Bedwellty House Museum

About the museum

Bedwellty House began as a modest farmhouse. The ironmaster Samuel Homfray, of the Tredegar Iron Company, bought it and started to improve it in 1809, then rebuilt it extensively in 1818 as a Regency residence. It is now regarded as one of the best surviving ironmasters' houses in Gwent. The Homfray family lived here until the early 1850s, after which managers of the ironworks occupied the house.

In 1899 the town council set out to turn the grounds into a public park, and Lord Tredegar handed over the estate the following year. The park opened to the public in November 1900 and was formally opened in April 1901. The house became the offices of the local council, and its wood-panelled council chamber is where Aneurin Bevan is said to have developed his skill as a speaker. During the miners' strike of 1984-85 food parcels were handed out from the house, and the former drawing room, now called the Miners' Room, recalls that period.

A restoration project costing more than £5.5 million began in 2009 and brought the house and park back into full public use. Today both are managed by the charity Aneurin Leisure Trust on behalf of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. The house has no formal museum galleries. Instead, its historic rooms hold displays and are linked by a self-guided history trail that continues into the park.

Highlights

• Council Chamber associated with Aneurin Bevan, Michael Foot and Neil Kinnock
• Burma Shrine in the main foyer, with a casket of soil from Tredegar Hill
• Miners' Room recalling the food parcels handed out in the 1984-85 strike
• Self-guided history trail through the house and park
• Block of coal in the park, once intended for the 1851 Great Exhibition

Permanent exhibition

• Heritage rooms and history trail – Historic rooms including the Burma Shrine, the Miners' Room and the Council Chamber, joined by a trail telling the story of the house, its residents and the park.

Operated by

Aneurin Leisure Trust

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Only disabled parking is available on site. Assistance dogs are allowed in the house and tea room.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

The park has a children's play area and a sensory garden. Family activities include the Mini Movers music and movement class, storytelling workshops and a Christmas trail to Santa's grotto.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is on Morgan Street in the centre of Tredegar.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The Orchid House Tea Room serves afternoon tea and Sunday lunch, with booking advised, and has outdoor seating.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Spaces include the Assembly Room, the Miners' Room, the Carriage House, the courtyard and the bandstand, used for weddings, civil ceremonies, parties, business events and wakes.

Plan your visit