Tuesday, April 1 2025
Featured Wales

Make a flying visit to Wales and meet a dragon close-up

By July 21, 2017 Article

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

Dewi and Dwynwen, who have been carefully watching over their eggs in the grounds of Caerphilly Castle, have welcomed two beautiful baby dragons into the world.
© 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.

You may also like

Aldi Launches New and Exclusive Bluey buys from just £1.79

Alternative Easter gifts for the chocolate haters in your life

Free Easter egg hunt returns to St. Katharine Docks

If you're thinking of buying something recommended by us, please go via the links on our pages. When you do this we may earn a fee which supports our editorially independent, family business.
By

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.