Margam Stones Museum

About the museum

The collection of carved stones at Margam was gathered mainly by the Talbot family, owners of the Margam estate, during the 19th century. It was given to the nation in 1892 by Emily Talbot. Since 1932 it has been displayed in a former Victorian church school beside the medieval abbey church, close to the site of the Cistercian abbey founded in 1147.

The museum holds nearly 30 inscribed and carved stones and crosses. On the ground floor are the early Christian monuments, some dating back to sixth-century Wales, including a Roman milestone that was re-used for a later memorial, pillars with Latin and Ogham inscriptions, and the Cross of Conbelin, the largest and most elaborately carved piece with a hunting scene. The upper gallery shows later medieval abbey memorials, mostly tomb slabs, as well as a 14th-century knight's effigy.

Cadw, the Welsh Government's historic environment service, looks after the building. It was reorganised in the 1990s so that the early Christian stones and the later memorials are displayed separately.

Highlights

• Cross of Conbelin, a tenth-century cross with a carved hunting scene
• Early Christian pillars with Latin and Ogham inscriptions
• Roman milestone re-used for a sixth-century memorial
• 14th-century knight's effigy and abbey tomb slabs in the upper gallery
• Former Victorian church school beside Margam Abbey church

Permanent exhibition

• Early Christian stones and medieval memorials – Nearly 30 inscribed stones and crosses, with early Christian monuments on the ground floor and later abbey memorials and a knight's effigy upstairs.

Founded

1892

Operated by

Cadw

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free entry.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: not available
• 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

There is a level path from the car park to the door and the terrain is rated accessible. The museum has two levels and wheelchair users cannot reach the upper floor. The building has narrow, steep steps and low door frames, and the grounds can be muddy or slippery. There are no designated disabled parking bays.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Margam is about 4 miles (6.4 km) south-east of Port Talbot, off the A48, next to Margam Country Park.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit