Press Releases
Phased reopening of national museums across Wales
Date:
2020-07-27Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales is pleased to announce that it will begin a phased reopening of its museums to the public starting with the outdoor grounds of St Fagans National Museum of History, the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2019, from Tuesday 4 August.
All visitors must book their free visit in advance, online. This is to manage visitor numbers and ensure the safety of visitors, staff, volunteers and local communities. Visitors are also asked to wear face coverings when they visit for the wellbeing of staff and visitors.
St Fagans National Museum of History (outdoors only) is the first of the seven national museums to reopen on Tuesday 4 August and will be open every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday with pre-booking. The historical buildings and galleries at St Fagans will remain closed at present due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
All other museums will be opening with pre-booking and limited days on these dates:
National Slate Museum – Sunday 23 August
National Museum Cardiff – Thursday 27 August
National Waterfront Museum – Friday 28 August
Big Pit National Coal Museum – Tuesday 1 September
National Roman Legion Museum - Wednesday 2 September
National Wool Museum – Thursday 3 September
In order to ensure the visitor experience is as safe and enjoyable as possible, Amgueddfa Cymru has introduced a range of new measures. These include managing visitor numbers on site with pre-booking, physical distancing signage throughout the public spaces, one-way systems and enhanced hygiene regimes.
Visitors can follow Amgueddfa Cymru’s social media or website for details about how to book and what to expect on their visit www.museum.wales.
Amgueddfa Cymru has been supporting local business to source PPE and hygiene equipment during Covid. Sanitiser stations and gels have been sourced from Chemsol Cymru in Conwy whilst the PPE face visors for staff have been sourced from DMM Climbing in Llanberis.
David Anderson, Director General of Amgueddfa Cymru, said: “We’re all looking forward to welcoming our visitors back to our national museums. Although our buildings were closed, we have been open online over the last four months, providing learning resources for schools, art to field hospitals, and solace and inspiration for everyone. Museums play a key role in the health and wellbeing of people and communities and I hope everyone will come back out to visit us and support us.
“Our main priority remains that everyone stays safe and we will be following Welsh Government guidelines and continue to monitor the situation over the weeks ahead.
“We are encouraging visitors to go to the website museum.wales to find out more about the new measures in place and also to enjoy the resources online and on our digital platforms.
“During the closures we have had a fantastic response to our ‘Collecting Covid’ project asking the people of Wales to be part of the story by sharing their experiences and feelings of living in Wales during pandemic. This will form an important record for future generations.”
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales is a family of seven museums and a collections centre, which are all free to enter thanks to the support of the Welsh Government. Together, it is home to the nation’s art, history and science collections, which will continue to grow so that they can be used and enjoyed by both present and future generations.
One of its museums, St Fagans National Museum of History which explores the history and culture of Wales, won the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2019.
As a registered charity, Amgueddfa Cymru is grateful for all support.
The events and exhibitions programme is supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
During this period a number of Amgueddfa’s popular events can be enjoyed from home online. Find out more about the Amgueddfa Cymru digital food festival and Museum Sleepover: Dino Nights! At Home! On the website www.museum.wales
ENDS