Holyhead Maritime Museum

About the museum

The museum grew out of local maritime exhibitions held in 1982 and 1983. A group of trustees was formed in 1984, and the museum opened in 1986 in the former church of St Elbod’s. When that lease ended, it moved in 1998 to the old lifeboat house at Newry Beach, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund for new visitor facilities.

The lifeboat house dates from around 1858 and is described by the museum as the oldest purpose-built lifeboat station in Wales. A converted Second World War air raid shelter next to it now holds the exhibition on Holyhead in the two world wars.

The displays cover the history of the port from sailing ships to steam and motor ferries, the 1908 gold medal rescue of the Harold by the Holyhead lifeboat, the loss of HMS Thetis in 1939, the packet ship master Captain Skinner, and the wartime presence of the Dutch Navy in Holyhead. Woolly mammoth teeth and a jawbone found locally in 1864 have been on permanent display since 2006.

The museum is an accredited museum and a registered charity, run by trustees and volunteers.

Highlights

• The Gold Medal Rescue of the Harold, a 1908 lifeboat rescue
• Ship models and displays on the development of Holyhead Port
• The Thetis Tragedy of 1939 with artefacts and photographs
• Holyhead at War in a genuine Second World War air raid shelter
• Myfanwy the Mammoth: teeth and jawbone found in 1864
• Nelson the Cat quiz trail for children

Permanent exhibitions

• The Gold Medal Rescue of the Harold – The 1908 rescue by the Holyhead lifeboat, shown with lifeboat models.
• Holyhead Port and Ships – How the port developed from sailing vessels to steam and motor ships, with ship models and artefacts.
• Holyhead at War – Memorabilia and photographs of the town in both world wars, displayed in a converted air raid shelter.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Holyhead Maritime Museum (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

The adult price of £6.00 includes the Gift Aid benefit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

All facilities are on the ground floor and the double doors to the museum and bistro have no steps. A wheelchair is available to borrow, there is a drop-off point for disabled visitors outside the main entrance, and shop counters are at a height suitable for wheelchair users. The accessible toilet has no alarm. The museum is about 800 metres from the town centre and the approach is by road, footpath and steps. Assistance dogs are allowed inside; other dogs are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

The museum calls itself a family attraction. Accompanied children aged 16 and under enter free, and a quiz invites them to find a one-eyed cat called Nelson around the museum and answer 16 questions about the sea. Mother and baby changing facilities are available.

Getting there & parking

The museum is a short distance from the A55.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The Harbourfront Bistro, a café and licensed restaurant with sea views, is next to the museum. The gift shop sells nautical gifts, maritime books and local crafts.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit