Press Releases

Here’s what you can expect to see across Musuem Wales this St. David’s Day:
 

St Fagan’s National Museum of Life (CF5 6XB)
 

Where else in the world could you experience what life was like in Wales thousands of years before St. David was around and right up to modern day? On 1 March there will be traditional folk dancing around the site, and the farmer’s wife at Llwyn-yr-eos kitchen will be preparing for the spring. While visiting Llwyn-yr-eos farm, don’t forget to take in the outer buildings as lambing season gets underway.
 

If wandering through historical buildings isn’t your favourite hobby then fear not – why not take a walk around our galleries and immerse yourself in Wales’s musical history by experiencing a collection of harps and Eisteddfod chairs from Wales’s national collection all to the soft sound of live harp music.
 

Big Pit National Coal Museum (NP4 9XP)
 

In its heyday there were over 270,000 coal miners in the Welsh mines and you can get your own underground fix at Big Pit on 1 March. On 28 February and 1 March, the underground experience will be free for the weekend, with our experienced guides – many of whom worked as miners themselves - who can tell you what life underground was like. Take a walk through the pit head baths and other buildings and imagine what life would’ve been like for miners on St. David’s Day accompanied by live performances by local schools and artists, or hear from Big Pit’s curator Ceri Thompson who himself worked as a miner in the south Wales coal mines.
 

On our national day why not find out more about what Welsh heritage and doing the little things in life as St. David himself once said can improve your mental wellbeing and take part in activities that will alleviate stress with the beautiful Afon Llwyd valley as a backdrop.
 

National Waterfront Museum (SA1 3RD)
 

Did you know that maritime workers and dock labouring workers traditionally wore clogs due to them providing protection and comfort in damp and muddy conditions? Why not combine learning to clog dance and learning about some of Wales’s maritime history by visiting the National Waterfront Museum. Wander through the galleries or watch Tawerin as they showcase their folk dancing talent and invite us all to learn and dance with them in a good old fashioned Twmpath dawns.
 

National Museum Cardiff (CF10 3NP)
 

What better way to spend St. David’s Day if you’re in Cardiff than visiting National Museum Cardiff. Explore a once in a generation exhibition – Gwen John: Strange Beauties - featuring over 200 pieces of work by Haverfordwest-born artist Gwen John. After exploring the galleries why not visit the Evolution of Wales gallery and go on a 4,600 million year journey since the big bang to see some National Museum Cardiff favourites such as Bertie the Bison, Bryn the Tiger and of course our newest attraction in the main hall, mammoth Tom Bones.
 

End your visit in true Welsh style with a free gig organised by For Cardiff and listen to enchanting melodies of The Gentle Good.
 

National Wool Museum (SA44 5UP)
 

And the fun doesn’t end there. If you fancy a second fix of St. David’s Day celebrations, get yourself down to Drefach on 7 March. Hidden in the heart of West Wales is the National Wool Museum where you can see how our amazing crafts people use traditional weaving methods that were used at the mill when it was fully operational.  Why not treat yourself to a Welsh blanket made on site or by one of our neighbouring woollen mills and get that real Welsh connection to celebrate St. David’s. After making your way through the galleries why not join in the family fun with some story time and another opportunity to learn some clog dancing with multiple national clog dancing champion Tudur Phillips.
 

And after visiting all or any of our sites why not take advantage of our family friendly café’s and have a slice of Bara Brith or Welsh Cake before making your way home after seeing all the Welsh products available to buy in our gift shop.
 

Our public engagement is available thanks to the support of the players of People’s Postcode Lottery. More information on visiting our museums and our events programme is available on our website – museum.wales
 

ENDS