The best museums Wales

The Egypt Center boasts a fascinating collection of jewelry, statues and pottery from the age of the Pharaohs. The collection is complemented by a team of friendly volunteers who will let you touch some of the museum's pieces or show you how to make a mummy... Exciting! On Saturdays, the museum is run by young volunteers aged between 10 and 18. They're the ones who run the whole museum, from the cash desk to the gift store, and give you explanations about the display cases... Amazing!

The building was built as an extension of a former warehouse. Interactive audiovisual devices attractively present archives on the city's maritime past. Its large industrial port attracted a number of talents from fields as varied as crafts, engineering, medicine and the arts. We discover optical and navigational instruments, as well as old cameras and medical tools.

The oldest museum in Wales. A fascinating walk through the ages in six galleries, from geological to historical. Among the highlights are a fine collection of ^18th- and ^19th-century ceramics, objects from the Welsh countryside, paintings of the town and surrounding area, fish skeletons and an Egyptian mummy! There are also workshops (usually free of charge), film screenings, guided tours and temporary exhibitions. Check their website for all the latest news.

The museum opened its doors in 1878. It includes the social and maritime history of Pembrokeshire as well as information on the geology and archaeology of the region. Another gallery is dedicated to the works of Augustus Jones and his sister Gwen, painters of the early 20th century. Gwen pursued her painting career in Paris where she was also Rodin's model. She painted still lifes, self-portraits, in a style influenced by Parisian avant-garde movements.

This museum provides information on the activities of a former coal mine that closed in 1970. It is plunged into near darkness that we discover photographs and documents of the period, tools and objects related to the daily life of the mine staged in an original way. A tunnel has been built, in which one gets an idea of the working environment of the miners. From the visitor centre, circular walks through the forest start.

Celtic and old stone lovers cannot miss this museum, which is exclusively dedicated to them. It is located in a wing of the Cistercian abbey of Margam, built in 1147. There are engraved stones from the 6th century, pre-Christian sculptures and ornate crosses from the 10th and 11th centuries. There are also pieces from the medieval period, including the carved effigy of a knight. Attention, for visits from October to March, it is only on reservation on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The history of the inhabitants of the Torfaen Valley, in rural life completely around by the opening of mines, is told through an audiovisual device. Objects are exhibited: pieces produced by local industries and artisans, th and th-century ceramics, furniture. There are also a variety of rooms related to domestic life, education, recreation and transportation in the Victorian era. It is a real, friendly and very diverse people's museum.

This museum is dedicated to the history of the town. A series of watercolors depicts Chepstow's major architectural and technical developments. It also tells the story of transport, the construction of the bridge and the railroad. The history of the house, which was used as a hospital during the war, is also told, followed by that of the inhabitants, through an exhibition of everyday objects and accessories relating to work, leisure and fashion. Upstairs, paintings, engravings and drawings of the town from the ^18th and ^19th centuries.

This volunteer-managed museum is located next to the ruins of the castle built in the 11th century. It tells the story of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers, from the first militia established in 1539 to the creation of the regiment within the British regular army (of which it is now the main reserve regiment). This regiment acquired its first Royal and 1804 title and the second in 1877. Photos, illustrations, medals, weapons and military uniforms relating to various historical battles form the main part of the exhibition. Archaeological finds illustrate the early defences of Monmouth and a small section deals with Henry V, the winner of Azincourt (Agincourt in English), born in Monmouth Castle in 1387.

The museum houses an important collection of antiquities. One section is devoted to archaeology, tracing the passage of various peoples through these parts over the past 2,500 years. Artefacts from the Romans, Vikings and Normans can be found here.

The Natural History Museum has a highly developed geological section and a section devoted to zoology, with a fine taxonomic selection of seabirds.

Another gallery is devoted to the history of the town and its inhabitants during the industrial period. On display are domestic accessories from 200 years ago and documentation on the town's economic and social life. Of particular interest is the section devoted to the construction of the Transporter Bridge, with the engineer's original plans and impressive photographs of the building site, tracing the stages of its construction. The Transporter Bridge is a 197-meter-long, 74-meter-high metal bridge for pedestrians and vehicles. Opened on September 12, 1906, it was designed by French engineer Ferdinand Arnodin. It has been closed several times over long periods for renovation.

The museum takes great care to be as didactic as possible. A must-see if you're in Newport.

And don't forget to visit the Art Gallery, devoted to the visual arts: it boasts a fine collection of decorative ceramics, with some very colorful works!

This Norman fortress overlooking the city was one of the most important of the Abergavenny seigneury and was also used as a residence by the passing kings. In the 12th century, the castle had terrible stories of murder and treason. The castle, as we see it today, was essentially built between the 13th and 14th centuries, when it became the property of the Hastings. A museum is located inside the castle, where you can see a beautiful collection of objects.

It is the museum of the city's inhabitants, the one that pays tribute to them. Various objects related to life in the industrial site are displayed in display cases and photographs. The museum is named after the writer Alexander Cordell, whose book Le Viol de la Belle Contrée describes the troubled history of the village in the early days of the industrial revolution. He recounts the life of a family of miners fighting against poverty and social injustice

We cannot ignore Big Pit if we want to understand the country's past, the solidarity that came out of the mines and Britain's place in the industrial revolution. We start by going down into the mine itself where we stay for almost an hour. It's better not to be too claustrophobic to walk through these long tunnels! Then, to finish, we visit the huge block of collective showers and a permanent exhibition on the history of mines.

The Royal Welsh Regiment Museum explains the military life of the Brecon region, which still has an important garrison. Battle reconstructions and a film are dedicated to the Zulu War: a Welsh achievement as the 140 Welsh soldiers managed to defend themselves against 4,000 Zulu warriors! There is a vast collection of medals and firearms. Interesting enough to learn more about the history of the region.

Founded in 1928, the museum has recently been refurbished to become a vibrant cultural center in the heart of Brecknockshire. It houses a diverse collection of objects, artifacts and documents, offering a captivating insight into local history, archaeology, art and Welsh culture. Exhibits cover a vast period, from the region's earliest prehistoric inhabitants to key events and figures in more recent history.

In this particularly well reconstructed setting, we find ourselves in the midst of the ^15th century in the home of a wealthy merchant. Virtually intact, the Tudor Merchant's House houses three floors of Flemish fireplaces, period furniture and curios. A journey back in time! Don't hesitate to ask the very knowledgeable and competent staff. The museum is very well designed for children, with interactive games to keep them entertained! As with many museums, there's also a pretty souvenir store on site.

This handsome red-brick Gothic building was built in 1897. It became the administrative center of the Port of Cardiff in 1947. Since 2010, it has been a venue for events and conferences open to the public. It's also a museum, providing an insight into the history of the country and Cardiff Bay. From the golden age of its port, linked to iron ore and coal exports in the ^19th century, through the crises of the 1920s and 1950s, to the revival of the city since the 1980s.

A museum largely dedicated to the memory of Oratio Nelson, Admiral of the Royal Navy born in 1758 and who became a national hero following the Battle of Trafalgar (1815) where he lost his life. There is also a fine collection of engravings, paintings and drawings relating to the region, as well as a biography of Charles Stuart Rolls (1877-1910), co-founder of Rolls-Royce and who lived near Monmouth.

Immerse yourself in the history of Carmarthenshire at this small but comprehensive museum. You'll find many life-size reconstructions of life in the county at different times. Life in the mines, the first telephones, an early ^20th-century classroom - you'll find all these stories and more. For adults and children alike, this free museum is a great place to have a good time. The surrounding park is also well worth a visit, with a charming pond ideal for family walks.

In a sumptuous late 18th century manor house, the life of a provincial bourgeois family was staged. The rooms are beautifully furnished with the furniture, tapestries and accessories of yesteryear giving a very realistic picture of what a domestic interior looked like at the time. Certainly one of the most beautiful historic houses in the country. The impressive gardens, crossed by a canal, respect the style of the 18th century flowerbeds. Spectacular.

The Llangollen Museum is a collection of photographs and archives that teach about the history of the city. It contains, among other things, maps, period newspapers and handwritten documents that bring the region's past to life in bits and pieces. You can also discover the many fascinating legends around here, especially those relating to King Arthur, who seems to have passed through here. This people's museum, opened in 2002, also provides information on agricultural life, education and religious history. An exciting visit for young and old alike.

A 16th century Tudor-style mansion transformed into a museum, which offers a fabulous journey through time in a very playful way. Be aware that the place is haunted and that ghost watching sessions are organized there! Do not trust its peaceful landscape... which hides a history marked by war. According to legend, many ghosts lurk within the walls of the mansion, and paranormal phenomena such as the appearance of ghosts or smells of food spreading for no apparent reason.

Built in 1500, St. Winefride's Well is a well called "ffynnon" by the Welsh, and is said to cure a number of ailments, including insanity and cancer. You may come across a few pilgrims here: there are still some who make the pilgrimage, particularly on June 22, the feast of Saint Winefride. On the Sunday of that week, several thousand people parade through the streets behind a procession carrying a relic of the saint's bones. St. Winefride's Chapel is open to the public. Watch the video and find out more on the website.

Plas Newydd was the home of two Irish women, Eleanore Butler and Sarah Ponsonby. It was not customary in 1780 for two women to leave their families and countries in order to escape their destiny as "daughters of a good family" and settle together. We discover today the universe of these two aesthetes who surrounded themselves with beautiful objects. Large mirrors, carved dark wood fireplaces and sophisticated furniture give their homes a Gothic feel. Many poets and intellectuals came to visit the "demoiselles de Llangollen".

Copper Kingdom Centre is, as its name suggests, a built heritage centre on the harbour quay where copper, mined from Parys Mountain, was stored. Interactive exhibitions, audiovisual presentations... describe the history of the mine and the working conditions of the miners. It is easy to understand how Amlwch became one of the first industrial areas in Wales. The tour is accompanied by an audioguide to give you a better understanding of this part of Welsh culture. It's well done and very informative for young and old alike.

This museum is dedicated to the history of Cardiff, a small ^14th-century merchant town that became one of the world's largest ports in the 1900s. The first floor features a large exhibition with objects, interactive displays and a few paintings. In the basement, the museum section is more dedicated to children. The Old Library also houses a local crafts store and a café on the^1st floor. Regular temporary exhibitions enhance the visit. Don't hesitate to visit their website for more information.

The story of the inhabitants of the Torfaen Valley, whose rural life has been totally disrupted by the opening of the mines, is told to us through an audiovisual system. Objects are on display: pieces produced by local industries and craftsmen, 18th and 19th century ceramics, furniture... Many pieces related to domestic life, education, leisure and transportation during the Victorian era are also visible. It is a real people's museum, friendly and very heterogeneous.