Yr Ysgwrn

About the museum

Yr Ysgwrn is a traditional stone farmhouse built in 1830 in the hills above Trawsfynydd in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. It is a Grade II* listed building and still a working farm, with sheep and cattle grazing the surrounding land.

The family of the Welsh-language poet Hedd Wyn (Ellis Humphrey Evans) moved to the farm in 1887, and he was the eldest of eleven children. He was killed at the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. In September of that year he was announced as the winner of the chair at the National Eisteddfod in Penbedw, although he had already died. The empty chair was draped in black and became known as the Black Chair; it was later delivered to the farmhouse and is on permanent display.

The family kept the farmhouse as it was in 1917, and Hedd Wyn's nephew Gerald Williams, the last relative to live there, welcomed visitors for many years. In 2012 he handed custodianship to the Eryri National Park Authority, which acquired the farmstead and its land with support from the Welsh Government and the National Lottery.

Today visitors tour the farmhouse with a guide, see an exhibition about Hedd Wyn, the Ysgwrn family and the Trawsfynydd community, and watch a short film about the effect of the First World War.

Highlights

• Guided tour of the poet Hedd Wyn's farmhouse as it was around 1900
• The Black Chair of the 1917 National Eisteddfod
• Exhibition on Hedd Wyn, the family and Trawsfynydd with a short First World War film
• Tea room, shop and walking paths free to enter
• Working hill farm in Eryri National Park

Permanent exhibitions

• Guided farmhouse tour – A guided visit to the farmhouse showing farm life around 1900 and the story of Hedd Wyn.
• Yr Ysgwrn Inspires – A permanent exhibition about Hedd Wyn, the Ysgwrn family and the Trawsfynydd community, with the Black Chair on display at the farm.

Operated by

Eryri National Park Authority

Admission & discounts

The prices are for the guided farmhouse tour. Entry to the tea room, shop, exhibition, grounds and walking paths is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

All public buildings are accessible by wheelchair and pushchair; where there are steps, a step-free route or a lift is provided. Two toilets are accessible to everyone and there are three accessible parking spaces. One of the three footpaths on site is accessible to all. The exhibitions combine visual and audio interpretation. Guide dogs are welcome but other dogs are not allowed because it is a working farm.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly

Pushchairs can be used in all public buildings.

Getting there & parking

The location can be found on what3words as natively.beanbag.select.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Tea room and shop with cakes, hot drinks, souvenirs, books and homewares. Toilets and a car park are on site.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 60 guests.

The Large Room (Ystafell Fawr) in Beudy Llwyd seats up to 60 in rows or 40 around tables and is available as a full day (£120) or half day (£65); concessions are available for community groups and small charities. A community room is available to hire during the summer season.

Plan your visit