-between.

Nature Friendly Craft Sessions at Caldicot Castle

Forage around our 60 acre country park to find everything you need to make and decorate your own Wooden Bug Hotel or Mini Wooden Birdhouse to take home. You will also get a Wildlife Walking Trail (with a special prize for correct answers) around our Country Park - it’s thirsty work though, so a soft drink and a biscuit is included in your pass.

WHEN: Activities are available throughout half term from Tuesday 30 May to Friday 2 June. The castle is free entry as is open from 11am-4pm.

You can purchase an activity pass online or from the tearoom on the day. Suitable for ages 5 to 11.

CAERPHILLY

EVENT: Animal Encounters and Falcons Flying

DATE: May 31

WHEN: (Two sessions to choose from: 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm.)

WHERE: Llancaiach Fawr Manor

Animal Encounters and Falcons Flying - Enjoy handling sessions with unusual animals, talks about the lives and habitats of the animals before the Falcons are flown.

PRICE: £3 per child with the first adult free of charge, £1 for each additional adult.

Numbers are limited, pre-booking essential.

Tel: 01443 412248.

Website: lancaiachfawr.co.uk

Welsh Wrestling

WHEN: June 1

TIME: 7.30pm

WHERE: Blackwood Miners’ Institute

Ringside seats available from the Box Office only. Call 01495 227206 to book.

Wrestling – Don’t miss the hottest ticket in town, book now and let’s get ready to rumble.

Come join us for an evening of glitz, glamour and bodyslam mayhem as the Welsh Wrestling roadshow invades for one night only! Come see the over the top stars of the wrestling world collide in a night of super slamming action at this fun, crazy, family entertainment show.

PRICE: Tickets £12 / £9| for children / £35 family

Prices include a booking fee of 50p per ticket.

Visit caerphilly.gov.uk/

The Cadw Dragons

WHERE: Dwynwen and her baby dragons will visit Caerphilly Castle, Chepstow Castle and Raglan Castle between May and August 2017.

For full tour dates, visit cadw.gov.wales/livethelegends

Many Cadw sites offer free Dragon themed trails for families, while kids’ activity packs will be on sale in the gift shops.