St Fagans National History Museum

St Fagans National History Museum, also known as the Museum of Welsh Life (Amgueddfa Werin Cymru), is a unique open-air museum of the history of Wales.

One of Wales’s most popular heritage attractions, this distinctive museum tells the story of Welsh history through re-erected historic buildings, exploring the history of people’s everyday lives. In fact, the grounds of St Fagans National History Museum are home to over 40 original buildings from different historical periods which have been re-erected there.

History of St Fagans National History Museum

St Fagans National History Museum stands in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle and gardens, a late 16th-century manor house (refurbished in the 19th century) – donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of Plymouth in 1948. The rooms in the castle have been restored to reflect its history.

St Fagans Castle is a Grade 1 listed building and one of the finest Elizabethan manor houses in Wales, surrounded by beautiful garden displays which include an Italian Garden laid out in 1902.

St Fagans National History Museum today

Ranging from Iron Age circular Celtic houses to the medieval St Teilo’s Church to ironworker houses from the 19th century, walking through St Fagans National History Museum is like walking through a social, historical and architectural timeline.

What’s more, it is not just buildings which hark back to past times. Tools and items within these buildings paint an authentic picture of how they would once have been used and there are often tradesmen there practicing traditional activities and selling their wares. There are also several exhibits of artefacts and historic items, along with traditional festivals, music and dance events celebrated throughout the year.

St Fagans National Museum of History is open every day from 10am – 5pm and is free to enter.

Getting to St Fagans National History Museum

St Fagans National Museum of History is located 4 miles west of Cardiff City Centre, just off the A4232. If arriving by car you must purchase a car parking ticket in advance to gain access to the site (£6 per day / free for disabled badge holders and motorbikes).

The nearest rail station is Waungron Park, located 2 miles from St Fagans, next to the main bus route to St Fagans. Buses operate between Cardiff City and St Fagans National Museum of History including Easyway 32A (stops in the main car park of the museum), 320 and 321 which both stop at St Fagans village. From Cardiff city centre, the museum is approximately 25 minutes by bus.