St Fagans National Museum of History St Fagans National Museum of History, St Fagans, Cardiff CF5 6XB, UK

A walk around Wales - from Celtic times to the present day

St Fagans is one of Europe's leading open-air museums and Wales's most popular heritage attraction and admission is free! The museum stands in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle and gardens, a late 16th-century manor house donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of Plymouth in 1948. Since 1948 over forty original buildings from different historical periods have been re-erected in the 100-acre parkland, among them houses, a farm, a school, a chapel and a splendid Workmen's Institute.

Physical Mobility

• Dedicated parking spaces for disabled visitors are provided adjacent to the main entrance.
• Wheelchairs available on request, free of charge provided on a first come first served basis.
• Wheelchair access is possible to most parts of the site. However, due to the historic nature of some of the buildings, some access may be difficult.
• The terrain on the Castle side of the Museum is steep in places and may prove difficult for some wheelchair users and their helpers. A map clearly displaying a suggested path for wheelchair users, and identifying steep gradients, is available from the Main Entrance at a cost of 50p.
• Moveable ramps and a lift are available at the Oakdale Workmen's Institute.
• A motorised Disabled Tour Vehicle (DTV) is available to transport visitors around the site. The DTV can carry up to a maximum of five passengers. However, only two severely disabled people can be transported at any one time and, for Health & Safety compliance, they must be accompanied by one carer each. As a trained driver is required we request that bookings for this free service are made two weeks in advance by telephoning (029) 2057 3500.

Visually Impaired

• One of the pleasures of visiting St Fagans is experiencing the sounds and smells on such a varied site, from fresh bread being baked and wood fires burning to the sounds and smells of our farm animals.
• Most buildings are manned and in addition many crafts and demonstrations are displayed on site. Our staff will be happy to explain the techniques and skills involved.
• Some parts of the site may present orientation difficulties to visually impaired people, such as the stream and ponds. Advice can be sought at Information desk in the entrance hall before going out on site.
• Large print guide books are available free on loan. Please ask at the entrance.

Hearing Impaired

• All the buildings have information boards located outside them.

Changing Places Unit

• A 'Changing Places Unit' is available, which includes an electronic bed and hoist in addition to the toilet and other facilities there. A key is available on request from the Main Entrance Desk.

Dogs

• Dogs are welcomed on site provided they are kept on a lead.
• Assistance dogs for both visually and hearing impaired visitors are allowed into the buildings.
• Drinking water for dogs is available on request at the cafe, at Oakdale and the Castle.
• All dog owners are offered pooper-scoopers when entering the Museum and we appreciate your co-operation in keeping the Museum clean and safe.

Learning Difficulties

• The guidebook, which includes a site plan, presents the collection in a clearly and concisely with several pictures and diagrams.
• There are also large-scale site plans at key points around the Museum.

Facilities

• The food outlets, Y Gegin, Y Gweithdy and the Castle Buttery are accessible to wheelchair users.
• Accessible toilets are available at the Main Entrance, adjacent to the Rhyd-y-car cottages and in the Castle Yard.
• Baby changing facilities are available near the Main Entrance.

If you have any access requirements - physical, sensory or regarding the presentation of information - please ask at the Reception Desk.