Ar Droed (on foot) is an annual series of guided tours for Welsh learners with different subjects every year. This project with the National Centre for Learning Welsh is specifically for new speakers of the Welsh language with an invitation to more experience speakers to join!
For the 5th year now we have been able to offer these special guided tours. We are very proud of the incredible success of the nature walks with Iolo Williams – a proper treat for everybody who came along. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity be on tours with and talk to Ifor ap Glyn, Adam yn yr Ardd, Rhodri Morgan and Sioned Edwards. 561 Welsh learners had this special experience on 22 guided tours in nature, significant buildings, gardens and museums in Cymru between 2021 and 2024.
Castles and Sports are this year’s themes for Ar Droed
Between September 2025 and March 2026 there will be an opportunity for Welsh learners and experienced speakers to visit 3 iconic castles and 3 stadiums in Wales. There will be guided tours around the castles and stadiums, and the tours will end with a cup of tea and a chat. The walking tours provide unique opportunities for new speakers and learners of Welsh to use the language in a relaxed, social and welcoming atmosphere. Each tour will be led by a local guide, with the opportunity to discover special places throughout Wales. The new series of Walking Tours will start in September at the Swansea.com Stadium where Gabriella Jukes will join for a Q&A session and the opportunity to chat with her. Then, in October, there will be a trip up to Dolwyddelan Castle with guide Arfon Hughes, enjoying the autumn colours around the castle before finishing with a paned in the village. The week after there will be an opportunity to explore Cyfarthfa Castle with Phyl Griffiths, before enjoying a cup of tea in the castle café. Later in the same month, Gwyn Derfel from the Welsh Rugby Union will lead a unique tour behind the scenes at the Principality Stadium, Wales’ most famous stadium. In February, we’ll visit Castell Aberteifi (Cardigan Castle) on two trips with Hedd Ladd Lewis, enjoying a paned and music in the castle restaurant. In the spring, the series will conclude with a trip to Y Cae Ras in Wrexham, home of the famous Wrexham AFC football club, giving a taste of another iconic stadium. Keep your eyes open for the announcement of the tour’s date later in the new year.
For more information and to book a place on the tours, get in touch with ardroed@mentrauiaith.cymru
A little taster of the tours so far.
