The capital of Wales, Cardiff is a vibrant hub of activity with many fascinating places to go and see. Amongst them are Cardiff’s renowned museums all offering different experiences and discoveries in science, history, and the city’s cultural heritage.
Let’s take a look at 6 museums in Cardiff that are well worth a visit.
1. National Museum Cardiff
National Museum Cardiff is a museum and art gallery showcasing a variety of exhibits for you to enjoy.
The Evolution of Wales galleries takes you on a fascinating journey through time to see how Wales has changed throughout the centuries. Travelling back in time to when the Earth was formed, the exhibit showcases a number of impressive dinosaur skeletons and fossils.
The Natural History exhibit displays some of the unique environments Wales experienced to become home to over 900 Sites of Scientific Interest. If you are an art lover, the National Museum Cardiff art gallery is said to hold one of the finest art collections in Europe with artwork covering 500 years
As if that wasn't enough, a wide variety of temporary exhibits feature at the museum all year round. All in all, the National Museum is one of the top things to do in Cardiff so make a note for your next trip.
2. Cardiff Story Museum
The Cardiff Museum is dedicated to telling the story of how Cardiff, the capital of Wales, was born. Housed inside the Old Library, it's not the biggest museum you’ll ever visit but you’ll find many intriguing displays that explore the city's history and heritage, all through the eyes of the people who created it.
The museum is home to a large collection of objects, letters, and photographs from both the past and the present. This collection displays the city’s cultural heritage through heartwarming stories and personal experiences from the residents of Cardiff.
On the lower floor, there are some excellent activities for children to enjoy with a selection of interactive games and challenges. Don’t miss the ‘Tiled Corridor’ which was the original entrance to the library and many people say it’s the highlight of their visit.
3. Techniquest
The largest in Wales, Techniquest is a fun and exciting science discovery centre in Cardiff Bay. With over 100 hands-on exhibits dedicated to making science accessible to people throughout the country. The centre includes a science theatre and a planetarium which showcase the very best programmes for learning more about science, technology, and astronomy.
Over recent years, Techniquest has introduced 50 brand-new exhibits that look at themes such as biomedical science, chemistry, space, the environment, and world issues. These exhibits are interactive using touch screens making the experience fun for children of all ages.
If you're looking for some different activities to do in Cardiff at night, The science centre also hosts an 'After Hours' night just for adults! The museum is kept open until late to enjoy the exhibits without the crowds and at the end of the tour you’re rewarded with a fully-licensed bar!
4. St Fagans
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 on the grounds of the majestic St Fagans Castle which is full of historic, traditional buildings to discover such as a farm, a school, and workshops.
St Fagans is also a Living Museum where you can experience what it would have been like to live in Wales hundreds of years ago. A variety of traditional buildings and workplaces are open for a snapshot of how people used to work and live. You can even enjoy delicious bread and cakes made at the traditional Derwen Bake House.
5. Firing Line: Cardiff Castle Museum
Celebrating the lives of Welsh soldiers, the Firing Line Museum celebrates the time when ordinary Welsh men travelled the world in military service. The museum is found inside Cardiff Castle and covers a 300-year period in the lives of Welsh soldiers.
The museum includes displays about famous battles such as The Battle of Waterloo and Rorke's Drift against the Zulus, featuring displays of military weapons and uniforms. One downside is that to see the museum you have to pay the entry fee for the castle however, the castle grounds are full of engaging attractions which are all included in your ticket.
Altogether the Firing Line museum is a must-see with many hands-on interactive and dressing-up attractions.
6. The Royal Mint Experience
My final recommended museum to visit in Cardiff isn't located in the city itself like the others here but is just a 20-minute journey so it's easy to visit by car or taxi.
The Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant is the only place in the world where you can see how coins for the UK are made. The interactive exhibition covers 1,100 years of coin minting and takes you on a journey to discover what goes into making each coin.
Many people recommend taking a guided tour to get the most out of the experience and learn about the history of The Royal Mint. The tour is split over six different zones with various collections hosting some of the rarest and most unique coins in British history.
If that wasn’t enough, the Royal Mint also produces commemorative medals with some Olympic and Paralympic medals on display. Without a doubt, the highlight of the tour is the opportunity to strike your own coin while you're there!
Other Museums in Cardiff
Those are the best museums in Cardiff, but they aren’t the only ones. There are many smaller, niche museums that will appeal to certain interests. I’ll list as many as I can here:
- Nantgarw China Works and Museum - A working porcelain factory celebrating the history of Nantgarw china.
ㅤ - World of Boats Cardiff Bay - A maritime museum showcasing a unique collection of historical boats from around the world.
ㅤ - Cosmeston Lakes Country Park & Medieval Village - A nature reserve and country park featuring a reconstructed Medieval village.
ㅤ - Norwegian Church Arts Centre - The oldest surviving church in Britain that currently houses an art centre and cafe.
Published: 26 January 2023 · Last updated: 23 August 2023