I’ve just come back from a couple of days in sunny Cardiff (well, it was sunny part of the time), which I’ve never visited before in tourist mode.
At risk of being Ann Robinson’d +, Cardiff city centre isn’t the greatest tourist destination I’ve ever seen. Of course there is the castle, of which more later, but the city centre itself is a bit like a huge great building site with Reading town centre attached.
I can, however, recommend the Bay area – very scenic. I always wondered how in the TV show Torchwood, which uses this as one of its main locations, they managed to get the place looking so empty. But that’s exactly how it was on Friday morning (except that the exciting fountain was switched off).
However, what concerns me here is Cardiff Castle (sorry, railway anoraks, the building not the steam engine). We thought we’d pop in and see this glory of Cardiff. ‘Next tour is 10.30,’ we were told. But we didn’t want a guided tour, just a stroll around, we said. No way. No tour, no entry. So, sadly, feeling stroppy, we only saw it from the outside.
Why is this bad for science? To encourage young people into science we should be encouraging them to explore for themselves, to find things out – not to be fed it all, pre-digested. Forcing people to go on guided tours seems a bit like this. You aren’t allowed to discover things for yourselves, take it in our pre-packaged form or not at all. And that seems rather sad.
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+ Note for those not of the UK persuasion, Ms Robinson, erstwhile TV presenter of The Weakest Link, was allegedly arrested (though released without charge) for an offence against the race relations act for daring to say something nasty about the Welsh.
This has always been my point to. We should encouraging young people to explore science for themselves, to find things out! The nature of science is that when you seek insight it comes to you. The more you want to know the truth about a theory the closer you get to the truth. Take Eistein, he research led him to ask the most beautiful questions of them all: “Is the Universe a good Universe”. Of course he knew that this answer is “yes” but he wanted everybody to find out for themselves.
I remember visiting a wonderful old castle in Belgium where kids were allowed to roam free in the dungeons and dark, twisty connecting passageways. So much more interesting than the stately home tours we had to endure in the 2 years of our family National Trust membership. Exploring is best without tour guides or parents.
Cath – I was careful not to take my parents to Cardiff, so I agree with this entirely.
woah, just a second. Don’t blow things out of proportion!
I’m a PhD educated scientist who has enjoyed the tour of the castle on several occasions. In no way will exploring the castle on your own advance your understanding of science, unless you want to brush up your maze exit algorithm (I recommend “right right right left” and repeat until the exit is found). Similarly, I don’t believe that hearing all about the lovely architecture, the Bute family and William Burgess will do your understanding of science any damage; quite the opposite since hearing the inspiration for the design of some of the rooms might provide inspiration for some aspects of your own life. I certainly came off the tour with a ‘wow’ factor every time.
Hearing stories from tour guides can be more insightful than reading passages of text placed strategically around the building. For one, it provides the opportunity to ask questions (and asking questions is important in science!).
In terms of logistics, the castle is big (real chance of getting lost) and hazardous (tight, twisty staircases). Some of the original furniture and decor is undoubtedly very expensive and would need to be guarded – hey, let’s not pretend vandalism isn’t a real threat. Too many staff and security cameras would be required for this suggestion to be viable.
So just enjoy the castle and feel amazed by all that the (then) richest man in the world created with his architect and friend.
If you’re of an age where you really feel a tour versus wandering around on your own will make a difference to your future scientific curiosity, I suggest heading to Techniquest just off the A4232 near Cardiff Bay.
That is why Cardiff Castle is most certainly NOT bad for science!