Industrial & heritage museums in Wales

Esgair Moel, a woollen mill, is one of the historic buildings reconstructed at St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff, Wales. Originally built in the early 18th century, the mill offers a glimpse into the past, showcasing the traditional methods of wool production. Visitors can explore the mill and learn about its history and the processes involved in wool production.

The Big Pit National Coal Museum is an industrial museum situated in Blaenavon, Torfaen, Wales. It was originally a coal mine that operated for a century from 1880 to 1980. The former mine was opened to the public in 1983 and now serves as a visitor mine, commemorating the significant coal mining history of Wales during the industrial revolution.

The National Slate Museum is situated in the scenic Padarn Country Park, Llanberis, Gwynedd. It is housed in the 19th-century workshops of the now disused Dinorwic quarry at Gilfach Ddu. This location provides a unique historical context for the museum, as it was once a bustling hub of the slate industry.

Chirk Castle is a Grade I listed castle situated in Chirk, Wrexham County Borough, Wales. The castle, which was built in 1295, is now owned and managed by the National Trust. It was part of King Edward I's chain of fortresses across the north of Wales and served as the administrative centre for the Marcher Lordship of Chirkland.

The Penrhyn Castle Railway Museum is a unique destination for those interested in industrial railway equipment. Located within the historic Penrhyn Castle near Bangor in Wales, the museum offers a fascinating insight into the history and development of industrial railways. Visitors can explore a variety of exhibits, including a range of narrow-gauge locomotives and other railway artifacts.

Visitors walk 200 metres of the 3,500 year old underground passageways leading to the Bronze Age Cavern. On display are a selection of Bronze Age bone, stone and metal tools found both in the mine and the North Wales area, as well as other items relating to the narrative of the site. Displays and v

The Royal Mint Museum, situated in Llantrisant, Wales, is a numismatics museum that showcases a collection of coins, medals, artwork, and minting equipment previously owned by the Royal Mint. This unique collection provides a fascinating insight into the history of money and the process of minting.

Blaenavon Ironworks is an industrial museum situated in the town of Blaenavon, in Wales. This historical site offers visitors a glimpse into the industrial past of the region, showcasing the significant role it played in the iron industry.

The National Waterfront Museum in Swansea is a significant part of Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales. It holds a prestigious position as an Anchor Point of ERIH, The European Route of Industrial Heritage. This status highlights the museum's importance in preserving and showcasing the industrial heritage of Europe.

Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall is a museum in Neath. The museum features exhibits related to: social history and science and technology.

The Holyhead Maritime Museum is situated in Holyhead, North Wales. It is housed in a building that is believed to be the oldest Lifeboat station in Wales, constructed around 1858. This historical setting adds a unique charm to the museum, making it a fascinating place to explore the maritime history of the region.

Welsh Highland Heritage Railway is a museum in Porthmadog. The museum features exhibits related to Land Transport.

Rhondda Heritage Park, situated in Trehafod, Rhondda, South Wales, serves as a window into the life of the coal mining community that thrived in the region until the 1980s. Visitors can gain a deep understanding of the miners' lifestyle, their work conditions, and the historical significance of coal mining in the area. The park is a testament to the rich industrial heritage of Rhondda and offers a unique opportunity to explore the past.

Educational exhibition centre demonstrating sustainable building techniques as well as renewable energy, energy efficiency, organic growing, water conservation and environmentally friendly sewage systems. The site buildings display a very wide range of sustainable building materials and techniques i

Greenfield Valley Museum & Heritage Park is a museum in Nr Holywell. The museum features exhibits related to: science and technology, archives and social history.

Mission Gallery, located in Swansea, is a contemporary visual and applied arts gallery. It hosts a variety of art forms including contemporary art, painting, installation, photography, and craft. This diverse range of exhibits offers visitors a chance to explore and appreciate different forms of artistic expression.

Scolton Manor is a Victorian country house and country park situated in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. It is located northeast of Haverfordwest and borders the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. This location offers visitors a chance to explore both the manor and the beautiful surrounding landscapes.

The Milford Haven Museum is a maritime and heritage museum located in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire. It was opened in 1991 and offers a deep dive into the maritime history of the town. The museum's exhibitions explore the fishing and oil industries that have shaped the area over the years.

Bedwellty House, located in the Sirhowy Valley in south-east Wales, is a Grade II-listed house and gardens. This historic site was built in the early 19th century and has been enlarged and restored over the years. It offers a unique glimpse into the past and is a significant part of the local heritage.

The Internal Fire Museum of Power, located in West Wales, is a unique museum dedicated to the preservation and display of internal combustion engines. This museum is a great destination for those interested in the history and mechanics of these engines, offering a comprehensive collection of larger stationary diesel engines, many of which have been restored to working order.

Usk Rural Life Museum is a museum in Usk, particularly focused on rural life across the years in our local area. We have exhibitions of rural trades from a bygone year as well as a cottage showing how we once lived. There are so many artefacts jammed into a little space you will be amazed! The m

Winding House is a museum in New Tredegar. The museum features exhibits related to: social history and industry.

Blaenavon World Heritage Centre is situated in the first school in Wales built (in 1816) by Ironmasters for their workers. Inside visitors will find interactive exhibitions telling the story of the Blaenavon World Heritage Site and its residents through history. There are exhibitions in the Gallery

Llanyrafon Farm is a museum in Cwmbran. The museum features exhibits related to Science and Technology and Social History.

Parkmill is a quaint village located in the Gower Peninsula, South Wales. It is situated approximately eight miles west of Swansea and about a mile from the north coast of the Bristol Channel. This location makes it an ideal spot for tourists who are interested in exploring the natural beauty of South Wales.

The Cefn Coed Colliery Museum, situated in Crynant near Neath in the South Wales Valleys, is a former coal mine that has been transformed into a museum. This location offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the history and heritage of coal mining in the region.

Nantgarw China Works Museum is a museum in Nantgarw. The museum features exhibits related to Decorative and Applied Art, Science and Technology and Archaeology.

The National Cycle Museum is a dedicated institution for cycling in the United Kingdom. It is located in Llandrindod Wells, Wales. The museum offers a comprehensive insight into the history and evolution of bicycles, making it a unique destination for cycling enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

The Menai Heritage Bridges Exhibition is a museum located in the Canolfan Thomas Telford Centre in Menai Bridge, Anglesey, Wales. This museum is dedicated to the two iconic bridges across the Menai Strait, namely the Menai Suspension Bridge and the Britannia Bridge. It also provides insights into the local and natural history of the Menai Strait and the surrounding area.

The Torfaen Museum, previously known as the Valley Inheritance Museum and Amgueddfa Pontypool Museum, is a significant cultural institution located in Pontypool, Torfaen, South Wales. This museum is a key destination for those interested in the rich history and heritage of the region.

The Museum tells the remarkable story of Robert Owen, born in Newtown (Powys) in 1771. A village boy who hobnobbed with royalty. A shop assistant who became a factory manager. An educator with little education. A rich man who fought for the poor. A capitalist who became the first "socialist". An ind

National Wool Museum is a museum in Llandysul. The museum features exhibits related to: social history, costume and textiles, industry and science and technology. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include: welsh woollen industry.

The Moelfre RNLI Seawatch has an Oakley Lifeboat inside the building and loads of history about the Moelfre Lifeboat and ship wrecks that are local to the village.

The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, located at the Tywyn Wharf station of the Talyllyn Railway in Tywyn, Gwynedd, Wales, is a dedicated museum for narrow-gauge railways. This purpose-built museum offers a unique insight into the history and development of narrow-gauge railways, making it an interesting destination for railway enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

Come along to the Cynon Valley Museum to discover the history of the people who worked and lived here. The museum also displays wall-mounted and 3D art in two temporary exhibition spaces, all produced by locally based artists. The Shop sells handmade homeware, art and gifts. Our cafe is open everyd

Newtown Textile Museum is located in an 1830s hand-loom weaving 'factory'. The building consisted of six back-to-back cottages on the lower floors and two large rooms which housed up to 22 handlooms on the top two floors. It gives visitors a chance to see how the handloom weavers of the mid-19th ce

The South Wales Miners' Museum is a significant representation of the coal mining industry and its workforce in the South Wales Coalfield. It is conveniently located at Cynonville within the Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre, near the quaint village of Cymmer in Neath Port Talbot. This location offers visitors a chance to explore the rich history of coal mining in the region while enjoying the natural beauty of the Afan Forest Park.

Penmaenmawr Museum takes you on a journey through the history of the landscape, the town and its people using stories and objects from the ancient past to the present. The museum spans two floors, with the main exhibition gallery situated on the ground floor and another exhibition room showing a rol

The Minera Lead Mines, once a bustling mining operation, have been transformed into a country park and tourist centre. Located in the quaint village of Minera, near Wrexham in Wrexham County Borough, Wales, the site offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty. Visitors can explore the remnants of the mining operation and enjoy the serene surroundings of the country park.

Haulfre Stables is a museum in Llangoed. The museum features exhibits related to Land Transport and Social History.

Gwefr Heb Wifrau - Wireless in Wales, a charitable trust, is a small radio museum with a difference. With its emphasis on the history of Broadcasting in Wales, the influence of broadcasting on our national identity and the contribution of the Welsh to the development of wireless technology it is un

About Museum Of Welsh Textiles... The Old School Whitton is a Museum Gallery and Teaching Centre, and home of the Museum of Welsh Textiles. The Museum Has access to an extensive collection of Welsh Woven Textiles, Blankets, Quilts and Costume, Each year we select a different part of the collection f

The Llywernog Mine, located in Llywernog, Ceredigion, Wales, is an 18th-century silver-lead mine that has been transformed into an industrial heritage museum and tourist attraction. This historical site offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the rich mining history of the region.

Rhyl Library Museum and Arts Centre is a museum in Rhyl. The museum features exhibits related to: land transport, maritime, medicine and social history.

Carmarthen's Town Museum and Gallery is located in Carmarthen Regional Library. The Library's listed facade once formed part of Furnace House, home to the Morgan dynasty of iron masters. The Library itself offers a range of services for library users. Carmarthen Town Museum features exhibits related

In the late 19th century, large-scale industry transformed the Amman Valley. Rich natural resources, especially the famous anthracite coal, brought coal mines, iron and tinplate works, railways and people to work them. The gallery pays tribute to one of its famous sons, Jim Grifftiths of Betws, min

The museum, located on the first floor of the public library, tells the story of Buckley's place as a major centre for the pottery and brick industries from medieval times through to the Twentieth Century. Visitors can see many of Buckley's finest wares on display and browse through the extensive lo