Although Wales is best known for its rolling landscapes and stunning scenery, museums and art galleries are also among the top things to do where you can learn about everything from the Welch Fusiliers to national legends such as Dylan Thomas.
So whether you're looking to expand your knowledge of Welsh culture or you just fancy doing something a bit different, I've put together this round-up of the 17 best museums to see in Wales, split into North and South Wales.
Best Museums in North Wales
1. Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum at Caernarfon Castle
The Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum in Caernarfon is one of my favourite museums in Wales, telling the fascinating story of the oldest infantry regiment in the world.
The Royal Welch has been around for over 300 years and the museum hosts a number of exhibits with models displaying the regiment uniforms and real-life stories of the men who served during the First World War.
A fascinating studio displays the 114 Victoria Crosses won by the regiment in the Medal Room along with an area including audio clips of famous writers who served with the Royal Welch.
With multiple floors to explore, I easily took over an hour exploring the museum and could have spent more if I had the time. The only downside is that it’s located inside Caernarfon Castle, so you’ll have to pay the full castle entry fee to visit (although it’s a great castle so perhaps not such a downside after all).
2. National Slate Museum
The Welsh slate industry is an integral part of Wales's history and heritage. Located at Dinorwig Quarry, the National Slate Museum offers the chance to dig deeper into the story of Welsh slate and learn about the lives of the quarrymen who worked there.
Victorian workshops are brought to life at the museum with live demonstrations of slate splitting and blacksmithing. You can also see how the chief engineer would have lived in a reconstruction of his house.
From time to time they also have workshops and talks from people who worked there, check the upcoming schedule here.
The museum is part of the Snowdonia Slate Trail. Enjoy the 83-mile track which is dedicated to the history of the slate industry in Snowdonia and features breathtaking views of the National Park. The Bethesda to Llanberis trail includes the Slate Museum along its route.
3. Anglesey Transport Museum
The perfect place for car enthusiasts, the Anglesey Transport Museum is home to over 60 classic cars and vehicles. Tacla Taid is the largest transport museum in Wales and features displays of motorbikes, static engines, and military and agricultural vehicles dating back to the 1920s. Some of the vehicles displayed at the museum have even featured in movies!
All situated on a replica 1940s cobbled street, the museum even hosts its own caravan site if you decide to stay for a holiday! While you’re there, don’t miss out on the delightful cafe that sells fresh, local produce and is surrounded by views of Snowdonia.
4. Airworld Museum, Caernarfon
The Airworld Museum has an impressive collection of aviation history. Situated on an old RAF airfield in Llandwrog, the museum features a large variety of vintage aircraft including a dedicated area to the history of the RAF mountain rescue.
This is a fun, hands-on museum with some of the aircraft accessible to climb inside and sit in the pilot's seat! On the grounds of the museum, you'll find a gift shop with all kinds of aviation toys and memorabilia and then enjoy a delicious treat at the cafe.
5. Beaumaris Gaol & Courthouse
Beaumaris Gaol was the main jail in Anglesey during the 1800s and has had various uses over the years. Today, the Gaol is a museum and one of the top attractions in Anglesey, showcasing what the life of a prisoner in those days would've been like. You can see the cells, the prayer rooms, the punishment cell, and the treadwheel where prisoners would be forced to walk.
On a similar theme, the Beaumaris Courthouse is the oldest in Britain and an interesting museum to learn about the kinds of crimes and punishments that took place all those years ago. You can see the original courtroom and even try on a judge's outfit.
Although these are separate attractions, I recommend visiting them both together as you can get a good deal with a combined ticket. They are within walking distance of one another.
Beaumaris has plenty of other attractions worth checking out too, including a huge castle! See my article on the best things to do in Beaumaris to find out more.
Best Museums in South Wales
1. National Museum Cardiff
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The National Museum Cardiff has a vast number of exhibits that appeal to everyone, no matter what your interests are. Hosting an impressive selection of natural history displays, dinosaur skeletons, and fossils, the museum takes you on a spectacular journey to uncover the history of Wales.
For those who love art, the art gallery at Museum Cardiff holds 500 years' worth of magnificent historic art as well as sculptures and ceramics from all over the world.
With a bunch of exciting temporary exhibits held throughout the year, there's no doubt that this museum is a must-see for your trip to Cardiff!
2. Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon
The Big Pit National Coal Museum is a museum set in a real coal mine in one of Wales’s many World Heritage Sites. The museum is focused on the mining industry in Wales and how it affected the lives of families during those years.
No doubt the most exciting part of the museum is the underground tour! Wearing the same equipment as the miners would have back then, the guided tour takes you 300 ft below ground to discover the workings of a mine such as the tram circuit, lamp room, and engine houses.
3. Royal Welch Museum, Brecon
The Royal Welsh Museum in Brecon boasts an impressive collection of over 33,000 objects which help you to learn about the stories of the regiments they represent and their role in some of the most renowned conflicts that took place in history.
I found this to be like a smaller version of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum in Caernarfon Castle mentioned earlier. It’s not as neatly presented, but the exhibits are just as impressive and the miniature models of key battles make it a must-visit museum, even if you’ve been to the one in Caernarfon.
4. Brecknock Museum, Brecon
Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery is home to an amazing variety of historic collections which delve into the history of Breconshire, a former county of Wales. Found in the cultural hub of Y Gaer in the town of Brecon, the museum contains an archaeological collection from the local area as well as a Victorian classroom and a courtroom.
You'll also find a natural history collection with industrial items and memorabilia from the last 150 years. With so much to see, I recommend allowing an hour and a half to explore this museum, which takes up over three floors of the building!
I would advise combining your trip to this museum with the Royal Welsh Museum mentioned earlier since they are both located close to one another. See my guide of things to do in Brecon town to discover other activities in the town too.
5. Firing Line: Cardiff Castle Museum
Showcasing a time when ordinary Welsh men travelled the world in military service, the Firing Line Museum commemorates the proud history of the Royal Welsh and The Queen's Dragoon Guards. The museum is situated inside Cardiff Castle and highlights the stories of the extraordinary men who served in these armed forces.
The museum includes hands-on dressing-up activities to bring history to life and features awesome displays of swords and weapons used by the regiments during world-renowned battles such as The Battle of Waterloo.
Like the Royal Fusiliers Museum in Caernarfon Castle, you'll have to pay the castle entry fee to see the exhibit but the wealth of incredible things to do inside makes it all worth it!
6. The Royal Mint Experience, Near Cardiff
Ever wondered how coins are made? Well, at The Royal Mint Experience, you can find out! This exhibition is a one-of-a-kind, unique experience to see the work that goes into making coins from the UK and all over the world. At the Royal Mint, you can learn about the long history behind the manufacturing of some of the rarest and most unique coins ever made.
The guided tour at the Royal Mint is one of South Wales's most popular attractions with interactive displays featuring coins of British monarchs from the last 1000 years.
Get a chance to see the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic medals that were specially crafted by the Royal Mint as well as other commemorative medals awarded to the bravest of soldiers. The highlight of the guided tour is being able to stamp and create a coin for yourself!
7. The Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea
Dylan Thomas was a famous Welsh poet and writer whose works are still renowned today. At the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea his life, work, and legacy are displayed through a host of various collections.
I loved how easy it was to follow this museum because the display centres around a giant timeline of Dylan's life. You can learn about everything from his early school days up to his later trips to America.
The centre is home to a large, permanent exhibition called 'Love of Words' which was created to celebrate Dylan's 100th birthday and displays unique archives with rare manuscripts, books, and artwork. I also enjoyed listening to some of his recordings that feature in the museum.
The centre is only open from Wednesday to Sunday between 10 am-4.30 pm but entry is free!
8. National Waterfront Museum, Swansea
The National Waterfront Museum is a fun, interactive museum that takes you on an adventure through the industrial revolution in Wales. The museum tells the story of over 300 years of industry and innovation in Wales along with a vast maritime heritage.
The museum features 15 themed galleries that display different aspects of Welsh history with large displays of industrial vehicles. Situated on the Swansea Marina, it's just a short walk to explore the rest of the city and Maritime Quarter.
9. St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
St Fagans National Museum of History is one of Wales's most popular attractions for showcasing the history and heritage of Wales. The museum is spread across the grounds of the majestic St Fagans Castle which is full of historic buildings such as a farm, a school, and traditional workshops.
The highlight of St Fagan's is the open-air museum, where you'll find buildings from different periods of time across Wales. Some have been taken from their original location and reconstructed here, whereas others, such as the Iron Age roundhouse shown above, have been built based on archaeological evidence. I especially loved the Derwen Bakehouse which sells traditional baked goods and the sweet shop selling vintage candy.
Inside, there are several exhibitions where you can find out more about the people that used to live in these buildings. The exhibits include clothing, machinery, and interactive displays.
10. Museum of Cardiff
Not to be confused with the National Museum Cardiff, the Museum of Cardiff is all about the history of Cardiff. A lot of the museum centres around the growth of Cardiff during the industrial revolution.
One of my favourite displays was a large model of Bute Town and Cardiff Bay as it would have been in the heyday of the docks. Important buildings light up and you can learn about them. As well as permanent displays, they have temporary displays, one-day events, and craft sessions.
The museum is free to visit and open every day from 10am-4pm.
11. Techniquest, Cardiff
Yet another museum in Cardiff (last one this time), Techniquest is the largest science discovery centre in Wales and has over 100 exhibits including a planetarium and a science theatre. Looking, at themes such as biomedical science, chemistry, space, the environment, and world issues, all the exhibits are interactive making science fun for everyone.
The museum is suitable for all ages including children, teenagers, and adults too. The museum has also hosted an 'After Hours' night just for adults when the doors are kept open until late so you can enjoy the exhibits with a fully-licensed bar thrown in for later!
12. Baked Bean Museum of Excellence, Port Talbot
Okay, so the final museum on my list is one of the more unusual things to do in Wales, the Baked Bean Museum of Excellence, which is an ode to one of my favourite foods; Heinz Baked Beans.
This quirky museum is hosted in the home of Captain Beany, formerly known as Barry Kirk who transformed his home into a large display of Baked Bean memorabilia. With antique and rare items on display, you'll find Baked Bean treasures from all over the world! The museum also displays Beany's numerous achievements for charity including the Haricot Hall of Fame.
Published: 13 February 2023 · Last updated: 23 August 2023