Carmarthenshire Museum
See fascinating exhibitions, hear the Carmarthenshire story, and experience the atmosphere of an Old Bishop's Palace.
The county museum tells the stories of people, power and protest across Carmarthenshire, from the arts and crafts they made to the tools and techniques they used.
Based in the 700-year-old former Palace for the Bishops of St David's, you'll find reminders of that history throughout your visit. From a peaceful Chapel to a dark Old Kitchen, you'll find plenty to enjoy at the Palace in a Park.
About us
Carmarthenshire Museum tells the stories of Carmarthenshire people from the modern age - with a sprinkling of ancient history here and there.
Permanent displays showcase Carmarthenshire history in themed galleries, beginning with Power, People and Protest, and continuing through to a Victorian School Room and Second World War Kitchen. The collections on display showcase everything from crafts and customs to farming and fine art.
For now, some of our objects are taking a break for a while, mainly from Carmarthenshire's distant past. They include some of our most significant objects, like our Prehistoric and Roman archaeology, and our Welsh Christian memorial stones. But, we're currently working on renovating two new galleries, which we hope will host some of these treasures in fabulous new exhibitions.
We also run an exciting special exhibition programme, where we display a mixture of objects on loan from national galleries and museums and some of the collections we care for, in a new context. Between 2022 and 2024, we hosted three beautiful paintings from the National Gallery in London, as part of the National Gallery Masterpiece Tour. Check out the Verrocchio exhibition below.
Gift Shop
Our gift shop offers a range of locally made products and souvenirs for all occasions that are designed to reflect the collections of the Museum. From the beautiful Welsh textiles of Melin Tregwynt, to the fragrant toiletries of Myddfai, we aim to source local and sustainable suppliers wherever possible.
The Old Bishop's Palace
You'll find the museum in a building that has a wealth of history stretching back over 700 years. The Old Bishop's Palace was the home of the Bishop of St David's since the 1540s, but much of what you see now dates from the early twentieth century. Some rooms remain much as they were when the bishops left in the 1970s, such as the atmospheric Chapel or the Old Kitchen, which give you a flavour of what life was like when it was a family home.
You'll find more about the history of the building and the bishops here.
Bishop's Park
The park around the museum building was once a private space for the Bishops of St David's and their families to relax. Now, it's the perfect space for all families to enjoy, whether you want a nice walk with the dog or a picnic on one of the many benches with views of the Tywi Valley. The Green Flag Award park was recently restored to its early nineteenth century appearance by the Tywi Gateway Trust, who are now working on a project to restore the Walled Garden, too.
Stacey's Kitchen
If you fancy a bite to eat or refreshing drink, then the cafe run by Stacey's Kitchen onsite is the place to go!
Serving cooked breakfasts, light lunches, and a range of snacks, drinks and inventive bakes, the cafe is accessible and always full of life. They also welcome dogs and have doggy ice cream too!
Opening Times
The Museum is free entry, but we recommend a £5 donation to help us continue to care for the collections and host more exciting activities and events.
March - October
Tuesdays to Sundays, 10-5
November - February
Tuesdays to Sundays, 10-4
School Holidays
March-October, every day, 10-5
November-February, every day, 10-4
Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day
Find us
Keys
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Abergwili SA31 2JG
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Felinfoel Road Llanelli SA15 2LJ
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Pendine SA33 4NY
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Kidwelly SA17 4LW
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Laugharne, SA33 4SD
Get here by Sustainable Travel
Bicycle
The Museum is easily accessible from Carmarthen and Llandeilo by bicycle.
From Llandeilo, follow the A40 for 11-12 miles, until reaching the petrol station at Whitemill. From here, cyclists can access the first stage of the Tywi Valley Cycle Path, which will eventually run all the way to Llandeilo. For now, cyclists can follow this stretch to the Park wall of the Museum grounds.
From Carmarthen, cyclists can follow the A484 to the Glangwili roundabout, from where thw Museum is signposted along Abergwili Road. Continue through Abergwili until reaching the turning to the Museum on the right at the eastern end of the village.
Bus
The nearest bus stop to the Museum is just outside the Park wall on the High Street of Abergwili village. There is also a bus stop at the other end of the High Street opposite Capel Ebeneser.
There are regular bus services every day from/to Carmarthen, Llandeilo, and Llandovery.
Megabus and National Express also operate from/to Carmarthen Bus Station, which connect a variety of places across the UK to the area.
View timetables here.
Train
The nearest train station to the Museum is in Carmarthen, about 2.5 miles away. Trains depart and arrive regularly from Cardiff, Swansea and Llanelli to the east, as well as Whitland and Tenby from the west.
The train station is less than 10 minutes' walk from the bus station. Proceed across the footbridge over the River Tywi, cross the A4242, then proceed directly ahead up Blue Street.
View train timetables here.
Get here by Car
There are parking spaces both inside and outside the Bishop's Park wall that can accommodate 60-70 vehicles.
Renovations
Please be aware that the car park is currently under renovation. This means that there will be times when access to the main car park will be restricted. Check the latest news on the car park renovations section of this page or call the Museum in advance if in any doubt.
From the East
For directions from Llandeilo and the east, simply follow the A40 until reaching the roundabout outside Abergwili. Brown signs indicate the entrance to the museum from the roundabout.
From Carmarthen
From Carmarthen, follow the A484 out of the town and then proceed along the Abergwili Road (Museum is signposted) from the Glangwili roundabout. Continue through Abergwili until you see the signposted entrance to the Museum on your right at the far end of the village.
From the West
From the west, follow the A40 from St Clears around Carmarthen, then along to the roundabout at the eastern end of Abergwili. The entrance to the Museum is signposted from here.
From the North
From the north, follow the A484 or A485 to Glangwili, from where the Museum is signposted from either roundabout.
From the South
From the south, follow the A48 from Cross Hands to Pensarn, then take the A40 east to Abergwili. The Museum is signposted from there.
Entrance
The main entrance to the Museum is on the west face of the building behind the cafe.
The easiest route is via a level pathway through the Jenkinson Garden opposite the main car park. Enter the Bishop's Park welcome centre, proceed through to the cafe, then out of the ramped exit at the back. The Museum entrance is straight ahead on the left.
The door opens automatically when the button on the pillar is pressed. Access is step-free.
Access
Find out more about how to get to Carmarthenshire Museum and what facilities we have available inside that enable everyone to enjoy their visit.
Quiet Times
The Museum is typically quieter upon opening on weekday mornings or after 3pm.
Weekends and school holidays are busier, with many excited families enjoying our activities.
Assistance Dogs
We welcome suitably trained assistance dogs. They must be under your control during your visit. Ideally they should remain on a lead and wear a relevant tabard or harness.
Non-assistance dogs can access the Park and the cafe only.
Facilities
Toilets
There are three sets of toilets in the Museum and two in the cafe. One of the Museum toilets is accessibility-friendly and also acts as a Changing Places toilet.
Getting around
The Museum is spread across two floors. There is lift access between floors and level access throughout the galleries. Some historic features of the building, such as Chapel stalls and narrow corridors, may limit accessibility in some areas.
Ear defenders
We have three sets of ear defenders for children that must be booked in advance by phone or email.
Portable Induction Loop Systems
We have a portable induction loop system that is available for use from the reception desk.
Education Visits
We can offer a range of self-led and bespoke visits to CofGâr museums across the county for schools, colleges, home education groups and others. We've crafted all our workshop sessions and materials to fit in perfectly with the new Curriculum for Wales.
We can also offer loan boxes and several tiers of membership to suit the needs of any education group.
Visit our learning pages for more information.
Group Visits
We love to welcome self-directed groups and coach parties. Combined with the Bishop's Park and cafe, we can ensure that you have a superb day out.
Please call or email us at least two weeks in advance of your visit so that we can manage visitor numbers effectively on the day. We're a big building, but we only have the small corridors and rooms of a family home!
Expanding our Car Park
We have good news to share!
From 19 August 2024 to mid-November 2024, we are expanding and improving our car parking facilities here at Carmarthenshire Museum.
However, this means you might find getting a parking space a little more tricky while the project works are in progress.
Find out what you need to know about the current parking situation before visiting us.
Our Car Park Project
Into the West: The Late Bronze Age Hoard from Llanddeusant
On a wet and rainy day in November 2019, Richard Trew was out metal-detecting with his friend in Llanddeusant Community, Carmarthenshire, when he made an incredible discovery. Buried a short distance below the ground surface were two pieces of a large bronze spearhead, lying flat with one piece on top of the other.
Dylan Thomas Boathouse
Discover the iconic home and Writing Shed of Dylan Thomas where the poet experienced a creative renaissance
Parc Howard Museum
Discover the heart of Llanelli with stories of the town’s industrial past as well as an extensive collection of the area’s famous pottery.
Museum of Land Speed
Discover this brand new, family friendly experience which tells the story of Pendine Sands and the iconic speed records that were set there.
Kidwelly Industrial Museum
Famed for its local castle, Kidwelly is also home to the oldest tinplate works in Europe. Currently closed to the public, you can follow news of development at this historic place here.