Haverfordwest Town Museum

About the museum

Haverfordwest Town Museum opened in 1996. It followed the county council museum at Haverfordwest Castle, which closed in 1994 because of budget pressures. The new museum began with strong local support from individuals, the town council, the civic society and local businesses, and it was the first organisation in Wales to win a Heritage Lottery grant to set up a museum. It is a registered charity run by trustees and volunteers.

For 27 years the museum was in Castle House, the former governor’s or gaoler’s house in the castle grounds, a reminder that the county prison stood there until 1878. Because of the Heart of Pembrokeshire project, which is repairing the castle walls and creating new visitor spaces, the museum has had to move. It now occupies Units 24 and 25 at The Riverside and expects to stay there until at least 2027. After the redevelopment, probably in 2027 or 2028, it is meant to return to a refurbished Governor’s House.

The collection covers social history, archaeology, furniture made by local craftsmen, paintings, prints and uniforms from early medieval times to the twentieth century. It includes carved stonework from the Augustinian priory, a silver centrepiece marking the arrival of the railway in 1853 and objects lent by the county museum service. The museum holds full Accreditation status.

Highlights

• Seven-faced corbel stone from the Augustinian priory chapter house
• Silver centrepiece marking the arrival of the South Wales Railway in 1853
• Objects from Haverfordwest Castle’s time as a county prison
• Medieval finds, including a chape and a merchant’s ring
• Museum shop with local history books

Permanent exhibition

• Haverfordwest collections – Local history objects from early medieval times to the twentieth century, including stonework from the Augustinian priory, railway items and objects from the castle prison.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Haverfordwest Town Museum (registered charity no. 1072596)

Director

Dr Simon Hancock

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with souvenirs, clothing, confectionery, pocket-money items and local history books.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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