Booking Information for St Fagans National Museum of History

Making a booking

All schools and groups are required to book their visits at least two weeks in advance. 

Phone (029) 2057 3424
 Email: learning.stfagans@museumwales.ac.uk

Our booking hours are from Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 4.30 pm. 

We recommend allowing at least 3 hours for your visit to fully experience all that the museum has to offer. Pre-booked groups enjoy the added benefits of free entry and complimentary coach and minibus parking. We are open seven days a week and most public holidays, between 10am – 5pm. Please note that the Education booking office is closed on weekends and bank holidays. 

  • School bookings must be made exclusively through the St Fagans Learning Admin team. When making a group booking, please make us aware of any additional access or learning needs your group may have. 
  • We kindly request that you refrain from booking tickets through external services. 
  • Upon your arrival at the museum, a member of our Learning team will greet your group at the main entrance. During check-in, we will confirm the details of your visit and answer any questions that you may have.  We will also ask you to sign in and provide the total number of individuals in your group. 
  • Once your booking is confirmed, we will send you a written confirmation. Please review it carefully and notify us promptly if any amendments are necessary. 

Charges for facilitated sessions 

Please note that the museum only charges for Museum-led activities, which you can explore on our website: Learn at St Fagans National Museum of History | Museum Wales 

There is a charge for curriculum focused sessions led by Museum staff. There are three different prices (excluding VAT): 

  • for sessions of up to 1 hour for up to 15 pupils – £40  
  • for sessions of up to 1 hour for up to 30 pupils – £60  
  • for sessions of up to half a day for up to 35 pupils - £100 

Special Educational Needs groups are eligible for free sessions. 

Our Finance Department will send an invoice to your school after your visit. Advertised prices exclude VAT but most schools can claim this back from their Local Authority. 

Cancellation 

Cancellations received after 10am on the day, as well as groups that arrive late or miss their session, will be subject to the full session price. Additionally, any booking amendments or cancellations may incur a £25 administrative fee. 

We understand that circumstances may change, and we kindly request that you inform the Learning team as early as possible if you need to cancel or amend your booking. This will allow us to allocate your place to another group and ensure a smooth experience for all visitors. 

Please have the following information available when booking: 

  • Name of your school / organization 
  • Address 
  • Postcode 
  • Phone number 
  • Contact email address 
  • Name of the teacher / group leader 
  • Number of students  
  • Age Range 
  • Do any of your pupils have additional needs that we need to be aware of? 
  • Number of staff 
  • Preferred date (please list several) 
  • Which buildings you would like to visit? Please note certain buildings cannot be visited without advance booking.  
  • Which museum-led activities you would like to book and which language (Welsh or English)? 
  • Arrival and departure time 
  • Would you like access to the sandwich room? We offer thirty-minute slots. Please do let us know if you require exclusive use of the sandwich room for any medical or access needs. 

Opening Times 

 Open seven days a week and most public holidays, between 10am – 5pm. Please note that the Education booking office is closed on weekends and bank holidays. 

Health and Safety 

You will find health and safety information to help you complete your risk assessment here [PDF].  
 All children/ students aged sixteen years or under must be supervised at all times. 

 Adult/child ratios: 

  • Nursery to Year 2 (3 to 7 years old):  1 responsible adult: 6 children 
  • Years 3 to 6 (7 to 11 years old):  1 responsible adult: 10 children 
  • Years 7 onwards (11+ years old): 1 responsible adult: 15 children 

Visiting 

 There are coach spaces in the Museum car park. You will be directed to them on arrival. For directions and transport links click here. 

Disabled Access 

Most of our site is wheelchair-accessible, but some historic buildings may have limited access. The terrain is steep in places on the Castle side of the Museum and may prove difficult.  Wheelchairs can be borrowed at the main entrance. During the summer months, we also provide a land train service that operates at regular intervals, transporting visitors from one end of the site to the other.  
 

An access guide is available here. 

Suitable clothing 

Visitors will be outdoors during most of their time at the Museum, so please bring appropriate clothing for all types of weather. Paths can be muddy in winter – please bring appropriate footwear. 

On arrival 

Museum staff will be present at the Learning reception to welcome you. They will confirm the details of your visit and answer any questions that you may have. It is important for us to know the exact number of visitors in your group.  
Extreme care should be taken when crossing the car park. Groups should remain on the bus until the group leader has signed in – if possible. 

Toilets 

  • We provide various toilet facilities throughout the museum: 
  • The main toilet block is located near the front entrance. 
  • An additional toilet block is available upstairs in the Weston Centre for Learning. 
  • You can find other toilets near St. Fagans Castle, the Oakdale Workmen's Institute, and the Gweithdy. 
  • For our visitors with disabilities, accessible toilet facilities are situated at the main entrance, Oakdale Workmen's Institute, the Gweithdy and near the Rhyd-y-Car cottages. 

Food and drink 

We offer a variety of food and drink options available onsite. establishments serve a range of refreshments including both hot and cold food, cakes, a selection of beverages, and more. If you would like to make any food or drink arrangements for your visit, please contact us.  

Changing Places Unit 

A 'Changing Places Unit' is available at the Museum which includes an electronic bed and hoist in addition to a toilet. The unit can be accessed using a 'radar' key, which can be requested from the Main entrance. 

Map 

Printable maps are sent with booking confirmation email, or alternatively maps are available to purchase on site for 50p. 

Museum Shop 

Your group will receive a warm welcome in the shop. The shop sells a wide range of products such as small toys, books, and postcards. We do however require that you visit in small groups throughout your visit. Alternatively, goody bags made up of pocket money items can be ordered in advance and paid for on the day of your visit. For further details please contact our shop staff on (029) 2057 3412. 

Museum Guidelines 

  • All children/ students aged sixteen years or under must be supervised at all times. 
  • Visitors should not touch or feed any of the livestock onsite. 
  • Dogs are allowed outdoors on site but must be kept on a short lead. 
  • Smoking is not permitted onsite. 

Preview Visits 

Preview visits are available for teachers or group leaders wishing to familiarize themselves with the Museum. Please telephone to make arrangements beforehand if you wish to speak to a member of the Learning team on the day of your preview visit. 

Craftsmen 

At the Museum, several craftsmen, including the blacksmith, clog maker, woollen miller, and corn miller, conduct demonstrations and talks for the public and educational groups. If your group is interested in a specific craft, please contact the Learning team beforehand to check availability. 

First Aid 

If First Aid attention is needed, please contact one of the Museum Assistants, who will then summon a trained member of staff. 

Lost Children 

Please advise children separated from their group to inform a Museum Assistant or member of Museum staff if they are lost. Should a group leader become aware that one of their group is missing, they should inform a Museum Assistant or a member of Museum staff who will take appropriate action.  

Any other Emergency 

In the event of any other emergency please contact a Museum Assistant. 

Child protection policy 

The Museum’s child protection policy is available here.