With a rich history dating back over 500 years, Aberglasney has inspired poets and hosted bishops. Thanks to the creation of a new Museum on site visitors to the Gardens in Carmarthenshire will soon be able to discover how former residents made their mark on the estate.
The artefacts in the Museum give a glimpse into the lives of those that called Aberglasney their home over the centuries. The collection includes items found during the archaeological dig in the 1990s as well as photographs, posters and furniture.
The new Museum will be officially opened on Saturday, 29 March 2025 by William Wilkins CBE. William oversaw the masterplan for restoring and recreating Aberglasney gardens and mansion in the 1990s and he was the first chair of the Aberglasney Restoration Trust.
The Aberglasney Restoration Trust are very grateful to volunteer, Carol Pugh, for all her hard work in putting the collections in the Museum together as well as assisting the staff with the interpretations. Carol is well known in the world of antiques together with her husband, Robert Pugh, who is one of Aberglasney’s Trustees. They are responsible for finding some of the Aberglasney items in antique auctions over the years. Carol will be on hand to show visitors around the Museum on the opening day.
Helen Scutt, Aberglasney Gardens’ Director, said, “Since the restoration, 26 years ago, the focus for visitors has been on the gardens here at Aberglasney for their unique and historic features. We sometimes can forget the rich history this whole site has. We are very grateful to Carol and the staff for creating this Museum for our visitors to enjoy.”
To celebrate the opening of the Museum a limited number of tickets are available for a full day of talks and an historic tour. Tickets are available online and are £20 per person.
The Museum opening day will start at 9am with registration and refreshments. Those attending can choose between an early morning or afternoon history tour. The Museum will be officially opened at 10.30am by William Wilkins CBE, as the founding Chairman of the Aberglasney Restoration Trust and Project Director of the restoration. At 11am Tom Lloyd, one of Aberglasney’s longest serving Trustees, will give an informative talk on Aberglasney’s rich history, alongside a public display of paintings by John Dyer. Lunch will be homemade Aberglasney Garden Soup made with ingredients from the Kitchen Garden, served with bread and Welsh cheese. In the afternoon William will give a fascinating insight into the restoration work carried out at Aberglasney.
