From fossil footprints to food festivals, National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans National Museum of History have announced a packed summer of events to keep families entertained over the school holidays and into September.
While visiting this summer, Amgueddfa Cymru is asking visitors to share their unique and authentic stories on social media using #MyStoryOfWales.
Highlights from the summer programme include:
- Lily’s Fossil Footprint, National Museum Cardiff (free) – see the 220 million year old dinosaur footprint discovered by 4-year old Lily at Bendricks Bay. The fossil footprint belongs to a currently unknown herbivorous dinosaur.
- Wales is…Olympics, St Fagans National Museum of History, until 2nd October 2021 (free) – discover iconic objects from Wales’ top Olympians and Paralympians in this new display to mark the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
- Becoming Richard Burton, National Museum Cardiff, until 3 October 2021 (free, tickets must be reserved in advance alongside general admission tickets to the Museum) – uncover the remarkable story of how Richard Jenkins, the boy from Pontrhydyfen and Tai-bach, Port Talbot, became Richard Burton, the international star of stage and screen.
- Summer of Fun, National Museum Cardiff (free) – series of free events between 7-28 August organised by young people for young people, including Sustainable Fashion & Upcycling workshops and a Dino-Draw Along Paeleoart Workshop (Tickets must booked from the museum website).
- Amgueddfa Cymru Food Festival, online (free with some ticketed events) – a week of virtual talks, courses, cookery demos, music and more from 6–12 September 2021.
The Museums are free to enter. However, all visitors need to pre- book a free ticket in advance at museum.wales. Visitors should also wear face coverings in indoor spaces and follow social distancing.
One person who has already shared his story of Wales is BBC presenter, Huw Stephens. He said: “I’ve been lucky to have visited National Museum Cardiff since I was a little boy. Seeing the dinosaurs there will stay with me for the rest of my life. More recently exhibitions by David Nash, Bedwyr Williams, Martin Parr and the international work in the Artes Mundi has always been an eye opener. And I’ll never forget the Silent Disco in the Museum’s main reception area; a strange and unforgettable experience.
“The museum belongs to everyone; it’s a brilliant day out no matter your age.”
Janice Lance, Director of Visitor Experience, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales said: “Our seven sites, including the National Museum Cardiff and St Fagan’s , offer an opportunity to experience culture and heritage first-hand, whether that’s seeing a full-size dinosaur skeleton, watching slate being split, going underground in a coal mine or experiencing a woollen mill in action. The museums offer rich cultural experiences that inspire visitors and we want to hear their stories this summer.
“Since reopening, it’s been incredible to see so many people safely visit our museums and be inspired by the collections and their experiences. Our museums remain free to enter. However, visitors entering the sites still need to book a free ticket in advance from our website and wear face coverings in all indoor spaces.”
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales is a family of seven museums and a collections centre, which are all free to enter thanks to the support of the Welsh Government. Together, it is home to the nation’s art, history and science collections, which will continue to grow so that they can be used and enjoyed by both present and future generations.
My Story of Wales has been funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development through the Welsh Government.
