Dafydd ap Siencyn Festival 2024 - location, parking, activities and timings

Like the 'real' Robin Hood, rebel nobleman Dafydd ap Siencyn and his men dressed in green
-Credit: (Image: John Severin/Wiki)


A three-day festival named after the “Welsh Robin Hood” launches in the Conwy Valley on Friday, September 20. Activities range from medieval re-enactments and banquets to markets, choirs and gravity scooter rides.

Ancaster Square in Llanrwst will be closed to traffic this weekend for the Dafydd ap Siencyn Festival (6am Saturday until 6pm Sunday). The event also encompasses nearby Gwydir Forest on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia).

Across the two sites, scores of activities are lined up for the festival which celebrates the people, nature and culture of this part of the world. As well as live music, history talks and forest walks, activities include shield painting, archery lessons, forest art and massage therapy.

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The inaugural festival was held last year and was named after a rebel, nobleman and bard who hid out in Gwydir forest during the 15th century War of the Roses. Dafydd ap Siencyn led his men into battle dressed in green, forever linking him to Sherwood Forest’s legendary outlaw. He is however only one of several claimants to the title of the “Welsh Robin Hood”.

Llanrwst Town Council, which is organising the festival, is inviting people to “walk in the footsteps of a rebel”. It said some activities have been laid on that will be fine for people with dendrophobia – a fear of trees. Full details of the event, from parking to the timetable, are outlined below.

When is the festival?

It’s being held on September 20-22, 2024. Wine tasting and a live music gig are on Friday evening, with the bulk of activities taking place on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 9am both days. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now

View from Llanrwst Bridge of Tu Hwnt I'r Bont Tea Rooms on the right and Gwydir Park on the left
View from Llanrwst Bridge of Tu Hwnt I'r Bont Tea Rooms on the right and Gwydir Park on the left -Credit:Google

Where is it being held?

The festival is based in the historic market town of Llanrwst in the Conwy Valley. Some events will take place in the town centre, others in Gwydir Park across the River Conwy. More activities are in Gwydir Forest at the mile-long Caerdroia Labyrinth, the largest of its kind in the world. This is around one mile west of Llanrwst. Events here are being held on Saturday.

Is there somewhere to park?

There are three car parks that visitors can use:

  • Watling Street, Llanrwst, LL26 0LS (pay and display)

  • Plas yn Dre, Llanrwst, LL26 0DF (free)

  • Gwydir Park, B5106, Llanrwst, LL26 0PL (free)

Are shuttle buses running between Llanrwst, Gwydir Park and Gwydir Forest?

A shuttle service will take visitors to and from Caerdroia labyrinth in Gwydir Forest. It’s free, and runs on the Saturday from Golygfa Gwydyr, Plough Field, Llanrwst LL26 0AG and from Gwydir Park car park. The shuttle bus runs hourly or, in the afternoon, half-hourly.

No booking is needed for the 30-seater bus but visitors should arrive at pick-up locations at least 15 minutes before the bus leaves. Exact bus timings can be found on this page.

Are toilets available?

There are 10 possible options, as outlined below.

  • Y Siop Win, Blas ar Fwyd. Free for wine tasting evening guests. Disabled access.

  • Clwb Llanrwst. Free for gig guests. Disabled access.

  • Cyngor Tref Llanrwst Town Council. Free. Disabled access.

  • St Grwst Church. Free. Disabled access.

  • Golygfa Gwydyr. Free. Disabled access.

  • Seion Chapel. Free for Gala guests. Disabled access.

  • Gwydir Park. 50p charge. Free portaloo for disabled access.

  • Gwydir Castle. Free for castle tour guests. Disabled access.

  • Caerdroia. Free. Compost toilet, with portaloo for disabled access.

  • Llanrwst Library, LL26 0DF. Free. Saturday 9.30am-12.30pm. Disabled access.

A plan of the Caerdroia labyrinth in Gwydir Forest
A plan of the Caerdroia labyrinth in Gwydir Forest -Credit:Hogyn Lleol/Wiki

Is the festival family-friendly?

Nearly all of the events are aimed at families. However Friday evening’s wine tasting and live music gig are not suitable for under 18s.

What about people with mobility disabilities?

Most festival locations are accessible but Saturday’s free shuttle bus is not mobile-friendly. If on foot or travelling via wheelchair or power scooter, access to Gwydir Park, Gwydir Castle and Caerdroia is over Llanrwst road bridge, which is narrow and requires caution. The Caerdroia labyrinth in Gwydir Forest is accessed via uneven forest paths that are subject to the elements.

Where can you find food and drink?

There are lots of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants in Llanrwst. However, you will need to take your own provisions to the Caerdroia labyrinth in Gwydir Forest.

Do activities need to be booked and how much do they cost?

Most are free but some have an entry fee and must be pre-booked, as follows:

  • Wine tasting evening – £30

  • Live music gig – £15 (+1.50 fee)

  • E-bike hire – see Snowdonia Bikes website

  • Medieval banquet – £35

  • Tour of Gwydir Castle – £10

  • Festival gala concert – £10 (£5 for pensioners and children)

Grade 1-listed Gwydir Castle near Llanrwst
Grade I-listed Gwydir Castle near Llanrwst -Credit:Gwydir Castle

What times are the festival activities?

Friday, September 20

  • 7pm: Wine Tasting Evening, Y Siop Win, Blas ar Fwyd

  • 8pm: Live music gig, Clwb Llanrwst

Saturday, September 21

  • 9am-5pm: Rebel Hunt, starting at the Festival Marquee, Ancaster Square

  • 9am-5pm: Art and Literature Exhibition, Llanrwst Town Council, Ty’r Dref

  • 9am-5pm: Bike hire, Snowdonia Bikes

  • 9.30am-11am: Wellbeing Walk to Caerdroia, starting at the Sawbench carpark, Gwydir Forest

  • 10am-5pm: Artisan Market, Ancaster Square

  • 10am-4pm: Brass Rubbing & Calligraphy Experience, St Grwst Church

  • 10am: Award Ceremony for the Art and Literature competitions, Llanrwst Town Council, Ty’r Dref

  • 10am-5pm: Formal Medieval warfare re-enactment, Gwydir Park

  • 10am-5pm: Medieval craft, weaponry, and armour creation displays, Gwydir Park

  • 10am-5pm: Medieval forge, Gwydir Park

  • 10am-5pm: Talks on Medieval Warfare, Gwydir Park

  • 10.30am: Walking Tour to Caerdroia, Gwydir Forest, starting at the Festival Marquee, Ancaster Square

  • 12pm-4pm: Massage Therapy, Golygfa Gwydyr

  • 12pm-4pm: Forest Art Sessions, Golygfa Gwydyr

  • 12pm-5pm: A Forest of Stories by a Storyteller, Caerdroia, Gwydir Forest

  • 12pm-5pm: Birds of Prey display by The Owl Trust, Caerdroia, Gwydir Forest

  • 12pm-5pm: Gravity Scooters Experience, Caerdroia, Gwydir Forest

  • 12pm-5pm: Archery Lessons, Caerdroia, Gwydir Forest

  • 12pm-5pm: Rebel Medieval Warfare Re-enactment, Caerdroia, Gwydir Forest

  • 12pm-5pm: Medieval Fancy Dress, Caerdroia, Gwydir Forest

  • 12pm-5pm: Guided Tour of the world’s largest forest labyrinth, Caerdroia, Gwydir Forest

  • 4pm: Talk by Warren Leigh-Boyd about the Conwy River Steamboats, Llanrwst Town Council, Ty’r Dref

  • 7pm: Medieval Banquet, St Grwst Church (see here for the menu)

Sunday, September 22

  • 9am-5pm: Bike hire, Snowdonia Bikes

  • 9.45am: Festival Service, St Grwst Church

  • 10am-5pm: Formal Medieval Warfare Re-enactment, Gwydir Park

  • 10am-5pm: Medieval Craft, Weaponry, and Armour Creation Displays, Gwydir Park

  • 10am-5pm: Medieval Forge, Gwydir Park

  • 10am-5pm: Talks on Medieval Warfare, Gwydir Park

  • 11am-4pm: Animal Encounters, Ancaster Square

  • 11am-4pm: Medieval Fancy Dress, Ancaster Square

  • 11am-5pm: Rebel Hunt, starting at the Festival Marquee, Ancaster Square

  • 11am-5pm: Art and Literature Exhibition, Llanrwst Town Council, Ty’r Dref

  • 2pm: Tour of Gwydir Castle

  • 2pm: Dafydd ap Siencyn literary experience for children and young people, Llanrwst Town Council, Ty’r Dref

  • 4pm: Talk by Bleddyn Hughes about Dafydd ap Siencyn, St Grwst Church

  • 7pm: Festival gala concert, Capel Seion. With CantiLena (youth choir), CoRwst (mixed choir), Dafydd Huw (organist), Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy (sketch).

For more festival information, visit apsiencyn.com. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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