Booking Information for St Fagans National Museum of History
Making a booking
All schools and groups must book two weeks in advance. Phone (029) 2057 3424 to book, or e-mail learning.stfagans@museumwales.ac.uk (Monday–Friday, 9.00am–4.00pm). We recommend that you allow at least 3 hours for your visit. Please can all schools book through the usual process and not through Eventbrite.
One school group per day can visit, a maximum of 2 classes from a single school.
A member of the learning team will meet the group in the main entrance upon arrival.
Self-led visits only. The group will need to be split into smaller groups, approximately 10 children with one adult per group, and keep to social distancing guidelines.
All children over the age of 11 and adults are asked to wear face coverings in our indoor spaces.
We ask that groups visiting the site follow the systems in place and directions of staff.
Time in the lunchroom will be allocated during the visit, and belongings can be left in the space. Please keep to the time allocated, or you may use one of the spaces outside at any time for your lunch.
School bookings can only be made via the St Fagans Learning Admin team. Please do not book tickets via Eventbrite for schools.
The experience at St Fagans will be different from what is normally on offer; we cannot guarantee in advance which spaces or buildings will be open during your visit. On arrival to the Museum the learning team will be able to share what buildings and galleries are available on the day.
Once a booking has been made, you will be sent a written confirmation. Please check this carefully.
Charges for facilitated sessions
There is a charge for curriculum focused sessions led by Museum staff. There are four 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 35 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.
We 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 later than 10am on the day before a booking and groups that are late on the day and miss their session must still pay the full session price. If you cancel or amend your booking you may be charged a £25 admin fee. Please contact the learning team as early as possible if your circumstances change so that your place can be allocated to another group.
Please have the following information available when booking.
- Name of your school / organisation
- 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
- 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?
- Do you want to visit a special exhibition
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 groups of sixteen years or under must be supervised at all times.
Adult/child ratios:
- Under 7s – 1 teacher for every 5 children.
- Primary – 1 leader for every 10 children.
- Secondary – 1 leader for every 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 the site can be visited in a wheelchair, but access to some historic buildings may be difficult. The terrain is steep in places on the Castle side of the Museum and may prove difficult. A number of wheelchairs can be borrowed at the main entrance. During the summer months a land train runs from end of the site to the other at regular intervals.
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. We will need 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.
Food and drink
Under cover. There is an undercover eating area available. Twenty-minute slots are available for groups of up to one hundred and twenty at a time. These slots are allocated when booking, and can be allocated on arrival subject to availability.
Out-door. There are outdoor picnic areas available. Please ask a Museum Assistant for directions.
Restaurant & cafes. Contact the restaurant in advance to book food packs or for details of the school menu. Tel: (029) 2056 5157.
Yr Odyn
11.00am – 4.00pm
Gwalia Tea Rooms
11.00am – 4.00pm [Open weekends only Nov – Feb]
Castle Buttery
11.00am – 4.00pm [Open March – Oct only]
Toilets
The main toilet block is near the front entrance. There are other toilets near St Fagans Castle, the Oakdale Workmen’s Institute and Gwalia Green. Disabled toilet facilities can be found at the main entrance; Oakdale Workmen’s Institute and near Rhyd-y-Car Cottages.
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.
Space for Coats and Bags
There are lockers available for use in the Weston centre for learning.
Museum Shop
The shop sells a wide range of products such as small toys, books and postcards. Please help with supervision by ensuring that small numbers visit at any one time. To save time during your visit, you can contact the shop in advance on (029) 20 57 3412 to arrange for set-price goodie bags to be prepared for your group.
Museum guidelines
We ask that all children and young people under the age of 16 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 lead.
Smoking is not allowed in any of the buildings.
Preview Visits
These are available for teachers or group leaders wishing to familiarise themselves with the Museum. Please telephone to make arrangements before-hand if you wish to speak to a member of the Learning team on the day of your preview visit.
Craftsmen
Such as the blacksmith, miller, weaver and clog maker demonstrate their work to the public on certain days. If your group has an interest in a particular craft then you should check availability in advance by contacting the learning team.
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
Children separated from their group should inform a Museum Assistant if they are lost. The Museum Assistant will then locate and one of the group leaders.
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.