Working with people to discover more about their
local heritage
CAER Heritage Project
The Caerau And Ely Rediscovering (CAER) Heritage Project was started in 2011 and is a collaboration between ACE, Cardiff University, local schools, residents, community groups and many others.
The project is focussed on working with local people to discover more about their local heritage which includes an Iron Age hillfort, a Neolithic causewayed enclosure, a Mediaeval church (St. Mary’s) and ringwork castle, a Roman Villa and the remains of Cardiff’s Ely Racecourse, at Trelai Park.
Through involvement in the project, local people have been at the heart of archaeological and historical research, which has included activities such as geophysics, excavations, artefact analysis, exhibitions, art installations, films, heritage trails, performances, accredited courses and experimental archaeology.
CAER Heritage Project
Hidden Hillfort Centre
The project has recently opened the new Heritage Centre on Church Road, Caerau–this centre will be a hub for community learning and heritage based activity. We now host community gardening groups, site maintenance, youth clubs and adult learning sessions.
What's On
If you want to know what events are taking place at the centre, you can find out on their What’s On page.
Venue Hire
The centre has a main hall, smaller meeting rooms and facilties, that are available for hire. You can find visit the Venue Hire page to find out about booking a space.
Thank you to our supporters
The CAER Heritage Hidden Hillfort project was funded by the National Lottery Heritage along with match funding
from Cardiff University, Moondance Foundation, Wales and West Housing and First Campus.
Our Mission
Our ambitions for our project activities and the Heritage Centre is to:
Transform
– Transform facilities at Caerau Hillfort through the development of an attractive heritage centre, heritage gardens and children’s playground, all promoting wellbeing, sustainability and conservation.
Co-create
– Co-create accessible heritage trails with co-produced signs, interactive activities and a virtual reality experience.
Engage
– Initiate a programme of community archaeological excavations to engage people in local heritage while developing skills and creating new knowledge about Caerau.
Showcase
– Showcase local talent, creativity and social enterprise through heritage based art activities, installations and products, working with local and national artists.
Opportunities
– Establish placements and training opportunities for local volunteers, including helping to conserve St Mary’s Church.
Education
– Work with local schools, colleges and Cardiff University to embed the heritage of Caerau and Ely into the curriculum and create new educational opportunities.
Scholarships
– Provide scholarships to support young people and adults to progress into higher education.
Establish
– Establish a ‘Love Our Hillfort’ community group to help improve the conservation, management and appreciation of Caerau Hillfort.
Learning
– Provide a range of formal and informal heritage learning opportunities including free adult learner courses in history and archaeology.
Find out more
- visit CAER Heritage website
CAER Heritage Hidden Hillfort Project has its own website where you can follow progress, find out about upcoming events and activities and read more about Caerau’s amazing history and heritage:
You can find the project on Facebook and twitter @CAERHeritage
CAER Heritage Hidden Hillfort Project
Church Rd, Ely, Cardiff
CF5 5LQ
