St Fagans National Museum of History

Saint Fagans National Museum of History is located close to Cardiff in South Wales. It is an open-air museum chronicling the historical lifestyle, culture and architecture of the Welsh people. The museum consists of more than 40 re-erected buildings from various locations in Wales. It is set in the grounds of St Fagans Castle which is a Grade 1 listed Elizabethan manor house. It had a £30-million revamp which was completed in 2018.

Buildings include a non-conformist chapel, a village schoolhouse, a toll road booth, a cockpit, a pigsty and a tannery. The museum features displays of traditional crafts with a working blacksmith forge, pottery, a weaver, a miller and a clog maker. There are also two working water mills, one for flour and one for wool.

Also on-site there is a small working farm that concentrates on preserving local Welsh native breeds of livestock. There is a row of worker’s cottages depicting furnishing from 1800 to 1985 and there’s even a post-war prefabricated bungalow that represents later domestic life. You can download activity sheets from their website to take around their grounds and gardens with you. The museum also has a new play area that has been inspired by the historic buildings. It’s a space for creative play, a space to jump, climb and swing.

Further Information St Fagans National Museum of History

Is there food and drink available?

There is a restaurant and a cafe serving hot and cold food and drinks. You are welcome to bring a picnic.

What are the main things to do?

An open-air museum chronicling the historical lifestyle, culture and architecture of the Welsh people with more than 40 buildings, gardens and a play area. There are toilets, a restaurant and a cafe.

What are the ticket prices?

The museum is free to enter.

Is there parking?

There is parking, but charges apply.

When are they open?

They are open every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The museum will also be open on Bank Holiday Mondays. For up-to-date opening times and dates please visit their website.