Go on your own ‘Game of Thrones’ dragon quest and meet baby dragons Dylan and Cariad
Dragons feature bigger than ever in the new season of Game of Thrones and it’s no surprise that these majestic creatures have become the stars of the show. Luckily, families and fans don’t need to travel to the series’ mythical continent of Essos but simply head to Wales to see dragons close-up, including two new baby dragons which ‘hatched’ this summer.
Just in time for the school holidays visitors can meet the giant animatronic ‘dragon family’ made up of daddy dragon Dewi, mummy dragon Dwynwen and new additions, baby dragons Dylan and Cariad, known for being adorable but VERY mischievous.
Daddy Dewi, the red and black dragon enthralled more than 120,000 visitors in a tour of Wales last year and found fame after breaking the banks of Caerphilly Castle on St David’s Day 2016. Mummy Dwynwen is named after the Welsh patron saint for love and is known for her gleaming, pearlescent purple scales.
On May 26th this year, baby dragons Dylan and Cariad hatched and the public were able to watch the ‘birth’ online as it was streamed from Caerphilly Castle in South Wales. Now, the happy dragon family will head northwards to three different castles around Wales, starting with Kidwelly Castle in Carmarthenshire throughout July, then on to Harlech Castle in the west and Beaumaris castle in the north in August.
Live the Legends
© Cadw, Welsh Government (Crown Copyright), all rights reserved
The baby dragons’ arrival is part of an event-packed Live the Legends campaign, which is bringing Wales’ dramatic sites and stories to life during Visit Wales’ 2017 Year of Legends. The fascination with dragons among Game of Thrones fans and their mythical heritage started in Season 1 with the hatchling of three magnificent dragons, Drogan, Viserion and Rhaegal.
Interest this summer has piqued with the release of the latest series, where chief dragon Drogan has been enhanced by outstanding CGI special effects and heads up a terrifying ‘dragon army’.
In contrast, the super-realistic Welsh dragon family are cast out of fibreglass, weigh a whopping three tonnes in total and were created by a team of 16 at Cardiff-based prop design specialist, Wild Creations.
Meet the dragon family – dates and locations:
Dare to meet Dwynwen and the Baby Dragons 11 July – 30 July 2017 Kidwelly Castle
Dare to meet Dwynwen and the Baby Dragons 01 August – 13 August 2017 Harlech Castle
Dare to meet Dwynwen and the Baby Dragons 15 August – 28 August 2017 Beaumaris Castle
No booking required. Usual castle admission fees apply For more information: www.visitwales.com
Three other dragon quest locations in Wales:
Dragon’s Head (Worm’s Head) in Rhossili – Swansea Worm’s Head in Rhossili on a clear dayWorm’s Head, Rhossili, Swansea Bay. Technically Worm’s Head in Gower looks more like a worm, BUT its name comes from the Viking word for dragon: ‘wyrm’ – plus, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Rhossili Bay, one of the finest views in Wales.
The stone dragon at Newport Celtic Manor A view across the golf course of the Celtic Manor Resort. The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, Wye Valley and Vale of Usk by The Celtic Manor Resort You wouldn’t normally expect to encounter a dragon at a top hotel and resort, but we think the Dragon carved in to the pillar in Celtic Manor Resort’s main entrance blends in rather well.
King Arthur’s Labyrinth dragon – Machynlleth, Snowdonia A stone welsh dragon found in King Arthur’s LabyrinthKing Arthur’s Labyrinth, Machynlleth, Snowdonia Not only will you find out about the legendary Arthur in a memorable underground experience, you’ll encounter the odd dragon, Druidy goings on and lots of Celtic details and displays to snap on your phone.