There's also a theatre, an arts and crafts exhibition, a literature pavilion, a Welsh learners centre, a science and technology exhibition and the largest travelling visual arts exhibition in the UK, as well as over 300 trade stands and exhibitors.

All these pavilions will have their own timetable of events, so check out the Eisteddfod website for more information.

There's also a café and other food outlets on the Maes and, for only the second year running, a bar.

Evening entertainment, both in the pavilion and in other local venues, includes concerts, plays, revues, performances by local groups and socialising on a scale which has to be seen to be believed! A lot of this socialising goes on at Maes B, the site with camping, caravanning and live gigs for young people.

There's also Maes C, the poetry, comedy and 'the craic'.

Maes D
'D' stands for 'dysgwyr', or learners. Maes D is the Learners' Pavilion where you can compete on the Maes D stage, or get involved in a range of activities while listening to music and practising speaking Welsh with Welsh speakers, other learners and tutors. Information will be available on Welsh courses and social activities for learners.

Ceremonies will also be held to honour the winners of the main poetry and prose writing competitions for learners and one of the highlights of the week will be the Learner of the Year competition.

Can I make a holiday of it?
There'll be a camping/caravan site near The Maes with full facilities. If you do stay for the week, there's no reason not to look smart - you can get your hair done and buy a new outfit on The Maes.

What about the kids?
As well as different activities going on in the different tents and stalls each day, there'll be a play corner, with qualified people to look after your children and keep them entertained for a few hours.

Disabled access
You can hire a wheelchair on site. There are ramps into every tent, disabled toilets on site and a specified area for wheelchair users inside the pavilion.

Travel
Traffic from Dolgellau will be directly straight through the town to the field. Traffic from over the Berwyn mountains will be directed through Llanderfel, onto the A494 to Llanfor. Traffic from Trawsfynydd/Capel Curig will be directed towards Tairfelin, Frongoch and on to Rhiwlas and will park at the top of the site. This sytem will be one-way until 3pm, when it will be reversed. Those coming by train are advised to get off at Wrexham station and take the Barmouth bus which stops directly outside the site. They generally run every two hours.

For more information on what's going on, how to find a place to stay or to book tickets, contact the National Eisteddfod office:

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