TimeScape Rhayader
Volunteer-run museum in Rhayader telling the story of the town and the Elan Valley through digital displays, folklore and a dragon's cave for children.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
TimeScape Rhayader began as the Rhayader Museum and Gallery, a small community museum in the Mid Wales market town. Between 2021 and 2023 it was redeveloped and reopened under its new name, with support from the Welsh Government, Powys County Council and the Art Fund among others.
The museum is run by CARAD (Community Arts Rhayader and District), an inclusive arts and heritage organisation that has been active for more than thirty years, and it depends on volunteers, grants, donations and sponsorship.
Its displays look at the past, present and future of Rhayader and the Elan Valley. Themes include people and politics, nature and science, and faith and folklore. Designed installations sit alongside digital displays, among them a digital table that shows a reconstruction of the Roman marching camp at Esgair Perfedd.
Children have their own corners. An interactive sandbox lets them play out a story of Cyclops against dragons, and a dark crawl-through tunnel leads to the Dragon's Cave, where the copper dragon Queen Belrenin listens to whispered questions. The museum also has a shop selling arts, crafts, gifts and books, many made by local artists.
Highlights
- Digital table showing the Roman marching camp at Esgair Perfedd
- Displays on Rhayader and the Elan Valley, from nature to folklore
- Dragon's Cave with the copper dragon Queen Belrenin
- Interactive sandbox for children
- Fully wheelchair-accessible building with free wheelchair loan
Permanent exhibition
- Rhayader and the Elan Valley – Installations and digital displays on the past, present and future of the town and the valley, with themes of people and politics, nature and science, and faith and folklore.
- Operated by
- CARAD (Community Arts Rhayader and District)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £6 |
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| Children & teens | £0.01Children under 16 pay a nominal 1p. |
| Visitors with disabilities | £0.01companion free · A person supporting a disabled visitor pays a nominal 1p; carers accompanying a disabled visitor are admitted free. |
The 1p charge is used to count visitor numbers. Free entry was offered during some special events in the past.
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 building is fully wheelchair accessible and a lift serves the second floor. Wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge on arrival but cannot be reserved in advance. There are accessible toilets and baby changing facilities, seating throughout, sensory backpacks to borrow (a deposit may be asked for) and a downloadable visual story. Assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs are not allowed in the building.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Hands-on stations
- Baby changing facilities
Children can play in an interactive sandbox, where the story is Cyclops against dragons, and crawl through a dark tunnel to the Dragon's Cave, suited to children or adults with good knees. Sensory backpacks and a visual story are available.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Disabled car parking is available. General parking arrangements are not described on the museum's website.
- Accessible parking
The museum is at East Street Enterprise Park, East Street, Rhayader.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The shop sells arts, crafts, gifts and books, many by local artists.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Staffed by volunteers; phone ahead if travelling from a distance. |
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