Penmaenmawr Museum

About the museum

Penmaenmawr Museum tells the story of a North Wales coastal town and its quarrying past. Its roots go back to 1973, when the local historian Ivor E. Davies helped to found the Penmaenmawr Historical Society, which gave talks and published booklets. After his death Dennis Roberts took care of his collection and later chaired the society, and he rescued quarry documents and maps that were about to be thrown away.

In 2006 the society took over the running of the museum, which was then in a quarryworker’s cottage on the edge of town. In 2017 it moved to its present home in the former post office in the centre of Penmaenmawr, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Conwy County Borough Council.

The museum holds objects, documents, maps and photographs, including the research of its founders, and has recorded local people’s stories. It runs exhibitions, a lecture series, guided heritage walks in summer, a coffee shop and the Cynefin gift shop. It is a small independent accredited museum and registered charity, managed by 11 trustees and supported by more than 20 volunteers.

Highlights

• Archive of quarry documents, maps and photographs
• Recorded memories of local people
• Digital screens with local history information, including in British Sign Language
• Cynefin gift shop with Welsh-made products and books
• Winter lecture series and guided heritage walks

Operated by

Penmaenmawr Historical Society and Museum (registered charity 1209431)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Museum entry is free according to listings based on the museum’s own site; donations are welcome. Talks (£4) and upland guided walks (£25) are charged separately.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 floors are level with no steps or ramps inside and a flat entrance with a 1.2 m wide door; a wheelchair-accessible lift serves the first floor. The accessible toilet has support rails and a baby changing table. The gallery and coffee shop have a hearing loop. Blue Badge parking is on the high street, 10 to 50 metres away, and the Fernbrook Road car park has two Blue Badge bays, with a ramped route of about 100 metres to the museum. Volunteers are learning British Sign Language and free sunflower lanyards are available at the coffee shop counter and reception.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

The museum offers learning resources for all ages, schools and home educators, with loan boxes and a trail for school groups. The toilet has a baby changing table.

Getting there & parking

Leave the A55 at junction 16 and follow signs to Penmaenmawr. The museum is on the high street, opposite the Mountain View bunkhouse.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The coffee shop serves tea, coffee, snacks, sandwiches and homemade cakes. The Cynefin gift shop sells gifts, jewellery, artwork and books on Welsh history and the local area; profits support the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit