Trace Wales’ industrial history in one of Swansea’s top visitor attractions in the Maritime Quarter. The £33.5m National Waterfront Museum opened in 2005. Described as: “A museum for people who don’t do museums” the Museum is one of Wales’ major attractions, with real-life artefacts, archive footage, photographs, 2-D graphic panels and interactive computer displays.
With the Swansea Valley being one of the early hotspots of the industrial revolution, many exhibits are from the city, yet the museum also draws on people and stories from across the nation – covering every imaginable aspect of Wales’ industrial and social history.
The Waterfront Museum was designed to combine a Grade 2 listed warehouse, former home of the Swansea Maritime & Industrial Museum, with a brand-new building clad in glass and Welsh slate. A waterfront terrace overlooks the collection of historic ships in the dock. A glazed “street” links the two buildings.
Cutting edge interactive displays aim to encourage visitors of all ages to find out more with more than 100 audiovisual exhibits including 36 interactive displays.
For more information on the museum and to see what’s on at the musuem during your cottage holiday in Wales, please see the official National Waterfront Museum website.
Swansea Valley self catering holiday cottages are within easy reach of the National Waterfront Musem – an easy 20 minute drive. Head two miles downhill to Pontardawe and then follow signs to the city. The Museum is located in Swansea’s Maritime Quarter, and less than half a mile from the city centre. Look out for the brown museum signs. The entrance to the Museum’s large pay and display car park is a short walk from the Museum but there are dropping off/pick up points close to the entrance. For directions use the AA’s route planner alongwith the holiday cottage postcode, SA8 3JQ and the National Waterfront Museum’s postcode, SA1 3RD.
