October 2022
We've certainly been getting a taste of wild West Wales recently and rather than wrapping up to battle the elements, why not head indoors? Handily, the Welsh Museums Festival falls in October; it's almost as though you take your chances with the weather at this time of year!
The Festival encompasses two weeks of special events and activities, time to coincide with the English and Welsh half term holiday weeks. There are talks, crafts, and activities of all kinds and most are free of charge. Keep an eye on the Welsh Museums Festival's website, and find something you love!
What's Nearby?
1. The National Coracle Centre
A truly unique, gem of a place. Coracles are an ancient form of water transport used in Wales and also India, Vietnam, Iraq and America and the exhibition is fascinating. To add to the charm, the museum is set in the grounds of a 17th century flour mill and you can easily combine it with a walk around Cenarth Falls and a visit to the curio shops. Why not make a day of it, with lunch at the Three Horseshoes - their Ploughman's is worth the trip on its own!
2. Ty Twt Dolls House and Toy Museum
This gorgeous little place is a treasure trove of doll's houses and furnishings of every period from 1840 to the present day. Shops, theatres, soft toys, and mechanical games complete the collection.
3. National Wool Museum
Follow the process from fleece to fabric as you watch textiles in production at this commercial woollen mill. Take a look at the historic machinery, and learn about carding, spinning, and willowing. Check out their website for various events too, such as Christmas Afternoon Tea and The Big Museum Winter Train, both coming up in December.
4. Narberth Museum
There is always a variety of wonderful and informative exhibitions on display here. The permanent collection is comprised of the legend of the ancient tales of Mabinogion, including a scale model of the castle, train station with trains running, a woodland glade with interpretive panels telling the story of Mabinogion, and a storytelling chair where children can listen to welsh folk stories. There is also a programme of temporary exhibitions running throughout the year, and the building also houses an independent bookshop and coffee shop.
5. Welsh Spitfire Museum
Well worth a visit to support this small museum, where you will find aircraft and wartime items. They aim to restore vintage aircraft, the current project being an MK VIII Spitfire. Entry is free, donations welcome.
6. Carmarthenshire County Museum
It's worth visiting this gorgeous museum just to admire the building itself, the recently restored old palace of the Bishops of St Davids. A wander round the park and gardens surrounding the building is a joy, too; you could even take a picnic. Every year the National Gallery partners with a selection of museums to display a masterpiece, and in January 2023 it will be a Rembrandt, so head over.
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