Museums, Haverfordwest

Set in the heart of the Gower Peninsula, the Centre is a visitor attraction and rural life museum based around a working 12th-century water-mill. Tea rooms, craft workshops, children's play areas, animal park, woollen mill & La Charrette cinema. Guided tours and Blacksmith demonstrations. Wide range of events held during the year. https://www.visitswanseabay.com/listings/gower-heritage-centre/

A broad spectrum of visual arts from the original bequest of Richard Glynn Vivian (1835-1910) which includes work by Old Masters as well as an international collection of porcelain and Swansea china. The 20th Century is also well represented with modern painting and sculpture by Hepworth, Nicholson, Nash alongside Welsh artists such as Ceri Richards, Gwen John and Augustus John. These are housed in the handsome classic Italian-style gallery building, and complement the exhibitions in the modern wing, which brings the work of today's artists alive with its sharp, contemporary overview of the arts. https://www.visitwales.com/product/1837460

At the National Waterfront Museum take in the sights and sounds of more than 300 years of Welsh industry and innovation. Using cutting-edge interactive technology, the Museum puts you in charge of the experience putting the past right at your fingertips. Located on the quayside of Swansea Marina - originally the South Dock of 1859 - the Museum stands in the former commercial heart of one of Wales's foremost industrial towns. Copper sheets made in Swansea once sheathed the hulls of the Royal Navy - to this day the term copper-bottomed implies quality and reliability! 15 themed galleries each tell a different aspect of this crucial period in Welsh history using a mix of touch screen technology and real objects, enabling visitors to be in charge of tracing their own experience of the fascinating - and still evolving - story of industrial Wales. https://www.visitwales.com/product/968712

South Wales Miners Museum in Afan Forest Park, Neath Port Talbot. http://tourismswanseabay.co.uk/swansea-tourism/south-wales-miners-museum

Big Pit won the Gulbenkian Prize for Museum of the Year in 2005 and is part of the Blaenafon Industrial Landscape World Heritage. http://www.visitcardiff.com/seedo/big-pit-national-coal-museum/

City Hall stands in the heart of Cardiff. It is the centrepiece of one of the world’s finest civic centres, an area of impressive civic buildings, landscaped gardens and broad tree- lined avenues. Opened in 1906, after Cardiff was given its Royal Charter as a city in 1905, City Hall is predominately a venue for conferences, exhibitions and events but is also open to visitors to the city. The impressive exterior of City Hall built in the English Renaissance style from Portland stone prepares the visitor for the highly decorative Edwardian interiors, including the magnificent Marble Hall lined by columns of Sienna marble mounted in bronze and the Council Chamber which has witnessed many passionate debates over the years. City Hall houses an extensive art collection, including ‘Winter’ by Joseph Farquharson, and is on display for visitors to see and enjoy. A booklet is available free of charge from the City Hall reception desk which gives full details of the collection. There is no charge for entry, but some of the rooms may not be available for viewing if they have been hired for a private function. https://www.visitcardiff.com/highlights/city-hall/

National Museum Cardiff is situated in the heart of Cardiff’s elegant civic centre and houses world-class art and natural history, including Wales’s national art, natural history and geology collections, as well as major touring and temporary exhibitions. If you want to stand and stare, there’s plenty to please your eye – from Impressionist paintings to gigantic dinosaurs. For exploring you can pick up a range of gallery trails to guide you around the Museum. With a busy programme of exhibitions and events, we have something to amaze everyone, whatever your interest – and admission is free! https://www.visitcardiff.com/highlights/national-museum/

Opened on St David’s Day 2006 by Queen Elizabeth II and renowned architect Lord Richard Rogers, the Senedd is situated in a prime position on the waterfront alongside the Pierhead, also belonging to the Parliament estate. It houses the Welsh Parliament for Wales’ Siambr (debating chamber) and Committee Rooms, all of which have a public gallery to allow members of the public free access inside to take an interest in the discussions that help shape their lives as well as hosting world-class exhibitions and events throughout the year. It is one of the most environmentally friendly Parliament buildings in the world making use of local Welsh materials including Llan Ffestiniog slate, Pembrokeshire oak and Port Talbot steel as well as using geothermal heating to keep the building heated in the colder months. The Senedd is completely transparent at public levels with a café and a shop on the upper level when once through security, the public can enjoy a nice cup of tea and a Welsh cake while looking at the literature and craft gifts available from all over Wales. https://www.visitcardiff.com/highlights/senedd/

A family home and a great estate. Glorious landscape garden surrounded by parkland with fine 18th-century house Would you give away your family home for your political beliefs? Sir Richard Acland did just that with his Killerton Estate when he gave it to the National Trust in 1944. Today, you'll find a friendly Georgian house set in 2,600 hectares (6,400 acres) of working farmland, woods, parkland, cottages and orchards. There's plenty of calm space in the glorious garden, beautiful year-round with rhododendrons, magnolias, champion trees and formal lawns. You can explore winding paths, climb an extinct volcano, discover an Iron Age hill fort and take in distant views towards Dartmoor. Off the beaten track, you can discover three of Killerton's hidden gems. Nestled by the River Clyst sits Clyston Mill, a working watermill. In the heart of Broadclyst you'll find Marker's, a medieval house steeped in history, and just a stone's throw away from Killerton House is a 1950's post office with a charming cottage garden. https://www.visitexeter.com/things-to-do/national-trust-killerton-house-and-gardens-p131423

A museum dedicated to the audience's experience of the moving image. Explore the visual culture from magic lanterns to Marilyn Monroe. The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum is an ACE Accredited public museum dedicated to our experience of the moving image. Visitors can explore popular visual culture through exhibits of toys, artefacts, images and memorabilia from the seventeenth century to the present day. It is home to one of the largest collections of material relating to the moving image in Britain. We are both an accredited public museum and an academic research facility and we hold a collection of over 75,000 items. Over 1,000 of our items are on display, and everyone is welcome to visit our galleries seven days a week (except bank holidays and between Christmas and New Year) and our research facilities are open to all each weekday. https://www.visitexeter.com/things-to-do/the-bill-douglas-cinema-museum-p136653

There’s more in Exeter’s award-winning museum than you might imagine, its 16 galleries of displays take visitors on a voyage of discovery from pre-history to the present day and from Exeter all around the world. https://www.visitexeter.com/things-to-do/royal-albert-memorial-museum-and-art-gallery-ramm-p265663

St Nicholas Priory is Exeter’s oldest building. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1087, the priory with its extensive grounds was dissolved and partly destroyed during the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. Turned into a rich merchant’s townhouse, the priory was linked to the woollen cloth trade and the busy life of commerce in the city. Turned into homes and later tenements, the city council rescued the building and made it accessible to the public as a living history museum. In the West Wing, visitors can now experience the Undercroft and Tudor Parlour, the medieval kitchen, the Great Hall and Tudor bed-chamber, and special exhibitions by Devon and Exeter Medical Society, who also have their home at the priory. The tranquil meeting room in the North Wing was rescued from near-dereliction in the 1990s by the trust, and now allows a close look at the fine 15th-century arch-braced timber roof. https://www.visitexeter.com/things-to-do/st-nicholas-priory-p2424573

Exeter's Underground Passages were built to house the pipes that brought clean drinking water into medieval Exeter. A guided tour of Exeter's Underground Passages is a memorable event - narrow, dark, interesting and exciting. Visit the heritage centre before your guided tour, packed with interactive exhibits and interpretation. These are the only passages of this kind open to the public in Britain! These tours are likely to fill up quickly and are also subject to change at short notice. Pre-booking is advisable and during school holidays is essential to avoid disappointment. https://www.visitexeter.com/things-to-do/exeters-underground-passages-p134013

The museum which is fully registered with the Museums and Galleries Commission features the history of the town and port of Topsham including shipbuilding and ship owning, and the wildlife of the Exe Estuary. It incorporates a late 17thC house furnished in period. https://www.visitexeter.com/things-to-do/topsham-museum-p137673

Step on board the most extraordinary time-machine. Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the world’s first great ocean liner, Bristol’s no.1 attraction and one of the UK’s top ten museums. The brainchild of our most famous honorary Bristolian, Isambard Kingdom Brunel; this iconic steam ship is the heart of a multi-award winning visitor attraction. Rescued from rust and wreckage in 1970, and since lovingly restored to her Victorian heyday, a visit to the SS Great Britain allows you to step back in time and explore true stories from the opulent First-Class to the cramped and quarrelsome Steerage. Each kitchen and cabin, dining room and doctor’s surgery emanates authentic sounds and smells which bring the ship and its history to life. So much more than a dusty old museum, this is a living and breathing, atmospheric experience. Step ‘underwater’ for a unique and magnificent view of the ship below the beautiful glass sea; investigate the Riggers’ Yard and the Great Western Dockyard, test your skills with interactive displays and choose from a selection of fascinating audio companions. With storytelling and games for children to in-depth historical research in Brunel’s Institute, there is something for everybody at Brunel’s ss Great Britain. https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/brunels-ss-great-britain-p25861

The Georgian House Museum is an 18th century, six storey townhouse just off Bristol's famous independent shopping area, Park Street. The house has been restored and decorated to its original glory, and is the perfect way to step back in time and imagine what life was like in this affluent area of the city hundreds of years ago. https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/the-georgian-house-museum-p26101

M Shed explores the city’s history from prehistoric times to the 21st century. Stories about the city and its people have been discovered through working with experts and communities across the city – a process that will continue for the life of the museum. Rich collections of objects, art and archives also play an important part in bringing those stories to life. https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/m-shed-p24311

Arnolfini is a centre for contemporary arts based on Bristol’s harbourside in the heart of the city. Founded in 1961, the organisation is dedicated to producing and presenting visual arts, performance, dance, film, music and events, underpinned by a commitment to a dynamic civic role in the city. https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/arnolfini-p23871

On Plymouth's historic Barbican, you'll find an ancient doorway to 32 New Street which takes you back in time to Drake's Plymouth. This beautiful house is being expertly restored for the Mayflower 400 anniversary and is set to be one of the key legacy projects for Britain’s Ocean City. The House was built just before 1600 on the street that was originally called Ragg Street due to links with the cloth trade. The house was home to merchants and businessmen who wanted to work and sleep by the bustling harbour. In the Victorian period, the House was a slum, housing up to 58 people at a time. 32 New Street was rescued from demolition in 1926 with support from the people of Plymouth and opened as a historic house museum in 1930. https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/things-to-do/elizabethan-house-p131323

The story of the Mayflower Pilgrims is an enduring tale of courage in the face of adversity. Though these early settlers of the New World play a significant role in America's past, they left their mark in Plymouth too. These early religious refugees, who sailed into Plymouth by chance, were only in port for a few days. Evidence of their stay can be found on the streets around the city and Mayflower is a familiar name heard by many. The Mayflower set sail for the New World in 1620. However, this epic journey begins some years earlier in the Midlands, in a small village called Scrooby. The gallery features a model of the Mayflower Ship built on a 1:11 inch scale by apprentices at Devonport Royal Dockyard for the 350th year anniversary of the Mayflower Pilgrims sailing from Plymouth. The model features 360 fathoms of rigging, 332 handmade blocks and six handmade sails totalling 64 square feet in area. https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/things-to-do/mayflower-museum-p928703

Re-opened at the old Music Hall in April 2014, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery tells the stories that make Shropshire unique through its’ amazing galleries: Roman Gallery, Shropshire Gallery, Medieval, Tudor and Stuart Galleries and the Special Exhibition Gallery. Come and explore millions of years of history through over one thousand remarkable objects in the extraordinary set of building that house Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery. From key Shropshire finds like the Roman tombstones and headstones and the Shropshire Mammoth to a fine geology and Tudor collection, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery intimately depicts local history using all senses. Since opening, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery has established itself as the perfect family museum and holds events and activities throughout the week that are ideal for children. Children and their families can take part in great activities like Mini-Mammoths to following the trail of Maximo Mouse through the museum – there’s always something in this family Museum for children to have fun and learn. https://originalshrewsbury.co.uk/visit/shrewsbury-museum-art-gallery

The castle stands at the top of a hill and was built as a defensive fortification for Shrewsbury, which was otherwise protected by the River Severn. Founded by Roger de Montgomery in 1074, the castle has undergone many transformations, the last one being by Thomas Telford who 'modernised' the building in the 18th century. Climb the walls of the castle for amazing views and some people watching from high above the town. The grounds are free to visit and perfect for picnics too. The Castle houses the spectacular collections of the Shropshire Regimental Museum Trust including pictures, uniforms, medals, weapons and other equipment from the 18th Century to the present day. One of the prize exhibits is the baton of the German Admiral Doenitz, captured by soldiers of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry at the very end of World War II. Doenitz had been nominated as Hitler's successor. There are also stories about the British burning down the White House in 1814. The displays include a brief history of the castle through the centuries. https://originalshrewsbury.co.uk/visit/shrewsbury-castle-soldiers-shropshire-museum

The current prison buildings are Victorian, built in 1868 but there has been a prison on that site since 1793. The prison was decommissioned by the Ministry of Justice in 2013 and is now open to the public as a tourist attraction offering a variety of tours including guided and self-guided The guided tours are led by ex-prison officers who showcase just what life was like, day and night, for prisoners, officers and visitors. During the two hours they shine a light on what really happened, from the Victorians to the 21st century, behind the high prison walls. Tours take in two wings (one is particularly haunted) the exercise yards, the segregation cells, healthcare and the execution room including the condemned man’s cell and the executioner's room. https://originalshrewsbury.co.uk/visit/shrewsbury-prison

Built in 1865 as a gracious Victorian home, Penlee House has been converted to create a first-class gallery and museum set within an attractive park. It specialises in showing the area’s unique, rich cultural heritage incorporating the historic collections of Penzance Town Council, Penwith District Council and Newlyn Art Gallery. Penlee House has a permanent collection of paintings which is actively being developed through purchases, gifts, bequests and long-term loans. Some of the best-known works include The Rain it Raineth Every Day by Norman Garstin, School is Out by Elizabeth Forbes, Among the Missing by Walter Langley and On Paul Hill by Stanhope Forbes. Please note that although each exhibition includes selected works from our collection, there is no permanent display and the galleries are often closed between exhibitions: please check what is on the show before making a special journey. Founded in 1839, the museum collections cover 6000 years of history in west Cornwall, from Penwith’s awe-inspiring archaeological sites to the area’s more recent social history, plus computer access to photographs of west Cornwall from the 1860s to the 1960s. https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/west-cornwall/penzance/penlee-house-gallery-and-museum

Apart from the amazing art and exciting exhibitions, there are many more reasons to spend time at the National Gallery of Ireland! A visit to the National Gallery of Ireland is free. Since 1854, when it opened its doors for the first time, the National Gallery of Ireland has always believed that the National Collection is the nation’s collection and as such is available for your pleasure almost all year round. https://www.nationalgallery.ie

Discover the fascinating history of Dublin at the Little Museum of Dublin in the company of friendly experts. From the visit of Queen Victoria to the global success of U2, this handsome museum is full of amazing things to discover. From James Joyce to John F Kennedy, you will meet some fantastic characters on our famous guided tours. No wonder the critics agree: “The Little Museum is a brilliant new addition to the cultural map of Ireland's capital.” If you want to know all about Dublin, visit the Little Museum today. https://www.visitdublin.com/see-do/details/the-little-museum-of-dublin#53.339601|-6.258328|13

Newlyn Art Gallery exists because of a long history of contemporary art-making in the far west of Cornwall and has celebrated contemporary art and supported the artists that produce it for more than 120 years. Newlyn Art Gallery continues to present contemporary work in all media by regional, national and international artists, with a changing programme of exhibitions and events. https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/west-cornwall/penzance/newlyn-art-gallery

Guinness is synonymous with Ireland and no visit to Dublin is complete without a trip to the Guinness Storehouse – the Home of Guinness. Located in the heart of the legendary St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin, this production site has been home to the Guinness Brewery since 1759, when Arthur Guinness signed a lease for 9,000 years. The Guinness Storehouse building dates back to 1904 and is built in the style of the Chicago School of Architecture. It was once the fermentation plant of the brewery and is now a seven-storey visitor experience dedicated to the history of the making of this world famous beer. The Guinness Storehouse is the Home of Guinness, where you will discover what goes into the making of each and every pint, and learn about the incredible brand history stretching over 250 years. https://www.visitdublin.com/see-do/details/guinness-storehouse

Collins Barracks in Dublin City could be said to be the National Museum of Ireland's largest artefact, having had a unique history all of its own in another life. https://www.visitdublin.com/see-do/details/national-museum-of-ireland-decorative-arts-and-history#53.348059|-6.285298|16

Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 as the new County Gaol for Dublin. It closed its doors in 1924. Today the building symbolises the tradition of militant and constitutional nationalism from the rebellion of 1798 to the Irish Civil War of 1922-23. Leaders of the rebellions of 1798, 1803, 1848,1867 and 1916 were detained and in some cases executed here. Many members of the Irish Republican movement during the Anglo-Irish War (1919-21) were also detained in Kilmainham Gaol, guarded by British troops. Names such as Henry Joy McCracken, Robert Emmet, Anne Devlin, Charles Stewart Parnell and the leaders of 1916 will always be associated with the building. It should not be forgotten however that, as a county gaol, Kilmainham held thousands of ordinary men, women and children. Their crimes ranged from petty offences such as stealing food to more serious crimes such as murder or rape. Convicts from many parts of Ireland were held here for long periods waiting to be transported to Australia. Kilmainham Gaol Museum is operated and managed by the Office of Public Works. http://kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie/#

Malahide Castle, set on 250 acres of park land in the pretty seaside town of Malahide,w as both a fortress and a private home for nearly 800 years and is an interesting mix of architectural styles. The Talbot family lived here from 1185 to 1973, when the last Talbot died. The house is furnished with beautiful period furniture together with an extensive collection of Irish portrait paintings, mainly from the National Gallery. The history of the Talbot family is recorded in the Great Hall, where portraits of generations of the family tell their own story of Ireland's stormy history. Many additions and alterations have been made to this romantic and beautiful structure, but the contours of the surrounding parklands have changed little in 800 years, retaining a sense of the past. A major feature of Malahide Castle Demesne is the beautiful Talbot Botanic Gardens. The gardens, as they exist today, were largely created by Lord Milo Talbot between 1948 and 1973. https://www.visitdublin.com/see-do/details/malahide-castle-and-gardens

Discover this hidden history at the award-winning Telegraph Museum, nestled in Porthcurno Valley, and leave feeling surprised and amazed. Explore new interactive exhibitions, live demonstrations and family-friendly activities that bring the communication story to life in a fun and engaging way no matter what your age. Explore the underground World War 2 tunnels and experience the sights and sounds of a working telegraph station. What’s more? After you’ve finished exploring the museum, enjoy a spot of lunch in the cafe, or grab yourself a treasure in the museum’s shop. https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/attractions/west-cornwall/lands-end/telegraph-museum-porthcurno

The Museum has a fabulous array of annual events and there is something for people of all ages. Aircraft and artefacts in the Museum collection are used to theme events that are educational and engaging, but above all are great fun! For families, there are lots of holiday activities for you to get hands-on and work together. For enthusiasts, the Conservation Centre Open Week is an absolute ‘must-see’ and the Open Cockpit Weekends allow people access to some of the aircraft. Popular annual favourites include the RAF Cosford Air Show and the Large Model Air Show. These events are held in June and July respectively on the airfield and admission charges apply. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford/