Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre
Heritage and education centre on the shore of Lake Bala telling the story of Mary Jones, Thomas Charles and the Welsh Bible through interactive displays.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre tells the story of Mary Jones, a girl from the Welsh countryside who saved for years to buy a Bible and who walked to Bala to find one in 1800. The centre also follows Thomas Charles, the Bala minister who is remembered as one of the founders of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and looks at what the Bible has meant for Wales and for the wider world.
The centre is run by Bible Society and stands at Llanycil on the edge of Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala), in a redeveloped Grade II listed building. Visitors reach it through the churchyard where Thomas Charles is buried, and his inkwell is among the objects shown. It reopened in 2024 after refurbishment under its present name, having previously been known as Mary Jones World.
Inside, multimedia and interactive displays, exhibits and activities let visitors follow Mary’s journey and see what happened afterwards. Outside there is a picnic area and a children’s playground, and the centre promotes the 28-mile Mary Jones Walk. The centre also welcomes school groups in Welsh or English and has a café, Caffi Pererin.
Highlights
- Interactive displays following Mary Jones’s journey to Bala
- Thomas Charles’s inkwell and grave next to the centre
- The story of the Welsh Bible and its worldwide impact
- Caffi Pererin, a café open to everyone
- Lakeside picnic area and children’s playground
Permanent exhibition
- The story of Mary Jones and the Bible – Multimedia and interactive displays on Mary Jones, Thomas Charles and the influence of the Bible in Wales and around the world.
- Operated by
- Bible Society
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | £2.50 per personSchool groups pay £2.50 per child; teachers are free and groups of 15 or more children get a 10% discount. |
|---|
There is no admission fee, but donations are welcome. A small charge applies to school groups.
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 states that there is wheelchair access throughout and offers a downloadable access statement.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
Interactive displays and activities suit children as well as adults. There is a children’s playground and picnic area by the lake, and ice cream and snacks are sold in the café.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking · 2-min walk to the entrance
Free car park for visitors to the centre and café only; the gates are locked at 16:30.
The car park and café are a short walk from the centre. Visitors walk through the churchyard to reach the exhibition.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Caffi Pererin serves hot drinks, homemade cakes and light lunches (Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 16:00) and can be visited without entering the centre. A small shop sells books and souvenirs. There are picnic tables and toilets.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
The centre and the café can be hired for events and small groups; accommodation can be arranged for weekends away.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | School pupils may take photos, video and audio; copyright of the material in the centre remains with Bible Society. |
| Good to know | School visits are possible in Welsh or English and follow curriculum links to history, Welsh, religious education, geography and maths. Pupils complete a workbook; the suggested maximum group size is 35 children. |
