Museums, archives and heritage in Glamorgan

Glamorgan, a maritime county of South Wales, bounded N. by Carmarthen, Brecknock, and Monmouth, E. by Monmouth and the estuary of the Severn, S. by the Bristol channel, and W. by Carmarthen and Carmarthen Bay; greatest length, N. and S., 28 m.; greatest breadth, E. and W., 48 miles; area, 516,959 acres, population 511,433. Glamorgan is, commercially, the most important county in Wales, chiefly owing to its great mineral resources, the fertility of its soil, and the extent and convenience of its seaboard. The surface of the county in the N. is mountainous; but towards the S. it becomes more level, especially in the fertile expanse known as the Vale of Glamorgan. It is watered by various rivers, of which the more important are the Taff, Taw, Neath, and Rhymney; all the streams flow S. to the Bristol Channel. Mining is the principal industry, the county having one of the largest coalfields in Britain, while its supply of ironstone and limestone is said to be inexhaustible. The soil yields abundant and excellent crops of the usual cereals, and large quantities of dairy produce are exported. Some of the largest ironworks in the world are in Glamorgan, notably those at Merthyr Tydfil and Dowlais; and the co. likewise contains very important copper, tin, and lead works. Glamorgan comprises 10 hundreds, 166 parsishes, the parliamentary and municipal borough of Swansea, the greater part of the parliamentary borough of Merthyr Tydfil, the Cardiff Boroughs (Cardiff, Cowbridge, and Llantrisaint), and the municipal boroughs of Aberavon, Cardiff, and Neath. It is mostly in the diocese of Llandaff.

– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)

[See also separate entry for Cardiff.]

Aberdulais Tin Works & Waterfall – National Trust

Aberdulais

Neath SA10 8EU

01639 636674

goo.gl/Gkj7Ss

Famous waterfall and fascinating industrial site with tin workers’ exhibition Set in a steep gorge, this place demonstrates the power of water and its impact on industry. Our film ‘Reflections on Tin’ traces its 400-year history, from 1584, including a visit by the famous artist JMW Turner. An early water-powered tin works was the last industry here. Today the waters of the River Dulais are used to make Aberdulais Falls self-sufficient in environmentally friendly energy.

Caerphilly Castle

Castle Street

Caerphilly CF83 1JD

02920 883143

www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/default.asp?id=6&PlaceID=39

One of the largest medieval fortresses in Britain, begun in 1268 by the Anglo-Norman marcher lord, Gilbert de Clare. Concentrically planned, the rings of stone and water defences are formidable even today.

Castell Coch

Tongwynlais CF15 7JS

02920 810101

www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/castell-coch

While resting on ancient foundations, Castell Coch (Red Castle) is relatively modern, the by-product of a vivid Victorian imagination, assisted by untold wealth. The ‘eccentric genius’ William Burges was given free rein by his paymaster, John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, the 3rd marquess of Bute, to create a High Gothic rural retreat to complement the opulence of his main residence, Cardiff Castle. Dazzling ceilings, over-the-top furnishings and furniture were liberally applied.

Cefn Coed Colliery Museum

Blaenant Colliery Site, Neath Road, Crynant

Neath SA10 8SN

01639 750556

goo.gl/W4PFgl

Located near the village of Crynant in the Dulais Valley five miles north of Neath, Cefn Coed Colliery Museum tells the story of coal mining at Cefn Coed pit, once the deepest anthracite coal mine in the world. Cefn Coed was one of the most dangerous coalmines in Wales, gaining the nickname ‘The Slaughterhouse’.

Cowbridge & District Museum

Town Hall Cells, Town Hall

Cowbridge CF71 7DD

01446 775139

cowbridgeguide.co.uk/museums/cowbridgemuseum

A former house of correction, this historic building still retains many interesting features. The Mayor’s Parlour contains the well which was used to supply male prisoners with water. The Council Chamber has a facsimile of the 1421 Charter, an oil painting of the Cowbridge Seal used from 1762 to 1887, a copy of the Grant of Arms of 1888 and boards listing past Mayors, Town Clerks and Honorary Freemen.

Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery

Brecon Road

Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8RE

01685 727371

goo.gl/RhQjdh

The ‘Ironmaster’ William Crawshay commissioned Cyfarthfa Castle in 1824. This grand castellated mansion overlooked his immensely successful ironworks and has been called, ‘the most impressive monument of the Industrial Iron Age in South Wales’. At the castle you can admire the extensive fine and decorative art collections, including Swansea, Nantgarw and Wedgwood porcelain.

Cynon Valley Museum & Gallery

Depot Road, Gadlys

Aberdare CF44 8DL

01685 886729

www.cvmg.co.uk

Cynon Valley Museum & Gallery opened in 2001 and is situated on the outskirts of Aberdare in the South Wales valleys. Developed with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, the museum and gallery are situated on the site of the 19th century Gadlys Ironworks. Discover two hundred years of the valley’s history – take an interactive journey through the ‘Footprints through Time’ gallery to see how the lives of the people of the Cynon Valley have changed.

Drenewydd Ironwork’s Cottage

No 26/27 Lower Row, Butetown

Rhymney NP2 5HQ

01443 412248

www.culture24.org.uk/mw235

The ironworks would have once been the most important industry in this area of Wales and, although it is no longer in service, the heritage that is associated with it, and the way that it shaped the community, is still of significant importance. This cottage shows the way that a typical worker would have once lived, close to the main works: a simple existence, and a fascinating insight into social history.

Dyffryn Gardens – National Trust

Dyffryn Gardens

St Nicholas CF5 6SU

02920 593328

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyffryn-gardens

Dyffryn Gardens are an exceptional example of Edwardian garden design, covering more than 55 acres featuring a stunning collection of intimate garden rooms, formal lawns and seasonal bedding. There is also a statuary collection, and an arboretum featuring trees from all over the world. Within the gardens, Dyffryn House, a grand Victorian mansion overlooks the key aspects of the gardens.

Egypt Centre

Swansea University, Singleton Park

Swansea SA2 8PP

01792 295960

www.egypt.swansea.ac.uk

The Egypt Centre houses an important collection of Egyptian antiquities. The museum, officially opened in September 1998, has a collection of over 3,000 Egyptian antiquities once owned by the manufacturing pharmacist Sir Henry Wellcome (1853-1936).

Gelligroes Mill

Gelligroes

Pont Llansraith NP2 2HY

01495 222322

goo.gl/YmJIzA

The Old Mill, Gelligroes was built in the 17th century and was once a favoured source of grain milling for the local crop farmers. The mill now has a radio museum and a candle-making workshop, which has a Royal Warrant to make candles for Prince Charles. The Mill is also home to the Arthur Moore Amateur Radio Society.

Glamorgan Archives

Clos Parc Morgannwg, Leckwith

Cardiff CF11 8AW

0292 0872200

www.glamarchives.gov.uk/

Glamorgan Archives collects, preserves and makes accessible documents relating to the geographical area it serves, as detailed in its collection policy, and maintains the corporate memory of its constituent authorities.

Glamorgan Family History Society

44 Hendrecafn Road, Penygraig

Rhondda CF40 1LL

01443 434547

www.glamfhs.org

Glamorgan Family History Society is not just for those whose roots are in Glamorgan. Many members live within the historic county, but equally, many live far beyond its boundaries.

Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust

Heathfield House

Swansea SA1 6EL

01792 655208

www.ggat.org.uk

GGAT is the Welsh Archaeological Trust covering the Welsh counties of Glamorgan and Gwent. We currently hold about 25,000 records of archaeological and historical interest and make this information available to all those who have an involvement in the past whether as researchers, developers, school children or farmers.

Gower Heritage Centre

Parkmill, Gower

Swansea SA3 2EH

01792 371206

www.gowerheritagecentre.co.uk

The centre is based around a historic 12th century water-powered corn and saw mill, with craft workshops, daily tours and demonstrations. It caters for individual visitors, school and group visits, with an extensive programme of special events throughout the year.

Collections: The centre has a large collection of rural crafts machinery from the 19th century.

Joseph Parry’s Cottage & Museum

4 Chapel Row, Georgetown

Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1BN

01685 383 704

goo.gl/D0NxEd

4 Chapel Row is a fine example of a typical ironworker’s cottage. Built in the 1820s for the workers of the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, the cottage was the birthplace in 1841 of Joseph Parry, Wales best known composer.

Llancaiach Fawr Manor

Plas Llancaiach Fawr, Nelson

Treharris CF46 6ER

01443 412248

www.caerphilly.gov.uk/llancaiachfawr

The peaceful, rural setting of Llancaiach Fawr Manor gives no clue to the turmoil of its early years nor to the exciting living history it now portrays. Built in 1530 for Dafydd ap Richard it was designed to be easily defended during the turbulent reigns of Tudor kings and queens. By the start of the Stuart dynasty the Prichards had prospered and the house was extended in 1628 to demonstrate their status.

Merthyr Tydfil Heritage Trust

Civic Centre, Castle Street

Merthyr Tydfil CF47 0DF

01685 725000

www.mtht.co.uk/HeritageTrusthomepage.html

Our mission: to preserve for the benefit of the residents of Merthyr Tydfil and of the nation at large whatever of the historical, architectural and constructional heritage may exist in and around Merthyr Tydfil in the form of buildings and artefacts.

Nantgarw China Works Museum

Tyla Gwyn

Nantgarw CF15 7TB

01443 841 703

www.nantgarwchinaworksmuseum.co.uk

The museum is housed in Nantgarw House where a collection of Nantgarw China is on display. While visiting the museum you can find out where this now world famous porcelain was made.

Pontypridd Museum & Art Gallery

Bridge Street

Pontypridd CF37 4PE

01443 490748

www.pontypriddmuseum.org.uk/en/home/about

Housed in a converted chapel built in 1861, the centre tells the story of the town and its people. A new audio-visual programme explains the origins of the chapels and traces the influence of Welsh Dissent at home and overseas.

Porthcawl Museum

Old Police Station, John Street

Porthcawl CF36 5DT

01656 782211

www.porthcawlandthegreatwar.com

Porthcawl Museum is located in the Old Police Station, which was used as a working police station from 1877 to its closure in 1974. Our collections include social, maritime and military history (particularly that of the 49th Recce Regiment, formed in Porthcawl in 1942), Victorian costumes and artefacts, railway history (of the DLPR, dating from 1825, and the GWR).

Rhondda Heritage Park

Lewis Merthyr Colliery, Coed Cae Road

Trehafod CF37 2NP

01443 682036

www.rhonddaheritagepark.com

The Rhondda Heritage Park based at the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery, Trehafod, is one of the top heritage and cultural visitor attractions in South Wales and provides a fun and interesting day out for individuals, groups, school children and students. The Black Gold Tour features a fully guided tour with ex-miner guides and involves multimedia presentations, a tour of the pit head buildings and a trip ‘underground’ to experience the life of a coal miner.

Royal Mint Museum

Llantrisant

Pontyclun CF72 8YT

www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk

The Royal Mint Museum’s aims are to advance the education of the public in the history of coins and medals, and the history of the Royal Mint.

South Wales Miners’ Museum

Afan Forest Park, Cynonville

Port Talbot SA13 3HG

01639 850564

www.south-wales-miners-museum.co.uk

Visit the museum and find yourself being taken on a historical journey back in time. The Museum portrays the working life of a miner and the hardship adults and children had to endure. The Museum is made up of both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Outdoor exhibits include a the Blacksmith Shop, Lamp Room and an Engine House.

South Wales Police Museum

Police Headquarters, Cowbridge Road

Bridgend CF31 3SU

01656 303 207

www.south-wales.police.uk/museum

We tell the story of policing in South Wales from the Celts right through to the present day and hold one of the largest collections of police memorabilia outside London. Virtual tour includes the Edwardian charge room and our resident inmate Isaac Martin in his cell. See a glimpse of some of the fascinating objects on display in their original setting.

Swansea Museum

Museum Square, Victoria Road, Maritime Quarter

Swansea SA1 1SN

01792 653763

www.swanseamuseum.co.uk

Swansea Museum is the oldest museum in Wales. The collections contain all kinds of objects from the past of Swansea, Wales and the rest of the world. We have everything from an Egyptian mummy to a Welsh Kitchen, displayed in six galleries.

West Glamorgan Archive Service

Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road

Swansea SA1 3SN

01792 636589

www.swansea.gov.uk/westglamorganarchives

We are a local authority archive service for the people of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.

Winding House

Cross Street

New Tredegar NP24 6EG

01443 822666

www.windinghouse.co.uk

The Winding House is the museum for Caerphilly County Borough. Inside the striking new building you can unearth the hidden history of Caerphilly County Borough, explore our latest exhibition, research your family’s past, take part in one of our many events, discover the Victorian Winding Engine, eat, drink and shop.