Press Releases

Over 100 events and exhibitions will be on offer for the whole family from sleepovers, talks, walks, hunts and handling sessions to archaeologist digs, re-enactments, dressing up, tea parties and Halloween themed activities. 

Supporting the Festival is TV Presenter and Wildlife Expert Iolo Williams -

“I am delighted to be supporting the Welsh Museums Festival. As a four-year-old child, I remember staring in awe at the skeleton of a woolly mammoth and even now, I am amazed by the wealth of items held by our museums. With almost a hundred accredited museums all over the country caring for around 5.5 million items, no matter what your interests, there are treasures waiting to be discovered by the whole family.”

At the National Wool Museum in Dre-fach Felindre, visitors can enjoy a Model Rail Show (Sat 24 Oct) showcasing model rail layouts as well as a Thomas the Tank and Percy Track. There will be train-themed crafts and promotional stalls for visitors to browse throughout the day.

Other activities during the week include the ever-popular daily tours and trails where visitors can explore more generally the rich history of the Welsh woollen industry. They will see traditional machinery in full working order and have the chance to try out the Woolly Tale, a hands-on trail which explores all aspects of wool creation from carding to spinning to sewing.

The Art Cart will take place from Tues 27 to Sat 31 Oct and autumn’s Scrappy Sheep Club will get visitors in to the Halloween spirit with a hands-on workshop transforming paper plates into spooky webs complete with dangling spiders (Thurs 29-Sat 31 Oct).

Looking forward to the festival, Head of the National Wool Museum Ann Whittall said: “The festival is a great way to showcase what we have on offer here at the Museum from hands-on activities to exploring the spellbinding story of the Welsh woollen industry.

“This year’s festival also coincides with half term which is perfect timing, as lots of people will be out an about looking for fun things to do,” she added.

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, commented,

“We have some fantastic museums across Wales, filled with fascinating items that help tell the story of our past. They are a valuable resource in helping us to learn about and understand important historical events in a way that books alone cannot. The Welsh Museums Festival will give visitors more opportunities to discover and be inspired by the unique collections, and I am pleased to see a range of events being held both in and around Communities First areas, ensuring there are opportunities for all to participate in a range of exciting experiences.”

Rachel Silverson, President of The Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales added,

“We are thrilled to be involved in the Festival once again as it offers an opportunity for our members to promote their museums and to be proud of the work that they do. At a time when museums need support from their communities, we hope that more people will be amazed by all that Welsh museums have to offer. ”

Find out what events and exhibitions are taking place at the National Wool Museum visit http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/wool/

Editor’s Notes

For further information, interviews and images please contact: Marie Szymonski (029) 2057 3616.

Did you know?

4.27 million visits to Welsh museums in 2013

98 Accredited museums in Wales

96% of people were satisfied with the museum they visited (National Survey for Wales 2014-15)

84% visitors believe Welsh museums are friendly and welcoming places (Wales Visitor Survey 2013)

Local community groups use museum services 4843 times a year

2118 volunteers in Welsh museums

Swansea Museum and Cardiff Story won a UK-wide contemporary art competition in 2014

8 out of 10 tourists that visit a Welsh museum would recommend it to a friend or relative (Wales Visitor Survey 2013)

Museums in Wales care for approximately 5,500,000 items

Tywyn Narrow Gauge Railway Museum won ‘The National Railway Heritage Award 2013’

Judge’s Lodging won ‘Hidden Gem’ Award in Hudson’s Heritage Awards 2014

Half the museums in Wales provide free entry

Narberth Museum was shortlisted for Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2013

Winding House were awarded a ‘Special Commendation for Outstanding Contribution to their Local Community’ in the Kids in Museums’ Family Friendly Museum Award 2015

Swansea Museum is the oldest museum in Wales – founded in 1841

St Fagans is the most visited museum in Wales with 564,195 visitors last year