10 Museums in South Wales That You Shouldn't Miss

Take a unique underground tour of a real coalmine, where hundreds of men, women and children once worked to extract the precious mineral that stoked furnaces and lit the household fires of the world.

The house in which the late Welsh poet Dylan Thomas was born and lived with his family for the first 23 years of his life. Enter Dylan Thomas Birthplace and you go back in time to when the Thomas family bought No 5 as a new house in 1914 just a few months before Dylan was born in the front bedroom. Soak up the atmosphere of the house in which he lived for 23 years and wrote two thirds of his published work The Dylan Thomas Birthplace is unique in that it allows you to stay in the house as a visitor. When you book the house you have exclusive use during your stay. The house has a growing reputation for introducing new literary and musical talent from both Wales and the rest of the world. The house is open for visiting every day from 10:30am to 4:30pm and the relaxed journey takes you through the beautifully restored rooms to give you an insight into life in the Edwardian era and a perfect starting point to discover just how Dylan was inspired by "...this sea-town..." Phoning or emailing ahead is advisable, as on occasion the house is utilised for overnight stays, dining experiences and other events which will mean the inability to carry out house visits at times where advertised. We do of course, apologise for any inconvenience which may be caused in these instances.

Located within the historic Barry Island Station the Barry War Museum is run by the Barry at War Group as part of the Barry Tourist Railway. The Barry at War Group aims to research, preserve and promote the wartime history of the town and surrounding area.

See our Art Pane Relief exhibitions 24/7 in our dedicated exhibition windows. Viewable from the side road enjoy exhibitions of various artforms changed on a regular basis. We are open for click and collect collections of online or telephone orders until June 2021 when we will fully reopen. Contact us to book a collection time slot that is convenient for you. We are a small gallery, workshop & studio space where you can meet resident artists, see their work and the work of other selected artists. We have a great and unique selection of gifts, books and art supplies available in the gallery and online. We are on the 132 Cardiff-Maerdy bus route, 20 mins walk from the Porth railway station & 30-40mins drive from Cardiff or 1hr from Swansea. Face coverings are mandatory (except for those exempt). A hand sanitiser station is at the entrance and masks are available free of charge to all visitors who forget their own. See you soon!

PRIVATE MUSEUM & IMPERATIVE TO CONTACT PRIOR TO VISIT - As viewed on the Channel 4 recent heart warming and real life documentary entitled - 'BRITAIN'S WEIRDEST COUNCIL HOUSES', also featured on Vice & Ladbible websites, newspaper, travel magazines, newspapers & social media outlets. The 'Baked Bean Museum Of Excellence' based in Port Talbot, south Wales, is the only world's haricot museum displaying those heavenly delights dedicated to all baked bean devotees on the planet! The museum was opened in January 2009 by television, radio presenter and writer, Danny Wallace who is also Patron of the BBEofE! You shall be enthralled to view the various baked bean memorabilia containing a collection of global baked bean brands and adorned by orange inflatable seating arrangements! Not forgetting his unique Heinz kitchen and Branston Bean toilet facility. Many half-baked visitors from around the world duly testify that this is indeed ranked as number one tourist star attraction on Tripadvisor!

Located in the heart of the Monmouthshire countryside, Court Robert Arts sell garden sculpture by local Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire Sculptors and Artists - and entry is free! Plus our Court Robert Art School is opening April 2018. From Creative Clay classes to Watercolour Landscapes, there is a wealth of skills to learn. Visit our website for more information!

SWAM is a new unique Aviation museum based in South Wales near the former RAF St Athan. We allow visitors to get up and personal with our aircraft and displays, with different aircraft being open. We are only currently open at weekends and bank holidays, and while we have free parking, there is a suggested donation for adults of £5. We have a cafe and a shop with there is limited disabled access.

Witness one of Europe's finest art collections. Five hundred years of magnificent paintings, drawings, sculpture, silver and ceramics from Wales and across the world, including one of Europe's best collections of Impressionist art. The building also has galleries showing the diverse natural history of Wales, as well as a journey taking you through the Evolution of Wales (with dinosaur displays) from the very beginnings of time to the present day.

Interactive, hands-on exhibits make this science discovery centre the perfect destination for visitors of all ages.