Tenby Museum & Art Gallery

About the museum

Tenby Museum & Art Gallery was founded in 1878 and describes itself as the oldest independent museum in Wales. It is run as a registered charity and stands on Castle Hill, with support from the Friends of Tenby Museum & Art Gallery.

The museum tells the story of Tenby and its surroundings from Precambrian times to the present. The prehistory galleries trace the area’s past through fossils, Stone Age and Bronze Age finds and the Romano-British period. The Story of Tenby gallery follows the town from the ninth century and its links with the sea, including a ship’s figurehead from a French barque wrecked at Tenby in 1884.

The art gallery shows works by artists connected with the area. Augustus John, who was born in Tenby in 1878, and his sister Gwen John are well represented, together with Kyffin Williams, John Piper, David Jones, Graham Sutherland and others. Other items include a book by the mathematician Robert Recorde, a penny-farthing bicycle from the 1880s and pottery from Peru.

A family area has quizzes, dressing-up and hands-on activities, including a display on piracy. Two rooms host changing exhibitions, often by local artists. The museum follows the Kids in Museums manifesto and is working to become a Dementia Friendly Attraction.

Highlights

• Oldest independent museum in Wales
• Art by Gwen and Augustus John, Kyffin Williams and John Piper
• Prehistory galleries from fossils to the Romano-British period
• The Story of Tenby gallery
• Family area with dressing-up and a piracy display
• Figurehead of the French barque Bertrand du Guesclin

Permanent exhibitions

• Art gallery – Works by Gwen and Augustus John, Kyffin Williams, John Piper, David Jones, Graham Sutherland and other artists linked to the area.
• Prehistory galleries – The history of the area from Precambrian times to the Romano-British period, with fossils, flint tools and Bronze Age urns.
• The Story of Tenby – The history of the town from the ninth century to the present, including its links with the sea.

Founded

1878

Operated by

Tenby Museum & Art Gallery (registered charity no. 1169435)

Admission & discounts

Prices from 7 April 2026. All tickets are valid for 12 months. Gift Aid applies at no extra charge. The museum shop can be visited free of charge.

Accessibility

• Partially 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 museum is on Castle Hill, which is approached by a steep but accessible hill. A lift serves every floor, but there are three steps down to the accessible toilet and the temporary exhibition gallery. Wheelchair users are asked to tell the museum in advance of their visit, and a wheelchair can be lent free of charge. There are a limited number of Blue Badge spaces in the harbour area. Dogs are not allowed except assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

A family area has quizzes, dressing-up, hands-on activities and a piracy display. Free downloadable Family Fun Packs include a maze, a word search, a spot-the-difference puzzle and a family quiz. The museum follows the Kids in Museums manifesto.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Castle Hill, which is reached by a steep but accessible hill.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop, which can be visited without buying a ticket.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit