InfoBritain

 

National Museum Of Wales, Cardiff, Wales

The National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, has a collection of over seven and a half million items. These are used to produce varied and regularly changing displays on themed topics. When I visited there was a display exploring the geological origins of Wales. There were also extensive galleries displaying Welsh art and ceramics, as well as a wider collection of art. The Glanely Gallery allows access to a computer database containing details of the entire collection.

Museums in Britain have their roots in the eccentric collections of aristocrats, usually amassed on a Grand Tour of Europe. This kind of collection was the basis of the first national museum, the British Museum in Bloomsbury. These former aristocratic collections are also an important part of the collection at the National Museum of Wales. Art amassed by Sir Watkins Williams Wynn on a Grand Tour, is well represented, as is French art bequeathed to the museum by Margaret and Gwendoline Davies, granddaughters of industrialist David Davies. The Davies collection includes versions of Monet's Waterlillies, and Rouen Cathedral as well as work by Van Gogh, Cezanne and Renoir.

 

 

 

Directions: The museum is located in Cardiff's Civic Centre on Museum Avenue. Click here for an interactive road map centred on National Museum, Cardiff.

Opening Times: 10am - 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.

Address: National Museum Cardiff, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP

Access: Level access to the museum is to the left of the main entrance. Use the intercom button to summon assistance. Wheelchair access is then possible to all galleries. Adapted toilet facilities are provided.

Braille labels for all exhibits on the Highlights Tour are available at the information desk.

A hearing loop is provided in the Evolution of Wales Gallery.

Contact:

telephone: 029 2039 7951

web site: http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/cardiff/