Location: Cardiff
Sector: Commercial – Heritage Conservation
Products applied: Printed graphics & external signage
#APontheJob is back—this time helping to preserve one of Wales’s most iconic heritage sites: Castell Coch. Cadw – our client – needed support for an exhibition to inform visitors about ongoing conservation work at the castle.
Every historic building is affected by time and weather, and Castell Coch is no exception. A significant part of Cadw’s role is to manage these changes to protect Welsh heritage for future generations. At Castell Coch, water had gradually seeped through the walls, roofs, and chimneys, damaging the castle’s beautiful interior decoration. Thick castle walls, while excellent for insulation, also soak up water like sponges, meaning it can take several years for rooms to completely dry out. During this drying and restoration period, Cadw needed a way to keep visitors informed and engaged with the ongoing conservation project.
That’s where Applied Products stepped in.
The castle remained open to visitors throughout the restoration, so Cadw required solutions that maintained a positive visitor experience despite ongoing work and extensive scaffolding. We met with the client, listened carefully to their needs, and recommended clear, engaging signage to communicate the ongoing conservation project.
We supplied:
- Large entrance gate banner: stating clearly: “Castell Coch is open as usual,” prominently displaying Cadw branding and the familiar Cadw roundel.
- Welcome signage: to reassure visitors: “We are open!”
- Informative printed graphic panes: creatively designed to detail the restoration process step-by-step. These panels explained the intricacies of the conservation efforts, inviting visitors into the story of how the castle was being carefully restored to its original condition.
The client was delighted with the results, receiving excellent feedback from visitors who appreciated the informative and attractive signage. The graphics we designed were impactful, engaging, and unique, blending seamlessly with Cadw’s branding, including their logo and signature Celtic-style font. Not only that, but they did their job to create an immersive experience and make visitors feel involved in the castle’s history.
If you’d like to follow the project’s progress or learn more about the special scaffolding tours planned for summer 2025, visit Castell Coch | Cadw (gov.wales).
