Young People Map the Future at Harlech Castle

The event marked the culmination of an ambitious creative project led by Children’s Laureate Wales, Nicola Davies, in partnership with Cadw, artist Fran Evans, and Pigtown Productions. Combining storytelling, heritage and visual art, the project invited young people to explore some of Wales’s most treasured historic sites and reimagine them through their own eyes.

Over the course of the project, pupils from five schools across Wales visited and responded to remarkable Cadw sites in their local area: Plas Mawr, Conwy; Beaumaris Castle; Tretower Court and Hall; Harlech Castle; and Dolforwyn Castle. From towering fortress walls and medieval halls to the stories hidden within ancient landscapes, each site became a starting point for creativity, curiosity and discovery.

Working with Nicola Davies and Fran Evans, pupils explored what maps can tell us about the places we live, the histories we inherit and the futures we hope to create. Rather than simply recording geography, they created imaginative maps filled with memories, wildlife, landmarks, emotions, dreams, and possibilities. Their work revealed not only where they come from, but how they see the world around them and the role they hope to play in shaping its future.

The project’s title, Maps of Today, Maps of Tomorrow, reflects its central idea: that maps are more than records of places. They are tools for understanding where we are now and imagining where we might go next. Through creative mapping, pupils considered what they value about their communities today and what they would like Wales to look like for future generations.

By connecting young people with some of Wales’s most significant heritage sites, the project offered a fresh way of engaging with history. It encouraged participants to see castles, historic houses and cultural landmarks not simply as places of the past, but as living sources of inspiration that continue to shape contemporary Welsh life.

Speaking about the project, Nicola Davies said:

“It was a joy to spend time with young people in such remarkable locations across Wales and to witness their delight in discovery and exploration. I hope that this process of careful looking, close attention, and truly mapping their experience of these extraordinary buildings will help them find their own place in the world and navigate their paths through life.”

Harlech Castle provided a fitting setting for the project’s final celebration, which brought together pupils, teachers, families, project partners and invited guests to celebrate months of creative exploration and collaboration. Visitors were invited to explore a vibrant exhibition of artwork created by the pupils alongside pieces developed by Fran Evans. They encountered works that were playful, thoughtful, surprising and hopeful, each offering a unique perspective on Wales and its future.

Together, the works transformed personal experiences and local knowledge into powerful reflections on place, identity and belonging.

A highlight of the launch was the premiere of a specially commissioned film by Pigtown Productions, documenting the young people’s journey through the project. Capturing workshops, site visits and creative conversations, the film offers an inspiring glimpse into the pupils’ reflections on heritage, community and the future of Wales. Their voices sit at the heart of the story, demonstrating the power of creativity to help young people connect with the world around them.

At its heart, Maps of Today, Maps of Tomorrow demonstrates what can happen when young people are given the opportunity to tell their own stories. Through art, literature and imagination, they have created a powerful portrait of Wales today while drawing inspiring new maps for tomorrow.

The project forms part of the ongoing work of Children’s Laureate Wales, supporting children and young people across the country to develop confidence, creativity and a lifelong connection with literature, language and place.

The exhibition will be moving to the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, early in 2027.

With special thanks to the Ashley Family Foundation.

Schools involved in Maps of Today, Maps of Tomorrow

Ysgol Porth y Felin, Conwy

Ysgol Llangattock, Powys

Ysgol Abermule, Powys

Ysgol Tan y Castell, Gwynedd

Ysgol Llandegfan, Ynys Môn