List of museums in Wales facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This is a list of awesome places in Wales where you can explore cool stuff! These places, called museums, are like treasure chests. They collect and take care of objects that are important for our culture, art, science, or history. Then, they show these collections to everyone. We've also included art galleries and university art galleries that are open to the public.

If a museum only exists online, it's not on this list. Some museums are marked 'NMW', which means they are part of the National Museum Wales family.

Museums in North Wales

Anglesey Museums

Beaumaris Castle (Beaumaris): Historic house - A medieval castle where you can imagine knights and kings.
Beaumaris Courthouse (Beaumaris): Law enforcement - This old courthouse from 1614 shows how justice was done long ago.
Beaumaris Gaol (Beaumaris): Prison - Explore a 19th-century prison and see what life was like for prisoners.
Canolfan Ucheldre Centre (Holyhead): Art - A community arts center with modern art and craft exhibits.
Copper Kingdom Centre (Amlwch): Local - Learn about local history, copper mining, and shipbuilding.
Haulfre Stables (Beaumaris): Transport - See Victorian horse harnesses, saddles, carts, and carriages (open by appointment).
Holyhead Maritime Museum (Holyhead): Maritime - Located in an old lifeboat station, it tells stories of the sea and local life.
Llynnon Mill (Holyhead): Mill - A working 18th-century windmill.
Menai Heritage Bridges Exhibition (Menai Bridge): Technology - Discover the amazing history of the Menai Suspension Bridge and the Britannia Bridge.
Moelfre Seawatch Centre (Moelfre): Maritime - Features a lifeboat, sea artifacts, and information about marine life.
Oriel Ynys Môn (Llangefni): Multiple - Explore art, culture, and the social history of Anglesey.
Penmaenmawr Museum (Penmaenmawr): Local - A local history museum and archive for Penmaenmawr.
Plas Newydd (Llanfairpwllgwyngyll): Historic house - An 18th-century house with 1930s style, a military museum, and beautiful gardens.
South Stack Lighthouse (Holy Island): Maritime - Visit a historic lighthouse, its engine room, and exhibits.
Stone Science (Pentraeth): Natural history - See dinosaurs, fossils, rocks, and minerals.
Swtan Heritage Museum (Rhydwyn): Historic house - A 16th-century Welsh cottage with a thatched roof, showing early 20th-century rural life.
Tacla Taid (Rhydwyn): Transport - Also known as Anglesey Transport and Agriculture Museum, with cars, motorbikes, and farm vehicles.

Conwy Museums

Aberconwy House (Conwy): Historic house - A medieval merchant's house with rooms from different time periods.
Conwy Castle (Conwy): Historic house - A magnificent medieval castle.
Conwy Mussel Museum (Conwy): Maritime - Learn about pearl fishing in Conwy.
Conwy Suspension Bridge (Conwy): Technology - An old suspension bridge from 1826, now a footbridge, with a 1890s toll house.
Conwy Valley Railway Museum (Betws-y-Coed): Railway - See railway equipment, miniature trains, and memorabilia.
Home Front Experience (Llandudno): Living - Experience what life was like in Britain during World War II.
Llandudno Museum (Llandudno): Local - Discover local history, culture, copper mining, and a Welsh kitchen.
Mostyn (Llandudno): Art - A gallery showcasing contemporary art.
New York Cottages (Penmaenmawr): Historic house - 1840s houses for quarry workers, showing local history and industry.
Plas Mawr (Conwy): Historic house - A beautiful 16th-century Elizabethan town house.
Royal Cambrian Academy of Art (Conwy): Art - Hosts many art exhibits throughout the year.
Sir Henry Jones Museum (Llangernyw): Historic house - The Victorian childhood home of philosopher Sir Henry Jones.
Smallest House in Great Britain (Conwy): Historic house - A tiny 16th-century house, only 10 feet by 6 feet!
Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant (Penmachno): Historic house - A 16th-century farmhouse, birthplace of Bishop William Morgan, who first translated the Bible into Welsh.

Denbighshire Museums

Bodelwyddan Castle (Bodelwyddan): Multiple - A historic house with Victorian rooms, art from the National Portrait Gallery, and lovely gardens.
Llangollen Motor Museum (Llangollen): Automobile - See cars, motorcycles, and related memorabilia.
Llangollen Museum (Llangollen): Local - Learn about local history and culture.
Nantclwyd y Dre (Ruthin): Historic house - A 15th-century timbered house with rooms decorated from different periods up to the 1940s.
Plas Newydd (Llangollen): Historic house - A late 18th-century Gothic cottage.
Rhyl Miniature Railway (Rhyl): Railway - Enjoy a ride on a miniature railway and visit its museum.
Rhyl Museum (Rhyl): Local - Explore local history and culture.
Ruthin Gaol (Ruthin): Prison - A 19th-century Victorian prison with history dating back to the 17th century.
Ruthin Craft Centre (Ruthin): Art - A center for modern crafts with galleries, artist studios, and workshops.
Wireless in Wales Museum (Denbigh): Wireless radio - A collection of old radios from the 1920s to the 1960s.

Flintshire Museums

Buckley Library, Museum and Gallery (Buckley): Local - Local history, including items from old potteries.
Greenfield Valley Heritage Park (Holywell): Industry - An open-air park with a farm museum and old factories.
Mold Library, Museum and Gallery (Mold): Local - Local history, including information about author Daniel Owen.
St Winefride's Well (Holywell): Religious - A shrine with a museum about its history.

Gwynedd Museums

Bocs (Caernarfon): Art - A center for young artists with an art gallery.
Cae'r Gors (Rhosgadfan): Literature - The restored birthplace of author Kate Roberts.
Caernarfon Airworld Museum (Caernarfon): Aviation - A collection of old aircraft and the history of mountain rescue.
Caernarfon Castle (Caernarfon): Historic house - A medieval fortress where the Prince of Wales is invested, also home to the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum.
Lasynys Fawr (Harlech): Historical house - The restored 15th-century home of poet Ellis Wynne.
Llechwedd Slate Caverns (Blaenau Ffestiniog): Mining - Explore an old slate mine and its tramways.
Lloyd George Museum (Llanystumdwy): Historic house - The boyhood home of British Prime Minister David Lloyd George.
Narrow Gauge Railway Museum (Tywyn): Railway - See locomotives and artifacts from many British narrow gauge railways.
National Slate Museum (Llanberis): Industry - (NMW) Learn about the history of slate quarrying in Wales.
Oriel Pendeitsh (Caernarfon): Art - An exhibition space for art.
Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw (Pwllheli): Art - A beautiful art gallery.
Penrhyn Castle (Llandygai): Historic house - A 19th-century fantasy castle with amazing architecture.
Penrhyn Castle Railway Museum (Llandygai): Railway - Features old Industrial railway locomotives.
Porthmadog Maritime Museum (Porthmadog): Maritime - Stories of schooners built in the town and the sailors who sailed them.
Quaker Heritage Centre (Dolgellau): Religious - The history of the local Quaker community.
Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum (Caernarfon): Military - Located at Caernarfon Castle, it displays uniforms, weapons, and medals.
Segontium (Caernarfon): Archaeology - An excavated Roman fort with a visitor center and artifacts.
Sygun Copper Mine (Beddgelert): Mining - Take an underground tour of this Victorian copper mine.
Storiel (Bangor): Multiple - Local history, art, culture, and archaeology.
Tŷ Siamas (Dolgellau): Music - The national center for Welsh folk music.

Wrexham Museums

Bersham Colliery Mining Museum (Rhostyllen): Industry - Explore a former coalfield, its equipment, and learn about miner family life.
Chirk Castle (Bersham): Historic house - A medieval fortress with grand rooms, towers, dungeons, and gardens.
Erddig (Wrexham): Historic house - An early 18th-century country house showing life "upstairs and downstairs" over 250 years.
Minera Lead Mines (Minera): Industry - A former lead mine with equipment and insights into miner family life.
Nant Mill Visitor Centre (Wrexham): Natural history - Located in an old corn mill in Nant Mill Country Park.
Tŷ Pawb (Wrexham): Art - An arts center with exhibitions.
Xplore! (Wrexham): Science - Hands-on science exhibits for all ages.
Wrexham County Borough Museum (Wrexham): Local - Discover local history and culture.
The Wrexham Miners Project (Wrexham): Local - Learn about the history of mining in Wrexham.

Museums in Mid Wales

Ceredigion Museums

Aberystwyth Arts Centre (Aberystwyth): Art - Part of Aberystwyth University, with galleries for art and ceramics.
Ceredigion Museum (Aberystwyth): Local - Local history, archaeology, natural history, and Welsh furniture.
Internal Fire – Museum of Power (Tanygroes): Technology - A museum dedicated to internal combustion and steam engines.
Lampeter Museum (Lampeter): Local - Local history exhibits in the town library.
Llanerchaeron (Ciliau Aeron): Historic house - An 18th-century Welsh estate with a dairy, laundry, brewery, and organic farm.
Llanon Cottage (Llanon): Historic house - A Tudor cottage with its original straw rope underthatch.
Llywernog Silver-Lead Mine (Ponterwyd): Mining - Explore an 18th-century silver mine, its buildings, and equipment.
New Quay Heritage Centre (New Quay): Local - Exhibits on local history.
School of Art Gallery and Museum at Aberystwyth University (Aberystwyth): Art - Features fine art, photography, prints, drawings, and decorative art.
Strata Florida Abbey (Pontrhydfendigaid): Archaeology - The remains of a medieval Cistercian abbey.
Tregaron Kite Centre and Museum (Tregaron): Natural history - Learn about kites and other birds, the Tregaron Bog, and local history.
Welsh Quilt Centre (Lampeter): Art - Exhibits of beautiful quilts and textile art.

Powys Museums

Abbey-Cwm-Hir Hall (Nr. Llandrindod Wells): Historic house - A 19th-century country house with lovely gardens.
Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture (Berriew): Art - See the unique works by sculptor Andrew Logan.
Brecon Cathedral Heritage Centre (Brecon): Religious - Located in a 17th-century barn, it tells the history of the cathedral.
Centre for Alternative Technology (Machynlleth): Science - Exhibits about eco-friendly technologies and sustainable living.
Howell Harris Museum (Aberhonddu): Religious - Learn about the life of 18th-century Methodist leader Howell Harris.
Judge's Lodging Museum (Presteigne): Historic house - An 1870s house with restored judge's apartments, servants’ quarters, and a courtroom.
Llanidloes Museum (Llanidloes): Local - Local history, industry, Victorian rooms, and natural history.
Mid Wales Arts Centre (Caersws): Art - Includes a collection of works by Stefan Knapp.
Minerva Arts Centre (Llanidloes): Art - Exhibits of quilts and textiles by the Quilt Association.
MOMA, Wales (Machynlleth): Art - Showcases contemporary art exhibits.
National Cycle Museum (Llandrindod Wells): Transport - Features over 260 bicycles!
Newtown Textile Museum (Newtown): Industry - A typical early 19th-century hand weaving shop (open on special occasions).
The Old Bell Museum (Montgomery): Local history - Housed in a 16th-century inn.
Oriel Davies Gallery (Newtown): Art - A gallery for contemporary art and craft.
Owain Glyndwr Centre (Machynlleth): Biographical - Learn about Owain Glyndŵr, a 14th-century Welsh ruler.
Powis Castle (Welshpool): Historic house - A castle with paintings, sculptures, furniture, and a museum of 18th-century artifacts from India.
Powysland Museum (Welshpool): Local - Local history, culture, farming, archaeology, and military.
Radnorshire Museum (Llandrindod Wells): Local - Local history, archaeology, natural history (including fossils), and social history.
Rhayader Museum & Gallery (Rhayader): Local - A local museum and gallery.
Robert Owen Museum (Newtown): Biographical - Learn about social reformer Robert Owen.
Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh (Brecon): Military - Displays uniforms, weapons, medals, and artifacts of the South Wales Borderers.
Thomas Shop Museum (Penybont): History - An 1805 period general store.
Tretower Court (Crickhowell): Historic house - A medieval fortified manor house.
W H Smith Museum (Newtown): History - The original location of the W H Smith chain of booksellers, set up as a period shop.
Y Gaer (Brecon): Multiple - Local history, culture, archaeology, rural life, and an art gallery.

Museums in South Wales

Blaenau Gwent Museums

Abertillery & District Museum (Abertillery): Multiple - Local history, period rooms, mining, and Roman artifacts.
Bedwellty House (Tredegar): Historic house - An early 19th-century ironmaster's home and gardens.
Blaina Heritage Action Group Museum (Tredegar): Local - Focuses on local history.
Brynmawr & District Museum (Brynmawr): Local - Local history, including Brynmawr Furniture pieces.
Tredegar Local History Museum (Tredegar): Local - Located in the town library, covering local history and industry.

Bridgend Museums

Cefn Junction Signal Box (Cefn Cribwr): Local - Located in an 1898 signal box, focusing on local history, rail, and coal mining.
Porthcawl Museum (Porthcawl): Local - Local history of Porthcawl.
St John's House (Bridgend): Local - Local history of Bridgend.

Caerphilly Museums

Caerphilly Castle (Caerphilly): Historic house - A medieval castle with replica siege engines.
Llancaiach Fawr (Nelson): Living - A 1645 period home, showing life during the English Civil War.
Winding House (New Tredegar): Local - Local history, coal mining, and a winding engine.

Cardiff Museums

Butetown History and Arts Centre (Butetown): Multiple - Local history, culture, and art.
Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre (Cardiff): Local - Exhibits on local history and culture.
Cardiff Castle (Cardiff): Historic house - A medieval castle and a Victorian Gothic revival mansion.
Cardiff Story (Cardiff): Local - Tells the story of Cardiff's history and culture.
Castell Coch (Tongwynlais): Historic house - A late 19th-century "fairy-tale" Victorian Gothic castle.
Chapter Arts Centre (Canton): Art - An arts center for international art, performance, and film.
Craft in the Bay (Cardiff): Art - A gallery for contemporary crafts.
Doctor Who Exhibition Centre (Cardiff): Media - See artifacts from the Doctor Who TV series.
Firing Line: Cardiff Castle Museum of the Welsh Soldier (Cardiff): Military - Located at Cardiff Castle, it covers the history of the Welch Regiment.
The Gate (Roath): Art - An arts center with an exhibit gallery.
Insole Court (Llandaff): Historic house - A Victorian mansion.
National Museum Cardiff (Cardiff): Multiple - (NMW) Art, archaeology, natural history, dinosaurs, geology, and decorative arts.
Norwegian Church Arts Centre (Cardiff): Art - An arts center with a gallery.
Pierhead (Cardiff): History - A late 19th-century building with Welsh history exhibits.
St Fagans National History Museum (St Fagans): Open air - (NMW) Over forty historic buildings, including a Celtic village and an Elizabethan manor house.
Techniquest (Cardiff): Science - Hands-on science exhibits that make learning fun.
Third Floor Gallery (Cardiff): Photography - A gallery for national and international contemporary photography.
Wales Millennium Centre (Cardiff): Art - A performing arts center with an exhibit gallery.

Carmarthenshire Museums

Bro Aman Heritage Room (Ammanford): Local history - Located in the Ammanford Town Library.
Carmarthenshire County Museum (Carmarthen): Multiple - Local history, culture, art, furniture, and a 19th-century schoolroom.
Dolaucothi Gold Mines (Pumsaint): Mining - Roman surface and deep gold mines.
Dylan Thomas Boathouse (Laugharne): Historic house - The final home of poet Dylan Thomas.
Kidwelly Industrial Museum (Kidwelly): Industry - Buildings and equipment from the Tinplate industry.
Museum of Speed (Pendine): Automotive - Learn about the use of Pendine Sands for land speed record attempts.
National Coracle Centre (Cenarth): Maritime - A collection of coracles (small, round boats).
National Wool Museum (Llandysul): Industry - (NMW) An old woolen mill with a textiles gallery.
Newton House (Llandeilo): Historic house - A 1912 period house in a large park, near Dinefwr Castle ruins.
Oriel Myrddin Gallery (Carmarthen): Art - A contemporary art gallery.
Parc Howard Museum (Llanelli): Multiple - Local pottery, art, decorative arts, and local history.
West Wales Museum of Childhood (Llangeler): Toy - A collection of toys, dolls, model trains, and period schoolroom items.

Merthyr Tydfil Museums

Cyfarthfa Castle (Merthyr Tydfil): Multiple - Local and social history, art, and decorative arts.
Joseph Parry's Cottage (Merthyr Tydfil): Historic house - An 1840s ironworker's cottage, birthplace of composer Joseph Parry.

Monmouthshire Museums

Abergavenny Museum (Abergavenny): Local - Local history, culture, a period saddlers shop, and a Victorian farmhouse kitchen.
Caldicot Castle (Caldicot): Historic house - A medieval castle with Victorian furnishings and local history artifacts.
Chepstow Museum (Chepstow): Local - Local history of Chepstow.
Monmouth Museum (Monmouth): Biographical - Includes the former Nelson Museum about Admiral Horatio Nelson, plus local history.
Monmouth Regimental Museum (Monmouth): Military - The history of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers.
Priory Church of St Mary (Abergavenny): Religious - Exhibits in the tithe barn about the priory and a tapestry of town history.
Usk Rural Life Museum (Usk): Agriculture - Farm tools, equipment, and period household displays.

Neath Port Talbot Museums

Cefn Coed Colliery Museum (Crynant): Mining - A former coal mine with buildings, equipment, and a tram.
Margam Stones Museum (Margam): Religious - Inscribed pre-Romanesque, Roman, and Celtic stones and crosses.
South Wales Miners' Museum (Cymmer): Mining - A former coal mine with buildings, equipment, and a miner's cottage.
Welsh Museum of Fire (Skewen): Firefighting - Fire engines, equipment, and memorabilia (open by appointment).

Newport Museums

Fourteen Locks Canal and Heritage Centre (Newport): Transport - The history of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.
National Roman Legion Museum (Caerleon): Archaeology - (NMW) Artifacts and excavations from the Roman legion fortress.
Isca Augusta amphitheatre, barracks, fortress walls and Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths (Caerleon): Archaeology - Roman fortress and settlement remains.
Newport Museum and Art Gallery (Newport): Multiple - Local history, art, Roman history, and natural history.
Newport Ship (Newport): Maritime - A 15th-century sailing vessel being restored, viewable on open days.
Newport Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre (Newport): Transport - The history and construction of the bridge.
Riverfront Arts Centre (Newport): Art - An arts center with a gallery.
Tredegar House (Newport): Historic house - A 17th-century Charles II country house mansion.

Pembrokeshire Museums

Carew Castle (Carew): Multiple - Medieval castle ruins and a 19th-century tidal grinding mill.
Carew Cheriton Control Tower (Carew): Military - History of RAF Carew Cheriton and a World War II control tower.
Castell Henllys (Crymych): Open air - A reconstructed Iron Age fort.
Fleets to Flying Boat Centre (Pembroke Dock): Multiple - Learn about Sunderland flying boats and local WWII history.
Haverfordwest Town Museum (Haverfordwest): Local - Local history, industry, and artifacts from Haverfordwest Castle.
Milford Haven Museum (Milford Haven): Local - Local history, maritime history, and industries.
Narberth Museum (Narberth): Local - Local history and culture.
Oriel y Parc (St Davids): Art - An art gallery focusing on Pembrokeshire landscapes, also the visitor center for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
Pembrock Dock Heritage Centre (Pembroke Dock): Multiple - Located in a Martello tower, covering local, military, and maritime history.
Penrhos Cottage (Maenclochog): Historic house - A tiny early 19th-century cottage (open by appointment).
Picton Castle (Haverfordwest): Historic house - A medieval castle with an art gallery and gardens.
Scolton Manor (Haverfordwest): Multiple - A Victorian manor house with period rooms and exhibits on local history.
Techniquest (Narberth): Science - Hands-on science exhibits.
Tenby Museum and Art Gallery (Tenby): Multiple - Local history, art, natural history, and maritime heritage.
Tudor Merchant's House (Tenby): Historic house - A late 15th-century Tudor period house.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Museums

Nantgarw Chinaworks Museum (Nantgarw): Industry - The history of Nantgarw Pottery.
Rhondda Heritage Park (Trehafod): Mining - A former coal mine where you can explore.

Swansea Museums

1940s Swansea Bay (Swansea): Military - Learn about military and civilian life in Swansea during World War II.
Dylan Thomas Centre (Swansea): Biographical - Exhibits about the famous author Dylan Thomas.
Egypt Centre Museum of Egyptian Antiquities (Swansea): Archaeology - Part of Swansea University, with ancient Egyptian artifacts.
Gower Heritage Centre (Parkmill): Open air - Includes a 12th-century water mill, a restored woolen mill, and outdoor exhibits.
Glynn Vivian Art Gallery (Swansea): Art - Features works by Old Masters, contemporary art, and porcelain.
Mission Gallery (Swansea): Art - Exhibitions of visual arts, applied arts, and crafts.
National Waterfront Museum (Swansea): Multiple - (NMW) Welsh industrial and maritime heritage, social history, and technology.
Swansea Museum (Swansea): Multiple - Exhibits on city history, culture, boats, and trams.
Taliesin Arts Centre (Swansea): Art - Part of Swansea University, includes Oriel Ceri Richards Gallery.

Torfaen Museums

Big Pit National Coal Museum (Blaenafon): Industry - (NMW) A former coal mine where you can go on an underground tour.
Blaenavon Ironworks (Blaenafon): Industry - Remains of old iron works and restored 18th-century workers' housing.
Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre (Cwmbran): Art - Exhibitions of applied and visual art.
Pontypool Museum (Pontypool): Local - Local history, art, domestic life, and Japanware.

Vale of Glamorgan Museums

Art Central (Barry): Art - A community art gallery in the old town hall.
Cosmeston Medieval Village (Lavernock): Living - A recreated 14th-century peasant village.
Cowbridge Museum (Cowbridge): Prison - Located in Cowbridge Town Hall, it was an early 19th-century prison and now a local history museum.
Fonmon Castle (Rhoose): Historic house - A medieval castle home with gardens.
Nash Point Lighthouse (Nash Point): Maritime - Lighthouse tours are available.
Oriel Washington Gallery (Penarth): Art - A contemporary art gallery.
Penarth Pier Pavilion (Penarth): Art - Hosts exhibits of art, photography, and crafts.
Turner House Gallery (Penarth): Art - An exhibition space for photography, video, and digital media.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Bersham Heritage Centre
Cae Dai 50s Museum, Denbigh (destroyed by fire in 2009)
Celtica, Machynlleth, Powys
Griffithstown Railway Museum, Pontypool (closed in 2011)
Llanrwst Almshouse Museum, Llanrwst (closed in 2011)
Museum of Childhood Memories, Beaumaris
Baked Bean Museum of Excellence, Port Talbot (closed in 2023)