Holywell Area Community Museum

About the museum

Holywell Area Community Museum was founded in 2018 as a community interest company and is based in the former King's Head public house on the High Street in Holywell, Flintshire. It is dedicated to the history of Holywell and the villages around it. The museum is funded mainly by its cafe, its shop and fundraising, and it relies on volunteers, with only one part-time paid member of staff.

The collection includes photographs and documents that show how the area developed through its people and industries, as well as objects such as cast iron signs, chapel crockery, vintage electronics, school uniforms and medical equipment. Items range from the Stone Age to the present day, and many were donated by local people.

The displays are arranged in themed rooms. They cover the history of worship in the area, the Point of Ayr colliery, which closed in 1996, the history of the National Health Service and a living room furnished in the style of the 1950s. Other rooms look at the Mostyn ironworks and at Holywell's demolished railway station and other forms of local transport. Alongside the heritage displays, the museum hosts community groups and events, including a weekly knit and natter group and bingo.

Highlights

• Point of Ayr colliery exhibition with mining tools and instruments
• 1950s-style living room with period radios and games
• Transport room on the demolished Holywell railway station
• Mostyn ironworks photographs and iron samples
• Chapel room with religious artefacts donated locally

Permanent exhibitions

• Point of Ayr Colliery – A permanent exhibition on the Point of Ayr colliery, which closed in 1996, with mining equipment and tools. A former miner sometimes recounts stories of the pit.
• Transport Room – Displays on the demolished Holywell railway station and other historic transport, including maps, uniforms and signs more than 100 years old.
• The Living Room – A living room in the style of the 1950s with original radios, record players and board games.

Founded

2018

Operated by

Holywell Area Community Museum CIC

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

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

The museum states that it has disabled access and a toilet. Dogs are welcome if kept on a lead.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

The museum has baby changing facilities and welcomes school visits.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

A cafe serves hot and cold drinks and snacks. The shop at the entrance sells local history booklets, bottles and magnets.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit