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MUSEUMS/GALLERIES There is a
rich variety of Museums and Galleries in Swansea. Through
these you should gain an insight into the cultural,
artistic and industrial heritage of the area. Maritime
and Industrial Museum, Museum Square, Maritime
Quarter Swansea.
This exciting museum is a real must for the visitor, with
plenty for all the family to enjoy. It has Wales’
largest collection of vessels including a lightship; a
tramshed showing the Mumbles Railway; displays of
lorries, motorcycles and cars; a working 19th
Century woollen mill, exhibition space and museum shop
selling a good selection of gifts. Opening times: Tuesday
to Sunday, 10.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. Closed Mondays
(except Bank Holidays) (01792) 470371/650351. 25 minute
drive. Swansea
Museum, Maritime Quarter, Swansea. Founded in 1835
and housed in an elegant 19th Century building
it is the oldest museum in Wales. It has a treasure house
of foreign and local antiquities including an Egyptian
mummy, a reconstructed Welsh kitchen, Welsh costume,
displays of archeological finds, Swansea and Nantgarw
pottery, natural history and art. There is a changing
temporary exhibition. Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday,
10.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.; closed Mondays (exccept Bank
Holidays). (01792) 653763. 25 minute drive. Glynn
Vivian Art Gallery and Museum, Alexandra Road,
Swansea. Based on the Glyn Vivian bequest this gallery
was nominated the best museum of fine and applied art by
National Heritage in 1992. There is a permanent display
of 19the century painters., Tompion clocks, European,
oriental and local ceramics. There is an active workshop
programme and gallery shop selling books, prints
jewellery, and gifts. Opening times: Tuesday –
Sunday 10.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.; closed Mondays
(except Bank Holidays). (01792) 655006. 25 minute drive. Swansea
Arts Workshop, Gloucester Place, Swansea. An artist
run gallery featuring contemporary Welsh fine arts.
(01792) 652016 Ty Llen,
National Literature Centre, Swansea: exhibition
galleries, theatre and educational facilities. (01792)
463980. The
Attic Gallery, 61 Wind Street, Swansea: A leading
private gallery exhibiting established contemporary
artists (01792) 653387. Cefn
Coed Coal and Steam Centre, Blaenant Colliery, Neath (01639)
750556. 35 minute drive. Cefn
Coed Colliery Museum, Dulais Valley, Neath: surface
and equipment displays from the former colliery. Near
Crynant on A4109. Opening times seasonal (01639) 750556 South
Wales Miners Museum, Cynonville, Port Talbot. See
Afan Argoed Countryside Centre under Adventure
Playgrounds/Countryside Centres Kidwelly
Industrial Museum, Kidwelly, Nr Carmarthen: A unique
museum showing the production of tinplate. It is housed
on the site of the Kidwelly Tinplate Works, in operation
until 1941. In addition, there is a coal museum giving an
insight into the local coal industry. There are picnic
areas and adventure playgrounds for children.
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