CASTLES, historic parks and gardens in North Wales will reopen to visitors from the end of March.

Cadw, National Trust Cymru and the National Museum Wales have confirmed plans to reopen some of their outdoor sites and open-air spaces starting this week.

A number of UNESCO sites to reopen on Thursday, April 1 include Conwy Castle and Beaumaris Castle and the world-renowned industrial hub Blaenavon Ironworks.

Denbigh Castle and Harlech Castle will reopen outdoor areas to Welsh residents from Tuesday, April 6, followed by Rhuddlan Castle on Thursday, April 8.

National Trust Cymru will also reopen its open-air spaces from Monday, March 29, including Bodnant Garden, Penrhyn Castle, Plas Newydd and Chirk Castle.

The re-openings follow the First Minister’s recent announcement that enables outdoor areas of heritage sites to reopen from Friday, March 26. Visitors must adhere to Welsh Government social distancing guidelines and coronavirus restrictions at all times.

Cadw has revealed a three phase plan for the re-opening of some of the heritage sites in its care, including some of the country’s most iconic medieval castles, abbeys and prehistoric burial chambers.

From Saturday, visitors will be welcomed back to Cadw’s unstaffed, open-air monuments including St Lythan’s Burial Chamber in the Vale of Glamorgan to Haverfordwest Priory in Pembrokeshire and Dolforwyn Castle in Powys.

All indoor areas at Cadw sites will remain closed until further notice.

To gain entry to re-opening staffed monuments, general visitors need to reserve time-allotted tickets at least 24 hours in advance of their visit. This will allow for a safe and socially distanced on-site experience for all ticket holders.

Due to essential conservation works or coronavirus safety precautions, other heritage attractions under Cadw’s care, including Caerphilly Castle and Castell Coch in south Wales and Plas Mawr and Caernarfon Castle in north Wales, will remain closed at this time.

Site entry tickets will be released on Monday, March 29 for visits up to and including Sunday, April 11.

Cadw recommends that visitors check its website to find out whether or not a particular site is open before travelling. The website will also provide further detail on ticket bookings and the re-opening plans for Cadw’s collection of heritage sites.

National Trust Cymru visits will also need to be pre-booked on the National Trust website. Opening dates and times will vary across National Trust Cymru attractions, and visitors are asked to check property websites for details. Indoor spaces at castles and mansion houses remain closed in line with Welsh Government restrictions.

St Fagans National Museum of History will welcome the return of Wales residents only from Thursday, April 1 until Monday, April 5 and then every Wednesday to Sunday thereafter.

Different restrictions currently apply in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with visitors from these locations unable to travel into Wales or visit Wales’s outdoor attractions at this time.