Press Releases

The indoors of St Fagans National Museum of History, National Museum Cardiff and National Waterfront Museum Swansea will all reopen on Wednesday 19 May and will be open every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with pre-booking.

Big Pit National Coal Museum will reopen on Thursday 20 May and will be open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with pre-booking. The underground tour will not be available at present.

The indoors of National Slate Museum, Llanberis will reopen on Thursday 20 May and will be open every Thursday - Monday in May and will revert to Wednesday – Sunday from June onwards.

The National Wool Museum and National Roman Legion Museum in Caerleon will also open on Thursday 20 May and will be open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday with pre-booking.

All seven museums will also be open on the Bank Holidays – Monday 31^st May and Monday 30 August 2021.

Some regular features or some areas of the Museums, will also not be available at present. Some of the historical buildings at sites such as St Fagans and National Slate Museum may not be open but there will be a brand new 360 degree experience of the interiors of some buildings for people to watch digitally.

All visitors must book their free visit in advance online or by telephone. 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. 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

In order to ensure the visitor experience is as safe and enjoyable as possible, Amgueddfa Cymru will continue with the range of covid measures which include managing visitor numbers on site with pre-booking, physical distancing signage throughout the public spaces, one-way systems and enhanced hygiene regimes.

Visitors to National Museum Cardiff will be able to visit the ninth edition of the critically acclaimed Artes Mundi exhibition and associated prize for the first time from Wednesday 19 May. The exhibition, in partnership with Chapter and g39, features work in a diverse range of media with six artists creating an occasion that speaks to an entwined set of histories and issues that continue to play out across our societies and communities, as much here in Wales as globally.

David Anderson, Director General of Amgueddfa Cymru, said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome visitors back to our national museums.

"We are re-opening once more with our full range of safety measures in place to ensure everyone can have a safe and enjoyable visit.

 “We’ve all faced unprecedented challenges over the past few months and although we’ve been closed we have continued to support many thousands of people in communities across Wales to engage with our national museums and collections.

“Our museums and collections will be an important resource for the nations healing and recovery in 2021 and beyond and I hope everyone will come back out to visit us and support us.”

From 17 May, Cadw sites will also re-open indoor areas of historic sites, plus, a further iconic heritage monument under its care will reopen for the first time: Conwy’s Plas Mawr Elizabethan Townhouse. South Wales’ fairytale castle, Castell Coch, will also re-open for the first time in the coming weeks.

World Heritage Site, Caernarfon Castle, will also be open for indoor visitors from Saturday 22^nd May.

At Caernarfon Castle, there is significant conservation work happening at the Kings Gate to improve long term access to site. Therefore, all visitors will receive a complementary guidebook, to compensate for any disruption. Access to the castle will now be through the grand Eagle Tower, rather than the site’s main King’s Gate entrance, which is currently out-of-access. Disabled access can be arranged at the time of booking.

To gain entry to all staffed Cadw sites, general visitors and Cadw members alike will need to reserve their time-allotted tickets at least 24 hours in advance of their visit, with tickets available now on the Cadw website cadw.gov.wales

ENDS

For further information please contact Lleucu Cooke, Communications Manager, Amgueddfa Cymru on 07961223567 or lleucu.cooke@amgueddfacymru.ac.uk

Notes to Editors: 

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 Museum Sleepover: The Natural World at Home or Lates: Pitch Black visit the website www.museum.wales