Press Releases

Official opening for Bwyty Bardi Café

Bwyty Bardi Café, St Fagans: National History Museum's new coffee shop, has been officially opened by Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales Director General, Michael Houlihan, at a special evening event on 6 July.

The coffee shop, situated at the front of St Fagans's main building, is already a great favourite with staff and visitors alike — all searching for that perfect cup of coffee. With its stylish Welsh-Italian theme, Bwyty Bardi Café is great for meeting friends before exploring the hundred-acre open-air museum on the outskirts of Cardiff.

The name was chosen to highlight the strong Welsh-Italian community that exists in south Wales. Many of the Italians who settled in Wales originally came from the Bardi area of the country, and the name has become synonymous with Italian communities in the south Wales Valleys. By calling the venue Bardi, St Fagans is recognising the contribution of these communities to Welsh life today and throughout the twentieth century.

Changes will be taking place over the next few months at the Vale Restaurant and the Gwalia Tearooms as well, with on-site caterers digbytrout Restaurants making improvements at both venues as part of Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales developments to improve the museum for all visitors.

One of the other developments at St Fagans over the past few months is a new gift shop, which opened its doors a few weeks ago. Stocking all types of gifts, textiles, clothing, jewellery, Welsh crafts and a wide range of books, it's the perfect place to find a gift for someone special.

Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales is supporting the History Matters - Pass It On celebrations, a joint project between Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales, Cadw, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the National Trust. For more details go to www.historymatterswales.org.uk.

Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales operates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales celebrates its centenary in 2007. For more details go to the 07pages.

Entry to all the national museums is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.