The 6,000 year old hillfort in Caerau is regarded as internationally significant and is judged as ‘Heritage at Risk’ by CADW. It is however, currently unprotected, meaning it is subject to vandalism, fly-tipping and drug use.

Now, thanks to National Lottery players, local people will not only get a chance to learn about the importance of the site and its history, but play a part in securing its future.

The project aims to increase visitor numbers to the site by 50%, and work will include:

• Redeveloping a nearby old Gospel Hall into a Hidden Hillfort Heritage Centre and space for community groups, including a pop-up café
• Creating a series of heritage trails and signs to help people explore and understand the site
• Creating a new, themed children’s playground
• Creating new gardens and taking care of surrounding woodland and other historic buildings, including the remains of St Mary’s Church

Bringing people together

Working with a local school, the history of the area and its hillfort will be taught to youngsters as part of the new curriculum, while people of all ages will have the chance to develop new skills, interests and friendships by helping with archaeological explorations of the site.

Project partner Cardiff University is also sponsoring a number of fully-paid undergraduate scholarships for local young people and eight other scholarships for adults to study at the university, helping break down barriers to higher education within the community.