National Museum

With an array of artistic, historical and geological wonders to behold, as well plenty of special exhibitions and touring collections ready to grab your interest, a visit to the National Museum Cardiff will keep you busy for hours. Here are our top picks of the things you can discover on your visit.

Art collection
From the finest Impressionist paintings to the largest space for contemporary art in Wales, at the National Museum you find everyone from Renoir to Rodin, as well as modern artists Graham Sutherland and Richard Wilson.

Natural history galleries
Whether it’s the world’s largest Leatherback Turtle or a huge Humpback Whale skeleton, you’ll discover the diverse natural history of Wales on your trip from the seashore to mountain top in the national history galleries.

Evolution of Wales gallery
Take a journey through space and time in the Evolution of Wales gallery where you’ll find out about the Big Bang 4600 million years ago, discover how our modern landscape was shaped and come face to face with dinosaur skeletons and woolly mammoths.

Temporary exhibitions
The National Museum Cardiff has a regularly changing roster of exciting exhibitions which have either toured the country or been designed especially for the museum. Recent highlights have included Agatha Christie: A life in photographs and Dinosaur Babies, which included embryos, eggs and a huge 2.5 metre model dinosaur nest!

Facilities
With well over one million people passing through its doors each year, the National Museum Cardiff doesn’t just have lots of galleries and exhibitions ready for its visitors. Read about the facilities on offer and other important information here.

Important information
With well over one million people passing through its doors each year, the National Museum Cardiff doesn’t just have lots of galleries and exhibitions ready for its visitors. Read about the facilities on offer and other important information here.

Accessibility
The National Museum Cardiff prides itself on ensuring that all visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the artistic, historical and geological gems on display. For those with physical mobility issues there are designated parking bays for Blue Badge holders, wheelchair access to all galleries, and wheelchairs and mobile seating sticks are available on loan from the Information Desk. For those with hearing impairment, an Induction Loop is provided in most of the galleries and exhibits usually have a good standard of written material to support the collections. For those with visual impairment, assistance dogs are allowed on site, there is a touch trail available in the Natural History galleries and guided audio description tours are available.

Top Tip
If you want to find out more about the museum’s best loved exhibits, why not let the experts tell you more? Free tours of the National Museum’s top art and science discoveries are run every day with enthusiastic volunteer guides. The Highlights of Art guided tour starts at 12.30pm, while the Highlights of Science tour begins at 1.30pm. These tours can get busy

Eating and Drinking
Located right in the heart of the city, you’ll find plenty of food and drink options near the National Museum Cardiff. Don’t want to leave the National Museum Cardiff for lunch? You’ll find lots of delicious choices inside the museum. The Coffee Shop in the Main Hall is a great spot to enjoy home-made cakes and sandwiches as you take in the grandeur of the building.

For something more substantial head to Oriel Restaurant, on the lower ground floor of the museum. Serving hot and cold lunches, you’ll find a range of sandwiches and baguettes and home-made soup, as well as cakes and sweet treats.

Want to explore the eateries in the surrounding area? Try some gourmet dining in a grand gothic setting at Park House. Known for making perfect food and wine pairing, be sure to check out the wine recommendations. If you need to take a break from all that art or drink to the dinosaurs you’ve seen, you’ll find lots of bars and pubs nearby.

In the mood for cocktails? Go down into Park House’s basement and you’ll find the Vanilla Rooms. The award-winning mixologists of this stylish cocktail bar have over 100 different cocktails in their repertoire. If you’re looking for a more relaxed, casual atmosphere, take a trip to The Three Rivers for a good drink selection and some tasty food, as well as big screen sport and a pool table. If your taste is more for modern pub where they pour the perfect pint and have a great selection of ales, head over to the Royal George.

Near the National Museum
Situated in Cardiff’s elegant civic centre, there’s lots to see and do right on the doorstep of the National Museum Cardiff. Wander through Cathays Park and you can take in the picture postcard tree lined avenues, sit amongst the flower beds in Alexandra Gardens and look up at the grand Edwardian architecture, which includes the City Hall, Temple of Peace and a number of buildings which form part of the Cardiff University.

Built in 1906, Cardiff’s City Hall is at the heart of the centre with its dramatic entrance. Head inside and you’ll find a magnificent Marble Hall, decorative interiors and an impressive collection of art, as well as regular exhibitions and events.

Getting to the National Museum
The National Museum Cardiff can be found right in the centre of Cardiff and is easy to get to by car or public transport.

By car
The National’s visitor car park is situated behind the museum, just off Museum Avenue. You can purchase an exit token from the Museum Shop for £6.50. If  the car park is full, you’ll find plenty of car parking options nearby in the city centre.

By bus
If you’re heading to the museum from the city’s bus station, located next to Cardiff Central train station, you can hop on the 53 or 85 buses. If you’re coming from Cardiff Bay take the Bay Car bus number 6.

By train
The Museum is a 10-minute walk from both of Cardiff’s main stations. If you’re taking the Main South Wales to London line hop off at Cardiff Central. If you’re coming from the Valleys then choose Cardiff Queen Street station.