Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery

About

Cyfarthfa Castle is widely regarded as the best-preserved and grandest Ironmaster’s house in Wales. The building, which is Grade 1 listed, is of national, historical, and architectural significance and was built in 1825 for the Ironmaster, William Crawshay II.

After the Crawshay family vacated the castle in the late nineteenth century, it was converted into a museum and art gallery on the ground floor and a school on the upper floors. The school is no longer situated within the castle, but the museum and art gallery that first opened its doors in 1910, continues to this day and has often been described as a 'hidden gem' due to its spectacular art and eclectic social history collections.

The museum houses the first steam whistle, the first voting ballot box and dresses by Laura Ashley and Julien McDonald.  The surroundings, Cyfarthfa Castle, home to William Crawshay II and family, serve as a reminder to the Ironmasters dominance over the town and the wealth the iron industry brought to the area.

Visitors can see a variety of fine and decorative art as well as learn about Merthyr Tydfil's rich heritage from the Roman conquest to the Industrial Revolution and beyond.

There is also a yearly programme of walks, talks, workshops and exhibitions or visitors can explore the Museum at leisure and discover the varied history of Merthyr Tydfil, which is a testament to the spirit of the working man, Merthyr's spirit and the story which makes Merthyr so important in history for Wales and Britain as a whole.

The Castle is situated in 160 acres of parkland with formal gardens, a lake, children’s play area and a model railway with a tearoom offering delicious food, and an outdoor seating area, which is perfect for relaxing in the summer months.