About Hel Hanes

Find out how you can discover more about history in your area.

Hel Hanes is a collection of three local history games for pupils aged 7-11 (Key Stage 2). Each activity encourages the user to look around them and explore the wealth of history on their doorstep.

The three activities are:

Dilyn Dy Drwyn (Follow Your Nose)
Uncover the facts around eight real-life events in the company of your canine sidekick S182 - the hound with his nose to the ground.

Use your dogged determination to gather historical clues from a variety of sources, sniff out the evidence and establish exactly what happened.

Achubwch Fi (Save Me)
Take part in a television panel show and decide how best to rescue two rundown historical buildings. Should the dilapidated castle be restored or refurbished? And will the World War II prison camp become a leisure complex or a visitor attraction?

Listen to the studio experts - then make up your own mind!

Trwy'r Ffenest (Through the Window)
What's through your window? From canals and crofts to mines and motorways, this is your chance to find out more about eight different features of the landscape.

Check-out archive film footage, explore photographs close-up and test yourself with rapid-fire quizzes where correct answers will allow you to collect more interesting historical facts.

Cymorth Clyweledol (Audio Visual help)
Click on the Cymorth Clyweledol button to:


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About Dilyn Dy Drwyn

Investigate eight historical events by examining evidence from different sources - with the help of a roving robodog!

Your aim is to examine historical evidence collected by your canine sidekick S182. You're guided by the commander who will give you instructions and test your skills with a series of questions.

When you complete each investigation, you can watch a short film about the event. You can also gather all the information in your investigator's handbook which you can print out and keep.

Launch the Dilyn Dy Drwyn (Follow Your Nose) activities

The eight investigations are:

Y Parasiwtydd Coll (The Missing Parachutist)
Examine the circumstances surrounding the death of a brave young parachutist during the 1896 Cardiff Exhibition.
Download and print the 'Investigating Gravestones' pack

Storm Mis Tachwedd (November Storm)
Investigate the cause of the Carlingford Lough shipping disaster off the coast of County Down in 1916.
Download and print the 'Investigating Objects' pack

Stori'r Tywysog (The Prince's Tale)
Research the life of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, and find out how his good work is still commemorated in London.
Download and print the 'Investigating Buildings' pack

Y Ddihangfa Lwcus (The Lucky Escape)
Discover more about a daring rescue attempt amidst the wreckage of a collapsed Edinburgh tenement block in 1861.
Download and print the 'Investigating Memorials' pack

Y Tram Olaf (The Last Tram)
Scour the evidence to find out more about the final journey of Ireland's last horse drawn tram.
Download and print the 'Investigating Town Signs' pack

Yr Ynys Ddu (The Black Isle)
Trace the history of the Kessock ferry and discover why a bridge was built to span the Beauly Firth.
Download and print the 'Investigating Transport' pack

Yr Ysgrifen ar y Mur (The Writing On The Wall)
Find out why people travelled to Penrith Corn Market in search of work during the 19th century.
Download and print the 'Investigating Street Names' pack

Pleserau Glan y Môr (Seaside Pleasures)
Uncover the history of Rhos-on-Sea pier and find out what happened when a pleasure boat ride went disastrously wrong.
Download and print the 'Investigating Ruins' pack

Make a note of all the different types of evidence you find during your investigations. Could you use similar sources to discover more about historical events in your area?

About Achubwch Fi

The audience of the fictional television show Achubwch Fi must vote to decide what should be done with two historic buildings. Listen carefully to what the experts have to say - the fate of these buildings is in your hands!

Launch the Achubwch Fi (Save Me) activities

The two buildings facing an uncertain future are:

A Victorian castle
This castle was the height of luxury when it was built but it has now fallen into disrepair. Should it be preserved as a museum or should it be converted into plush apartments?

A World War II prison camp
The camp was a temporary structure built to house prisoners but it hasn't aged well. Should it be restored as a visitor attraction or would building a leisure centre on the land be a better idea?

Listen carefully as the history experts answer questions from the audience and present their arguments for and against the proposals. Decide whose standpoint you agree with - your vote could be all-important!

Look around your local area - are there any historical buildings in need of restoration? What would be the best use for them?

Trwy'r Ffenest

Find out more about eight features of the landscape by viewing photographs, watching archive film footage and listening to audio clips.

Launch the 'Trwy'r Ffenest' (Through the Window) activities

The eight features are:

Rheilffyrdd (Railways)
Melinau (Mills)
Blociau Fflatiau (Tower Blocks)
Iardiau Llongau (Shipyards)
Traffyrdd (Motorways)
Pyllau Glo (Mines)
Crofftau (Crofts)
Camlesi (Canals)

Each theme has:


Are there similar features in your area? Look for old photographs and archive film to learn more about them. Find someone who remembers what life used to be like and ask them to share their memories.