Work has begun on an exciting project to expand and improve parking at Carmarthenshire Museum at the Old Bishop’s Palace in Abergwili. The project will take place for around 12 weeks from 19 August 2024 until mid-November 2024 and will be carried out by Carmarthenshire company, TRJ.

 

Carmarthenshire Museum was set up in 1908, has been owned by Carmarthenshire County Council since 1940, and moved to its present home in 1978. Today it is managed by CofGâr, Carmarthenshire County Council’s museums and arts service. The nationally significant historic site is also home to Parc Yr Esgob and Stacey’s Kitchen.

 

The £330,000 scheme was one of 29 tourism projects throughout Wales to be awarded funding through the Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basics Fund. The total includes a £264,000 Brilliant Basics Fund grant and £66,000 is match funding from Carmarthenshire County Council. The Fund is open to local authorities and national park authorities to support projects that improve accessibility and those that make their destinations more environmentally sustainable.

 

Carmarthenshire Museum aims to build on a successful 2023, which saw record visits to the museum, by adding accessible parking spaces close to the museum entrance and improving the car park layout. Facilities to support people traveling by bicycle will be introduced, and interpretation will feature inspiring highlights from the museum collection on the visitor journey from the car park. A small museum garden at the front door will be created as a welcoming meeting and activity space with native planting inspired by themes from Carmarthenshire’s past.

What is happening?

Carmarthenshire Museum are undertaking an exciting project to redevelop our car parking facility.

 

Works will take place in the main visitor car park, the staff car park, and driveway along to the main museum entrance. We will also be upgrading lighting, signage, and re-landscaping the green space in front of the Museum entrance.

The outer car park is not included in the scheme.

The Museum, Bishop’s Park and Stacey’s Kitchen will all be open as usual throughout the period of works.

 

Included in the works are:

- New, accessible parking spaces closer to the Museum entrance.

- Existing parking areas and the driveway will be resurfaced and parking spaces will be clearly marked out.

- Designated crossing points will be marked out to enhance pedestrian safety.

- Pedestrian pathways will be resurfaced to improve access and safety.

- Lighting will be upgraded to improve visibility and safety.

- New signage and interpretation will enhance the sense of place and improve the visitor experience as soon as one arrives at the site.

- A new e-bike charging facility will be developed to encourage active travel.

 

- The green space in front of the Museum entrance will be relandscaped to create a gathering place that encourages
mindfulness and connects the Park more meaningfully with the
Museum collections.

 

How long will it last?

The project is scheduled to last around 12 weeks from 19 August 2024 until mid-November 2024.

It will take place in phases. Phase 1 will take place in the area from the Museum entrance to the small parking area adjacent to the Lodge. Phase 2 will encompass work to the listed wall between the small parking area and the main car park. Work will then take place in the main car
park.

 

How much does it cost?

The total project cost is £330,000. This is funded by a £264,000 grant by Visit Wales, as part of their Brilliant Basics Fund, and £66,000 is match funding from Carmarthenshire County Council.

 

What are the benefits?

The project allows us to:

- Expand parking options and improve safety for pedestrians and vehicles.

- Make the Museum and Park more accessible for a range of people with disabilities and additional needs.

 

- Improve the visitor experience with clear wayfinding signage and a beautiful new landscaped area in front of the Museum entrance.

 

- Enhance the natural and historic environment at the Museum entrance. The re-landscaped garden will enhance biodiversity and connect the outdoors to the indoors more meaningfully. We can also highlight some of the outdoor collection objects for the first time too!

 

- Encourage active travel to contribute to a greener and healthier Carmarthenshire. A bicycle storage space will be provided for the first time and there will be e-bike charging points. This will make using the Tywi Valley Cycle Path easier than ever.

 

Where can I park?

The initial phase will have very little impact on parking for most visitors. You should be able to park normally in the main car park and the outer park while work takes place on the Museum driveway.

 

Once work begins in the main car park, visitors must use the outer car park only. If you can, please consider using other means of travel to the site, such as bus services or cycling. Please do not park in the surrounding area of Abergwili without permission from residents.

 

We also kindly ask visitors who wish to use the Park only to consider visiting outside peak hours (10:30am - 2:30pm) to support the Museum and Stacey’s Kitchen and to ensure everyone visiting the site is able to access the facilities they need.

 

How can we access the Museum?

For the time being, visitors can access the Museum, Bishop’s Park Visitor Centre, and Stacey’s Kitchen in the same ways that they do now.

However, when the second phase of works begin in the main visitor car park, access may be more restricted. The following are recommendations for access only if the pedestrian pathway to the eastern side of the site (next to the outbuildings) becomes restricted for any reason.

 

Museum Visitors
We advise all visitors to the Museum to use the pathway to the east of the Museum from the main car park entrance. The path is directly behind the ‘Welcome’ interpretation board facing the car park.

 

Follow the pathway south towards the Great Meadow with the Museum building on your right. The path will turn westwards around the back of the Museum building towards the Walled Garden entrance. At the intersection, turn right and head north. You will see the main entrance to the Museum come into view ahead on your right.

 

Bishop’s Park Visitor Centre and Stacey’s Kitchen Visitors
Visitors to the Bishop’s Park Visitor Centre and Stacey’s Kitchen should use the pedestrian pathway to the left of the entrance to the main car park and follow the path to the ‘Welcome’ interpretation board facing the car park.

 

From here, visitors can proceed through the Jenkinson Garden facing the main car park and access the main entrance to the Bishop’s Park Visitor Centre. Proceed through the Visitor Centre to access Stacey’s Kitchen.