Oriel Davies Gallery

About the museum

Oriel Davies Gallery began in 1982 as Oriel 31 in Welshpool, named after its first premises at 31 High Street. In 1985 it became one of seven Development Galleries in Wales and moved into the Davies Memorial Gallery in Newtown. That building was purpose-built in 1967 as a gallery and community centre, paid for by a legacy from the sisters Gwendoline and Margaret Davies.

The gallery closed in 2002 for a two-stage refurbishment. The first stage enlarged the main exhibition space to 120 square metres and added a shop, a foyer and a glass-and-steel café extension, and the gallery reopened in January 2003 under its present name in honour of the Davies sisters. The second stage in 2004 added a further exhibition space of 95 square metres, an education room, a resource area and a café patio; the whole project cost £1.7 million.

The design by B3Burgess kept the original modernist lines and natural light and added polished stainless steel details. Better security and environmental controls allow the gallery to borrow works from major national collections. Today it presents contemporary art by Welsh, national and international artists, runs workshops and family sessions, and is a registered charity funded in part by the Arts Council of Wales.

Highlights

• Two exhibition spaces for contemporary art with a changing programme
• Work by national and international artists in a Welsh context
• Gallery shop with work by makers, including ceramics, jewellery and prints
• caffi DAVIES café
• Creative play sessions for families and an art club for children

Founded

1982

Operated by

Oriel Davies Gallery (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the gallery is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 Park Side entrance has level access, about 10 metres from the Blue Badge bays; the Back Lane entrance has a side ramp or 13 steps. Both entrances have wide automatic doors. The café, shop and event spaces are step-free and gallery paths are 1.2 metres wide. Three free Blue Badge bays (three-hour limit) are outside the gallery and about 25 more are in the car park opposite. Induction loops are available at the reception desk and at special events. Guide, hearing and registered assistance dogs are welcome everywhere, other dogs only in the café and shop. Ear defenders can be borrowed from reception, large-print information is available in exhibitions, guiding services must be booked in advance and seating is provided. The gallery does not lend wheelchairs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The gallery describes its spaces as family-friendly. It runs Creative Play for Families sessions and a Saturday afternoon art club for children aged 6 to 10 (autumn 2026 programme). Children’s bikes, scooters and pushchairs can be left in the entrance areas.

Getting there & parking

By car follow the A483 (New Road) into Newtown and turn into New Church Street. The gallery is on National Cycle Network route 81 and has a bike shelter outside. What3words: feasted.cosmic.teaspoons.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

The café is called caffi DAVIES. Large bags and backpacks can be left at the front desk. Food and drink are allowed only in the café areas, not in the galleries.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 40 guests.

A meeting room seats up to 40 people lecture-style or 25 boardroom-style, with projection equipment on request. Other gallery spaces may be available at certain times for private receptions, meetings and small conferences.

Plan your visit