What is True Gaims Festival?

 

Organised by Carps Cards and True Aim Activities, True Gaims Festival is an annual family event for all things gaming. Table top, role play and social deduction play a big part. We also have archery, quizzes and more.

 

How do I get to the festival?

 

The festival is held at Fonmon Castle, The Home of Jurassic Wales, near Rhoose in South Wales. We are set in the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan countryside and are just a small walk from the beach or a short drive from Barry Island.

 

The Castle is near Cardiff Wales Airport. Follow signs from all major routes. Fonmon Castle is a short drive along the B4265 towards Llantwit Major.

 

Catch the 304 Adventure travel bus from Rhoose Railway Station or the Airport towards Llantwit Major and get off at Fonmon Cross. The castle is a 15 minute walk from there.

 

https://fonmoncastle.com/visitor-info/directions-opening-times

 

Where’s the nearest cash machine?

 

The nearest cash Machine is at Tesco Express in Rhoose. This is also the nearest supermarket to stock up on food and other essentials.

 

What 3 words ///depend.brambles.faces

 

Alternatively, there’s a cashpoint at Four Cross service station where you can also buy fuel for your journey home

 

What 3 words ///merit.mailings.testing

 

 

Will I be able to park my car?

 

Yes, there is ample parking at Fonmon Castle. However, you will not be able to get your car close to the camping area. A designated drop off area is available with 5 minute time slots for unloading the car or the car park is only a short walk away from the camping area.

There is a parking charge at Fonmon Castle but this is included in your ticket price so please ensure you let us have your car registration number so that you aren’t charged twice.

 

Can I bring my Camper Van or Caravan?

 

Space is available for a few camper vans in the carpark. However, these must be booked and paid for in advance due to needing more space. Please note, currently there is no Elson point or electrical hookup available.

 

We currently have no space for Caravans however, Fontygary Caravan Park is a short walk (or a shorter drive) from Fonmon Castle which has space for touring caravans.

 

Can I bring a gazebo?

 

Unfortunately, due to the layout and space available we do not have space for gazebos.

 

Will there be food stalls? Can I cook?

 

There are food stalls available. We also have takeaway menus you can peruse including Fontygary Inn which will deliver a lovely Sunday Lunch to the park.

 

If you want to eat offsite The Highwayman Inn and Fontygary Inn are a short walk away.

 

Cooking is allowed, however due to the proximity of the forests only gas cookers are allowed. Sorry NO BBQs or open fires.

 

Are campfires allowed?

 

Sorry, due to the proximity of the forests, no BBQs or campfires are allowed. There will be firepits set up for games in designated areas but please, no individual fires. Thank you.

 

Can I come in a group?

 

Yes, the more the merrier. Bring your friends, bring your family, drag your next door neighbours if you wish. The more people the more fun and we just want to make gaming accessible for everyone.

 

What about alone?

 

Yes, if you don’t have anyone to play with that’s fine. We have things all figured out. Check out our Find a Player board, or take one of our tabletop looking for players signs or come along to one of the roleplaying or social deduction games and join in with a larger group. Alternatively, our staff and volunteers are on hand to make up a team and play a few rounds.

 

Can I bring children?

 

Yes of course. We welcome families and want to get our younger members of society hooked on board games at as early an age as possible. Don’t forget to book tickets for them including the free tickets for under 3s.

 

Fonmon Castle is family friendly with the dinosaur park and the storyland which you can explore within your ticket price.

 

Can I bring dogs and/or other pets?

 

Dogs yes, grizzly bears no. Yes pets are allowed but please note that we are in the heart of the countryside and there is a lot of wildlife. Carps Cards, True Aim Activities and Fonmon Castle all put nature above all else so please keep pets on a lead.

 

Is the Festival LGBTQIA+ friendly?

 

Yes, if you breathe you are welcome. We will not tolerate any form of hate speech, exclusion or bullying of any kind. Any issues should be reported to a member of staff who will deal with the matter promptly.

True Gaims Festival is for everyone and we welcome diversity.

 

Safe Space Policy

 

We have ZERO tolerance on racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia or any other form of discrimination.

If you feel you cannot adhere to these rules, please don’t buy a ticket.

 

What’s the toilets/showers situation?

 

Toilets are available including baby changing and disabled at the top end of the site. Please respect these and keep them clean. Please accompany children to the toilet.

Showers will be provided near the camping area.

 

Are board games provided? How should I look after board games?

 

Please bring some if you can, and be prepared to share. The festival is about meeting new people and playing new games. Introduce your favourites to as many others as you can, invite them to join your games and mix with lots of different people. You can play with your friends and family anytime, use the festival to gain new experiences.

 

We do have a library of games you can try. Each year we hope to increase the number of games available. You’ll be given a token on entry that you can exchange for a board game. Please make sure all games are returned and you have your token at the end of the festival.

 

If you have games you want to get rid of, we’re happy to take them off your hands.

 

How do I find out what’s happening during the festival?

 

An email will be sent out to all ticket holders nearer the date listing a timetable of events and a link to register for games with limited numbers such as D&D sessions. If you want any information feel free to email us at carpscards@gmail.com

 

What’s Werewolf?

 

Werewolf (or Wherewolf) is an amazing social deduction game of 10-20 players that lasts an hour or more. Try to figure out who is on your team, who’s a werewolf, and who’s a villager. We play in a circle (it’s a talking game, not a live action or roleplaying game) with lots of different roles, and there’s nothing quite like playing Werewolf around a campfire in the dark! We highly recommend you try a game or ten – there will be learning games specifically for new players.

​

Alternatively, Blood on the Clocktower games will be running throughout the festival. 

 

What roleplaying activities are there?

 

We’ll have GMs running one shot games throughout the festival. These can be booked in advance.

 

If you want to GM a game you’d be quite welcome. The more we have running the better.

 

Just email us at carpscards@gmail.com with ‘GM a game’ in the subject line and we’ll be happy to set you up a table.

 

I want to run a game or event

 

Go for it. The more we have running the better.

 

Email us at carpscards@gmail.com with ‘GM a game’ in the subject line and we’ll be happy to set you up a table.

 

What else is on?

 

We have an archery range run by True Aim Activities. Qualified coaches will be on hand to teach you basic skills and help you hit the target.

 

A range of quizzes and larger games will be run throughout the weekend.

 

If you want a break from gaming, Fonmon Castles grounds including Dinosaur Park, interactive story trail and nature walks are included in the ticket price.

 

There may be a Wedding in the castle, please respect their privacy and don’t enter the castle itself. Thanks

 

A full itinerary and details of how to book on sessions will be sent out before the event.

 

Will I be able to charge my phone?

There are no charging points at True Gaims Festival. Please bring powerbanks, charge in your car or just put your phone away for the weekend and enjoy doing something less technological.

 

Can I smoke/Vape?

 

True Gaims Festival and Fonmon Castle promote family based experiences and is set in a beautiful forest setting therefore smoking and vaping is only allowed in the car parking area.

 

Got more questions…?

 

Anything we haven’t answered and you need to know email carpscards@gmail.com and put True Gaims Festival in the subject line.

There are no stupid questions so don’t be afraid to ask. It might even end up on our FAQ page for next year.