Tenby Museum & Art Gallery stands as the oldest independent museum in Wales. Established in 1878 it continues to develop its collections and displays to preserve and promote the history of the town, giving a sense of place and heritage to both the local person and the visitor. Museum of the Year Award 1996: the Shoestring Award for the museum achieving he best results with limited resources.
Services
Donations are always welcome to the museum funds for work undertaken. As an independent charity much of ur funds come through admission tickets and donations. Although we are currently closed due to the pandemic, our work to care for the collection and sharing the stories continues. Conservation of important historical artefacts (we have over 100,000 items in our collection including objects of national significance).
The shop sells a variety of goods ranging from postcards, unique gifts, books, stylish greetings cards to prints and original art by local artists. The books range from publications on local histories, works by Dylan Thomas, books on archaeology and geology, local walks, art, including Augustus and Gwen John and Claudia Williams.
The Friends of Tenby Museum and Art Gallery exists to support and actively promote the interests of Tenby Museum and Art Gallery. The Friends raise funds to assist the museum and art gallery by means of subscriptions and fundraising events. You are entitled to free entry to the museum and art gallery for the current year (annual subscribers).
At Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, the oldest independent museum in Wales, we recently began creating online access to our fabulous collections for the visually impaired, via a project called HEAR TO SEE, using audio descriptive podcasts. So far ten podcasts have been broadcast, with several more in the planning and development stages.
The Story of Tenby Gallery traces the history of the town from the 9th century through to the present day. The gallery features bilingual interpretive panels, photographs and artefacts from the museum's collections as well as a Kid's Corner where children can enjoy doing drawings and quiz sheets.
In the gallery you can learn about Henry Tudor's legendary escape from the town, discover which Tenby born mathematician invented the equals (=) sign, read about the decline and growth of the town as a resort, uncover Tenby's exciting involvement in the lead up to the D-Day landings during World War II, learn about the time when pigs roamed the streets and find out exactly what the dramatic building is on St Catherine's Island.
In the gallery you can learn about Henry Tudor's legendary escape from the town, discover which Tenby born mathematician invented the equals (=) sign, read about the decline and growth of the town as a resort, uncover Tenby's exciting involvement in the lead up to the D-Day landings during World War II, learn about the time when pigs roamed the streets and find out exactly what the dramatic building is on St Catherine's Island.
Reviews (7)
Kathy Talbot
Sep 09, 2021
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David Thomas
Aug 24, 2019
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Dylan Allman
Aug 22, 2019
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Lovely independent museum with fascinating exhibits!
This museum has a lot more to offer than you think! The entry fees are great, all children get in for free, and for adults you have to pay £4.50 for entry. The good thing about the adult ticket is that if you keep the small ticket that they give you, you get to visit for free for the next year!
All of the exhibits inside are all child friendly and very interesting for the adults.
The museum and art gallery is based over 3 floors, with lift access to all floors.
On the second floor, there is a wonderful art gallery, with paintings and pictures
This museum has a lot more to offer than you think! The entry fees are great, all children get in for free, and for adults you have to pay £4.50 for entry. The good thing about the adult ticket is that if you keep the small ticket that they give you, you get to visit for free for the next year!
All of the exhibits inside are all child friendly and very interesting for the adults.
The museum and art gallery is based over 3 floors, with lift access to all floors.
On the second floor, there is a wonderful art gallery, with paintings and pictures
Michael Rieveley
Jun 09, 2019
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An interesting gallery and museum. Along with various local historical artefacts are works by Augustus and Gwen John who came from Tenby. Also there is an impressive mosaic by the artist Jonah Jones attached to an outer wall to the rear of the building. Part abstract, part figurative it depicts the Tenby headland and the surrounding seas which this mosaic overlooks. In essence a reflection of its own location.
Unfortunately some bits of the mosaic pieces have come off, probably as a result of that stunning location as it is open to storms, wind, rain and whatever the weather can throw at it.
Unfortunately some bits of the mosaic pieces have come off, probably as a result of that stunning location as it is open to storms, wind, rain and whatever the weather can throw at it.
Marianne Bevans
Jun 07, 2019
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Steven Roff
Dec 26, 2018
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This is a great little museum the staff were excellent. It is quite compact but full of interesting things for all ages. The lady who we bought the tickets from was absolutely wonderful with our kids very natural with them. The one issue I had was the wheelchair blocking access to the lift on the ground floor but apart from that a little gem of a place.
Tyler Dunn
Dec 22, 2018
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Amazing experience; so much to learn about Tenby and it's all organised so you walk through the ages.
Interactive exhibits, really fascinating. I've always been interested in this sort of history and found it enthralling. Couldn't recommend it enough, and the entry fee is very reasonable!
Only problem is that it's a bit of a climb as it's on top of a cliff peak overlooking the ocean but the view alone is worth it!!!
Interactive exhibits, really fascinating. I've always been interested in this sort of history and found it enthralling. Couldn't recommend it enough, and the entry fee is very reasonable!
Only problem is that it's a bit of a climb as it's on top of a cliff peak overlooking the ocean but the view alone is worth it!!!