Welcome to Cyfarthfa Museum and Art Gallery
Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery is home to a fantastic collection of artifacts spanning 2,000 years of Merthyr’s history.
Enjoy the elegant surroundings of this interesting museum and once family home, set in beautiful parkland, on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
The museum is a testament to the spirit of the working man, Merthyr’s spirit and the story which makes Merthyr so important in history for Wales and Britain as a whole.
Entrance fees for Museum & Art Gallery:
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (16 & Over): Oedolion (16 a Throsodd): | £2.50 |
| Concessions: Consesiynau: | £2.00 |
| Under 16: Dan 16: | Free |
Opening Times:
| Day | Times |
|---|---|
| Monday | Dydd Llun | CLOSED | AR GAU |
| Tuesday | Dydd Mawrth | 10am - 4.30pm (Last Entry | Mynediad Olaf 4pm) |
| Wednesday | Dydd Mercher | 10am - 4.30pm (Last Entry | Mynediad Olaf 4pm) |
| Thursday | Dydd Iau | 10am - 4.30pm (Last Entry | Mynediad Olaf 4pm) |
| Friday | Dydd Gwener | 10am - 4.30pm (Last Entry | Mynediad Olaf 4pm) |
| Saturday | Dydd Sadwrn | 10am - 4.30pm (Last Entry | Mynediad Olaf 4pm) |
| Sunday | Dydd Sul | 10am - 4.30pm (Last Entry | Mynediad Olaf 4pm) |
Check out some of our collection videos below!
View all our art online at Art UK
Wellbeing Merthyr is a founder partner of Art UK. Art UK is a small charity working in partnership with 3,000 public collections, the BBC and other organisations to showcase the art the UK owns. Art UK already features over 200,000 oil paintings by some 38,000 artists. These artworks are in museums, universities, town halls, hospitals and other civic buildings across the United Kingdom. Most of this art is not on public view.
Visitors can access our collections online via the Art UK website
The Visible Sound Collection
This is the story of Mrs Watts-Hughes, a Dowlais born vocalist, who made the human voice visible and became the first woman to display a scientific instrument of her creation at the Royal Society in London. This is a collection of what she called ‘Voice Figures’ that are held at Cyfarthfa Castle.
The Southey Egyptian Collection
A brief look at an amazing collection of objects given to Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery by Harry Southey.
WWII Photographs of Idris Hancock
Cyfarthfa Castle has an amazing collection and as today marks the 75th Anniversary of VE Day we thought we would show you a collection of photographs. This is a collection of photographs that once belonged to Idris Hancock, who lived in Merthyr Tydfil and served with the Royal Army Service Corps in the Middle East.
About the Museum
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”.
The museum houses the first steam whistle, the first voting ballot box and dresses by Laura Ashley and Julien McDonald. The surroundings, Cyfarthfa Castle, home to William Crawshay II and family, serve as a reminder to the Ironmasters dominance over the town and the wealth the iron industry brought to the area.
At the Castle you can admire the extensive fine and decorative art collections. This includes Swansea, Nantgarw and Wedgwood porcelain and art by Penry Williams, the Welsh Turner, and George Frederick Harris.
Stroll through the atmospheric social and industrial history galleries which chart the rise of this once great ironmaking town. Learn about Richard Trevithick’s Penydarren Locomotive of 1804, the first locomotive to pull a load along rails.
Discover the roots of the Labour movement, from the Merthyr Rising of 1831, and the martyrdom of Dic Penderyn, to the first Labour MP – Keir Hardie.
Finally, see our curiosities from around the world including Ancient Egyptian grave goods.
Contact the Museum
If you have any questions or comments, please use the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Cyfarthfa Park Brecon Road, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8RE
Tel: +44 01685 727371
We welcome calls in Welsh
How to get to Cyfarthfa Park
You can download our visitor’s map so you can plan your day out at Cyfarthfa before you arrive!
Where We Are
SatNav Post Code: CF47 8PA
Cyfarthfa Park is located to the north of Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre on the A470. It is approximately a 20 minute walk from the Town Centre or there is a regular bus service.
From the bus station take the Pontsticill or Trefechan route to the park gates
Find Us By Road
From the south take the M4 motorway to junction 32 and travel north on the A470.
From the north follow the A470 from Brecon.
From the Midlands take the A465 from Abergavenny.
Follow the brown tourist signs.
Ample parking is available.
Museum Accessibility
Visiting Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery
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The main entrance is via the steps into the front of the building.
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All parking at Cyfarthfa Park is free.
Physical Mobility
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The entrance for wheelchair users and pushchairs is via the central courtyard. Press the intercom to call assistance.
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Blue Badge holders are able park within the central courtyard area or at the front of the building.
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There is wheelchair access to all galleries. Most galleries can be visited independently, but the lift to the basement galleries must be operated by a Museum Assistant for security reasons.
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A wheelchair is available in the basement. This is allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
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There is a variety of seating in all galleries.
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Please be aware that there are uneven floor levels throughout the basement galleries.
Hearing Impaired
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Most galleries and exhibits have a good standard of written material to support the collections.
Dogs
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Only assistance dogs are allowed into the Museum.
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Drinking water for assistance dogs is available on request.
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Dogs must leave the premises to relieve themselves and staff will assist in identifying a suitable area.
Facilities
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The Museum Shop and Tea Rooms are accessible to wheelchair users.
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Accessible toilets are situated in the Museum’s Reception area.
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Baby changing facilities are situated in the Disabled Toilets.