National Cycle Museum

About the museum

The National Cycle Museum opened on 21 March 1997 in Llandrindod Wells, built around the private cycle collections of Tom Norton and David Higman. David Higman was curator from 1997 to 2010, and the Norton collection was returned to the family at its request in 2014.

In 1998 cycles from the earlier National Cycle Museum in Lincoln were added after that museum closed, and the Llandrindod Wells museum took over the charitable status of the National Cycle Museum Trust, which had run the Lincoln collection. It is run today by an independent charitable trust that promotes interest in the history of cycling.

The museum is housed in the Automobile Palace, a Grade II listed Art Nouveau building on Temple Street, completed in its first stage in 1911 for Tom Norton senior and originally known as the Palace of Sport. Its displays follow the development of the bicycle, from an early hobby horse and Victorian machines such as an 1884 Kangaroo safety bicycle to classic lightweights and modern carbon-fibre designs, together with cycling memorabilia, a Sturmey-Archer exhibition and a 1950s ice cream cart.

Highlights

• More than 260 cycles, from an early hobby horse to modern carbon-fibre bikes
• 1884 Kangaroo safety bicycle
• Sturmey-Archer exhibition and cycling memorabilia
• 1950s ice cream cart
• Grade II listed Art Nouveau Automobile Palace of 1911

Permanent exhibitions

• Cycle collection – More than 260 cycles showing the development of the bicycle, from an early hobby horse and Victorian machines to classic lightweights and modern designs.
• Sturmey-Archer exhibition – A display on the Sturmey-Archer company, alongside cycling memorabilia and a 1950s ice cream cart.

Founded

1997

Operated by

National Cycle Museum Trust

Admission & discounts

Dogs go free.

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

The museum has wheelchair and pushchair access, and a wheelchair can be borrowed free of charge inside the museum. Accessible toilets are inside the building and next to it. Disabled parking is at the front of the building.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

The museum is described as suitable for all ages. A free children's quiz sheet is available, and children can draw a bicycle with paper and pencils provided. Free activities run during school holidays. Pushchairs can be used inside the museum.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Automobile Palace on Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells.

Amenities & dining

Toilets are on site. A museum shop sells clothing, mugs, cycling books, posters, gifts and bicycle parts.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit