Cyfarthfa Castle Museum will be closed for 10 days this month to allow its stored collections to be rehoused ahead of future refurbishment of the castle site.

Around 10,000 items donated to the museum over the past 100-plus years are to be transferred to a temporary new home at the Council’s Unit 5 premises in Triangle Business Park, Pentrebach.

For health and safety reasons, the museum will be closed from 21-31 March as the collection is moved down the valley.

“The castle will be renovated as part of the Cyfarthfa Plan’s vision to transform it into an international quality venue set in an expanded 100-hectare public park,” said Cllr Geraint Thomas, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Transformation and Commercialisation.

“In the meantime, this extensive compilation of Merthyr Tydfil historical artefacts stretching back 2,000 years will be placed in a large, modern venue with 24-hour security. These are only the items that are in storage – the current displays at the museum will stay in situ for the public to enjoy.”

The museum opened in 1910 and houses Ancient Egyptian relics, the first steam whistle and voting ballot box, art collections including Wedgwood porcelain, Cyfarthfa Brass Band instruments and dresses by local fashion designers Laura Ashley and Julien McDonald.

Wellbeing@Merthyr (Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust) Chief Executive Jane Sellwood said: “While we’re awaiting renovation work, this move will ensure preservation of the collection for the future, enable better accessibility for the public, and represent the first steps making the museum a higher quality visitor experience.

“To ensure the move can go as smoothly as possible, and everyone and everything is kept safe, we will unfortunately have to close while the items are being moved and welcomed into their temporary new home at Unit 5, Pentrebach.”

In 2021, the 20-year Cyfarthfa Plan received a £1.2m funding boost from the Welsh Government to support the Cyfarthfa Foundation charity – in collaboration with the County Borough Council, Leisure Trust and Valleys Regional Park – make a start on proposals, including:

initiating urgent repairs to the historical assets of Cyfarthfa
continuing historic archive studies to assess information and materials
engaging with residents to ensure the site builds on the renewed focus on utilising green spaces and community venues to support healthy lifestyles and well-being

Access to the collection at Unit 5 will be restricted to escorted appointment only by emailing [email protected], or calling 01685 724741.

The Cyfarthfa Museum will reopen on 1 April.