y Gaer Museum

About the museum

The Brecknock Museum was founded in 1928 in an old chapel on Glamorgan Street in Brecon. In 1974 it moved into the former Shire Hall, a neoclassical building completed in 1843 that had housed the county courts and, later, council meetings. The hall is listed Grade II* and still contains its Victorian court room.

Between 2016 and 2019 the site was rebuilt as a cultural centre called y Gaer, the Welsh word for fortress, recalling the nearby Roman fort. A new building with a glass atrium was linked to the old Shire Hall and now holds Brecon Library, an art gallery, education and community rooms and a café. The works were completed in December 2019, and the museum is run by Powys County Council as one of its heritage venues.

The collections cover the archaeology, art and local history of Brecknockshire and the south of Powys. Well-known objects include the Llan-gors logboat, the Llywel Stone, an early Christian cross from Maesmynys and the painting The Death of Tewdrig. The museum also hosts exhibitions and events for all ages, and an online 360-degree tour and collections search let people explore its holdings from home.

Highlights

• Llan-gors logboat
• Llywel Stone
• Early Christian cross from Maesmynys
• Painting The Death of Tewdrig
• Victorian court room in the Grade II* listed Shire Hall

Permanent exhibitions

• Museum galleries – Archaeology, art and local history collections from Brecknockshire and the south of Powys, including the Llan-gors logboat and the Llywel Stone.
• Victorian court room – The preserved court room of the 1843 Shire Hall, part of the refurbished museum building.

Founded

1928

Operated by

Powys County Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum is free.

Accessibility

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

The centre describes itself as fully accessible and welcoming to all.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in y Gaer on Glamorgan Street in Brecon. The official pages do not give details of public transport or parking.

Amenities & dining

• Café

A public café is on site. The library in the same building offers free Wi-Fi and computers with internet access.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Education and community rooms are available in the building, and the library has a meeting room that can be hired.

Plan your visit