Storiel

About the museum

Storiel is the county museum and art gallery for Gwynedd, run by the Museum and Arts Service of Gwynedd Council. It was formerly known as Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery and stands in the university city of Bangor. The museum brings together social history collections from across north Wales, with an emphasis on Gwynedd, and it keeps a changing programme of exhibitions and events alongside its permanent displays.

The building was once the Bishop’s Palace of Bangor and later served as the town hall. It is Grade II listed, and a heritage assessment cited on the museum website describes it as the only largely intact late-medieval bishop’s palace in Wales. Tree-ring dating shows that its east wing was built from timber felled in 1546. The main staircase dates from about 1753.

The museum galleries show the history of Gwynedd through the ages, beginning with Roman finds, and include a large collection of unusual historic chairs. The art galleries on the first floor host a lively programme of temporary exhibitions, including the annual Storiel Open art show for artists living or working in Wales. Storiel also looks after a network of small satellite displays of its collections in libraries and community venues across Gwynedd.

Highlights

• Roman artefacts that open the story of Gwynedd
• A collection of historic chairs, including one from Criccieth dated 1710–1730
• A Grade II listed former Bishop’s Palace with a staircase from about 1753
• Art galleries with changing exhibitions and the annual Storiel Open
• Shop with locally made crafts and Café Siabod@Storiel

Permanent exhibition

• Permanent museum displays – Displays on life in Gwynedd through the ages, from Roman finds to historic furniture, with bilingual Welsh and English panels.

Operated by

Gwynedd Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free; there is a donation box at reception.

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

Level approach to the entrance with automatic doors. Two lifts serve the galleries, and small ramps with handrails link rooms with height changes; the historic main staircase has 19 steps in three flights. Two disabled parking bays are about 25 metres from the entrance. Accessible toilets with baby changing are on the ground floor. A portable hearing loop is at reception and a loop for the main gallery or meeting rooms can be arranged on request. Large-print copies of wall texts are available on request. Assistance dogs are welcome. A Visual Story can be downloaded before a visit. There is no audio trail.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

The learning programme includes schools, families and adults; families can borrow adventure bags to complete while exploring the galleries. Baby changing is available in the ground-floor toilets.

Getting there & parking

Taxis are normally available at Bangor station, where there is an NCP car park. Storiel is just off the Lon Las Menai cycle route and has bike rails for up to 8 bikes near the entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café Siabod@Storiel seats 28 inside plus outdoor tables in summer. The shop sells locally produced cards, gifts, art and crafts. Free Wi-Fi is mentioned only for people hiring the meeting rooms.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

One large room or three smaller sections for meetings, small conferences, launches, lectures and parties, with screens, a projector and flip board. Available Tuesday to Saturday, 09:00 to 17:00.

Plan your visit