1. National Museum Cardiff

Filled with world-class art and fascinating Natural History. Found within Cardiff’s Civic Centre, the museum houses Wales’; National art, geology and natural history collections as well as major touring and temporary exhibitions. Renowned throughout Europe for being one of the oldest and most impressive collections of historical art in Europe. See sculptures, paintings and ceramics that date back over 500 years. The museum also hosts an amazing journey called “The Evolution of Wales”, which documents everything we know about Natural History – from the Big Bang to the dinosaurs and more… Over the course of a 4,600 million year journey.

2. St Fagans National Museum of History

Holding a special place in the hearts of the people of Wales, this museum explores the through people’s everyday lives. The museum has been Wales’ most popular heritage attraction for many years. It is located within the grounds of St Fagans Castle, a 16th Century Manor house. The grounds are one huge restoration project, since 1948 40 buildings have been re-erected within the 100-acre grounds, out of these buildings there have been houses, a farm, a schoolhouse, a chapel and a women’s institute.

During your visit to St Fagan’s, you will be able to not only read about but see the rich heritage of Wales and its people. St Fagans is home to lots of workshops in which craftsmen will be working throughout the day, their produce and merchandise will be able to purchase. Alongside this native, there is livestock in fields and farmyards surrounding St Fagans, where demonstrations of day to day farm activities are available to view daily.

3. National Roman Legion Museum

Explore life in a distant outpost of the Roman Empire, being the furthest empire of the massive Roman Empire. Uncover their lives as you observe exhibitions and artefacts that have been able to tell us how these great warriors of the past were able to conquer and control such a large empire. As well as how they lived, fought, prayed and died.

The museum prides itself on its award-winning facilities for education. Where children can properly experience being a Roman soldier, they can try on replica armour and explore a full-sized barracks. Only three permanent Roman fortresses were built in Roman Britain, Caerleon was one of these. The museum rests inside of what is left of the fortress, these ruins contain the only ruins of a Roman legions barracks on view in Europe as well as the (most complete) amphitheatre in Britain.

4. National Wool Museum

Dre-fach Felindre in the Teifi Valley earned the nickname of “The Huddersfield of Wales” from its thriving woollen industry. The village sold goods all over the surrounding countryside such as; Shirts, Shawls, Blankets, Bedcovers, Woolen Stockings, Socks. All of which were made right here at the Cambrian Mills, during your visit you will be able to see the wool industry firsthand from fleece to fabric.

The museum staff pride themselves on their friendly approach to learning and are always happy to answer any questions you may have, they can assist you as you try your hand at carding, spinning and sewing as you make your way down the “A Wooly Tale”.

5. National Slate Museum

The National Slate Museum is located in Llanberis, Caernarfon where they document and tell the fascinating story of the Welsh Slate Industry and the huge impact it had on Wales. At the museum, you can visit the past and uncover a way of life that has become engraved into the very life and soul of this country.

The museum is located just beneath the looming Elidir Mountain in the Victorian Workshops, in these workshops Talks and Demonstrations allow you a genuine insight into “quarry life”. From vast social unrest to everyday troubles, during your visit, you will dive into the lives of Welshmen who worked this quarry.

6. Big Pit National Coal Museum

One of Britain’s leading mining museums, The Big Pit, aptly named after the 300ft mine shaft in which miners would journey up and down every day. The museum boasts facilities that entertain all ages with a multimedia tour of the coal mine, featuring regular exhibitions in the Pithead Baths and virtual miners to show visitors what it was really like.

To top all that off, the museum also operates an underground tour which is world-famous. Stay calm as you descend into the Big Pit itself 300 feet under the surface and you experience first-hand life as one of the thousands of coal miners in the area. The museum is proud to be a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7. National Waterfront Museum

The National Waterfront Museum is a time capsule able to transport you to a place featuring Wales’ vast industrial and maritime heritage.

Immerse yourself in the interactive technology, traditional displays and heritage. Learn more about Transport, Materials and Networks contributed to the industrial history of this great nation – at the museum, the visitor is in charge.

Wales is a country filled with museums rich in heritage, history and technological innovations that will leave you speechless – be sure to visit some of them.

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