Our Visit To National Museum Cardiff

Of all the museums to visit in Cardiff, our favourite is the National Museum Cardiff in the city centre and particularly the dinosaurs! It’s a great place to spend a slightly overcast bank holiday afternoon – and it’s free!

This particular museum is one of the National Museum of Wales’ portfolio which includes 7 museums across Wales including St. Fagans where we are also frequent visitors.

Double trouble about to land!

The imposing entrance to National Museum Cardiff

I used to visit when I was a child and just going through the door (in those days it still revolved) used to be exciting. The grandeur of the building never fails to disappoint. I still love the echoing hush and the coolness of the marble offering welcome shade on hot sunny days.

My grandfather, Henry Brooks, used to be a museum warden for Plymouth City Museum and I often wonder about his time guarding the antiquities there. A quiet and thoughtful man, Henry always had a kind word for everyone and was well loved there.

Spotted these cute little fellas in the gift shop.

We had to stop to inspect the crystals before our trip into the Natural History section. Caitlin is obsessed with crystals and jewels. She already has expensive tastes.

Caitlin exploring crystals

Ammonite Fossils – much better than the ones I found on The Knap Beach in Barry

Zinc-copper minerals

Mat and Caitlin inspecting the crystals

Impressively large crystals

After inspecting some mightily impressive crystals, we went on our quest to find the dinosaurs.

A prehistoric scene

A brontosaurus – I think!

The mighty T-Rex

What do you call a dinosaur with one eye?  A didyouthinkhesawus?  Oh please yourselves.

A Woolly Mammoth & Baby – Automated, much to Ieuan’s delight

Prehistoric Hyena

Moose skeleton

Woolly Mammoth skeleton

A Bison

What’s the difference between a buffalo and a bison?  You can wash your hands in a bison.  OK, think I’ll forget the jokes.

Caitlin & Ieuan

Dad & Son Bonding Time

After a good half hour in prehistoric times, it was time to retire to the coffee shop for a much needed refreshment break.

Ieuan – tired out

Caitlin in the cafe

National Museum of Wales, Cardiff – a great afternoon out. Further information can be found at www.museumwales.ac.uk/cardiff/.  The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday between 10 am and 5 pm.  (The Galleries close at 4:45 pm). The museum is closed on Mondays. Telephone 0300 111 2 333. There are lots of museums to visit in Cardiff but this one remains our favourite.  Have you ever visited National Museum Cardiff?