Exciting programme of works to begin at Carmarthenshire Museum
CofGâr, the Carmarthenshire County Council museums and arts service, are delighted to announce that the first physical phase of an exciting programme of works to Carmarthenshire Museum will begin on 19 January 2026.
The project to redevelop three gallery spaces on the ground floor of the Museum is funded by the Welsh Government Priorities for Culture Grant scheme, through which CofGâr was successfully awarded over £196,000.
The funding will support a major transformation of the three galleries into vibrant new exhibition spaces, creating improved facilities for visitors. The full programme of works is scheduled to be completed by Easter 2026.
The project will result in more accessible, inclusive gallery spaces, showcasing a wide range of collections alongside engaging and interactive exhibits designed to enhance the visitor experience.
Key Details
What's Happening?
Three ground floor galleries in Carmarthenshire Museum are being redeveloped.
- Main Hall
- Bishop's Dining Room
- Discovery Gallery
When is it Happening?
19 January - 27 March 2026.
Please note that Carmarthenshire Museum will need to close to the public for a short time in early February while essential work takes place.
Why does it Matter?
These changes are driven by you. We've listened to your feedback and are making the galleries and displays more accessible, enjoyable, and family friendly.
The project will mean:
- More objects, more stories, and more to explore.
- Improved learning opportunities for schools and education groups, supporting the Curriculum for Wales.
- More welcoming spaces for communities to hire for events, meetings, and activities.
- Exhibitions that reflect a wider range of voices and stories that matter today.
- Better access to collections, with improved care and security behind the scenes.
What is Happening?
The project will bring new life to three ground floor spaces: the Main Hall, the Discovery Gallery, and the Bishop’s Dining Room.
Main Hall
The Main Hall is currently presented in a similar style to how it looked when the Bishops of St David's lived here.
We will transform the space to explore more of the history of the Old Bishop’s Palace, with a focus on the theme of commemoration.
Through monuments, burial practices, portraits, and carved stones, the gallery will encourage visitors to reflect on how people have been remembered over time — who has been remembered, and how changing values shape remembrance.
Family-friendly displays will offer an impressive and thoughtful start to your journey through Carmarthenshire’s story.
Discovery Gallery
Once home to geology and archaeology displays, the Discovery Gallery will become a true “museum within a museum”, showcasing objects from across Carmarthenshire’s history.
Regularly changing displays will explore themes such as sustainability, biodiversity, archaeology, and the county’s global connections.
Hands-on activities, comfortable seating, and opportunities to share your views will encourage visitors to spend time here and help shape future displays.
Bishop's Dining Room
The Bishop’s Dining Room was previously divided into three smaller exhibition spaces. This beautifully restored room will reopen with a brand new display: Create, Commission, Collect.
The exhibition will explore why people make art, why art is commissioned, and how the Museum’s art collection has grown over nearly 200 years.
It will celebrate local creativity, highlight overlooked artists, and reflect on how ideas about what is worth collecting have changed over time — while also acknowledging the room’s historic role within the Palace.
When will it happen?
Please be aware that the timeline below is subject to change and should be read as an indication only.
17 - 18 December 2025
Wooden blocks from the historic parquet floors in the Bishop's Library and in the Lift Corridor are removed for restoration.
19 January - 1 February 2026
Preparation work will take place ahead of the return of the refurbished wooden blocks.
2 - 13 February 2026
The Museum will close to the public for part of this period while essential flooring work is completed in the Main Hall, Bishop’s Library, and Lift Corridor.
14 - 22 February 2026 (Half-Term)
The Museum will reopen to the public as normal for half-term.
23 February - 27 March 2026
New exhibitions and displays will be installed in the Main Hall, Bishop's Dining Room, and Discovery Gallery.
Why does it Matter?
You said, we did
These exciting changes are shaped by your feedback. We’ve listened to your suggestions, read your comments in the visitor book and online, and reviewed survey responses. Together, they have helped us design galleries that will be more welcoming, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone.
A more welcoming and accessible museum
The redisplayed galleries will be easier to move around and more comfortable to spend time in. Improved layouts, lighting, seating, and clearer interpretation will help visitors explore at their own pace.
More stories, and more voices
The new displays will share a wider range of stories from Carmarthenshire’s past and present. Alongside well-known objects, you will discover overlooked people, everyday experiences, and connections to the wider world.
Clearer and more engaging interpretation
New text, graphics, and displays will make it easier to understand what you are seeing and why it matters. The galleries will ask thoughtful questions, encourage reflection, and support conversation — while remaining family-friendly and easy to follow.
Spaces that invite curiosity and discovery
The Discovery Gallery will offer regularly changing displays drawn from the Museum’s stored collections. Activities, seating, and quieter spaces will encourage you to look closely, take part, and share ideas for what should be explored next.
A better experience for families and learners
Child-friendly summaries, interactive elements, and activity areas will help younger visitors engage with the galleries. Schools, families, and lifelong learners will find spaces designed for exploration, creativity, and discussion.
Better care for the collections
Behind the scenes, improved lighting, environmental controls and display cases will help protect the Museum’s collections. This ensures that the objects can be enjoyed safely today and preserved for future generations.
A museum that continues to change and grow
These galleries are designed to be flexible. Displays can be updated and refreshed over time, allowing us to respond to new research, visitor feedback, and evolving ideas about which stories should be told.