Flyaway tipi drama won’t stop half term activities at Fonmon Castle

The half term fun will go on at Fonmon Castle this week despite its large tipi being blown away in storm Eunice. Staff at the castle in the Vale of Glamorgan struggled to salvage what they could after the supersized tipi, which was home to Fonmon’s food offering, was destroyed on Friday.

Nathan Evans, who runs Real Pride of Wales, Fonmon’s catering company, worked around the clock with staff to move catering equipment from the tipi into the castle’s kitchens in time for the half term activities.

“Fonmon’s kitchen had not been used as a commercial kitchen for a long time and we’ve had two days to get it up to standard so that we can open a full restaurant and bar offering in the castle,” he said. “Everyone has worked incredibly hard to make sure half term visitors can enjoy food and drink in a fantastic setting.”

With Fonmon’s Easter jousting events under threat due to the loss of the tipi, Fonmon Castle’s owner Nigel Ford has sourced two aircraft hangars as a temporary replacement, ensuring the show will go on. An extended outdoor catering offering is also being planned, so that visitors can enjoy street food such as burgers, dirty fries and fried chicken on site.

This week’s half term activities kicked off with a ghost hunt on Saturday February 19, and during half term week visitors can enjoy the medieval village, dinosaur park, ravine walk, playgrounds and more. Thanks to the speedy addition of a new catering offering in the castle, they can now also enjoy teas, cakes, drinks and meals in the castle.

The loss of the tipi has accelerated the opening of offerings in the castle, which dates back to Norman times and is filled with historical features. Visitors can now hire Lady Anne’s room, a beautiful meeting room, for business meetings and other work events, while the library is the new setting for refreshments.

Catherine Taylor, Fonmon Castle’s Special Projects Manager said:

“It was devastating to lose the tipi because we had just redecorated it and it was looking better than ever – but on the plus side, visitors can now enjoy cups of tea, bara brith and Welsh food and drink in the beautiful setting of the castle’s library. We’re very proud of our team here at Fomon and everyone has really pulled together to make the best out of this situation. We’re delighted to be able to offer lots of half term fun and greater access to the castle itself.”