Cardiff cardiff photographer Photography Travel Wales
St Fagans Museum
St Fagans National Museum of History is a true treasure of Wales and Britain. It was fantastic to see it named Art Fund Museum of the Year last week, beating off four other contenders from around the UK to win the prestigious £100,000 prize.
St Fagans National Museum of History
St Fagans allows visitors to explore the history and culture of Wales. Last year it completed a £30 million redevelopment, opening new galleries and workshop spaces to reenergise the experience. The result is tremendous.
Living within a five-minute drive or half hour walk from St Fagans, I am slightly biased. It represents our nearest go-to place for escaping the house and entertaining a toddler. When we can think of nothing else, we go to St Fagans and see what's happening. It also hosts a number of activity sessions for tots, which is helpful.
As a local photographer, it provides a bounty of opportunities through period shop fronts and traditional tradespeople, including a miller and a clog-maker.
A traditional clog-maker at work at St Fagan's Museum, Cardiff, June 2019.
If you look carefully at this BBC news story about the award win, you can spot me and the dog in a remotely photographed image. The last time it snowed I had to get up there and capture the old style details blanketed in white.
The lecture theatre refurbishment in the main building of St Fagans has also hosted a number of press conferences for the Football Association of Wales. National team manager Ryan Giggs, his players and staff have been photographed in the lecture theatre and around unusual historic buildings on the site.
Cardiff, Wales, UK, August 29th 2018. Wales national football team manager Ryan Giggs during a press conference at St Fagans National Museum of History to announce his squad for the UEFA Nations League matches against Ireland and Denmark.
Cardiff, Wales, UK, November 13th 2018. Wales footballer James Lawrence during a press conference at St Fagans Museum of Welsh History in Cardiff ahead of the UEFA Nations League Match against Denmark.
As well as a unique charm in the winter months, summer sees the gardens of St Fagans come alive with vibrant colour. Tree-lined avenues, well kept lawns, beautiful water features and leading lines make it a dream venue for wedding photographers.
Cardiff, Wales, UK. June 29th 2019. People enjoy the sunshine at St Fagan's National Museum of History on the UK's hottest day of the year.
Cardiff, Wales, UK. June 29th 2019. People and ducks enjoy the sunshine at St Fagan's National Museum of History on the UK's hottest day of the year.
Museum visitors pose for a selfie in front of St Fagans Castle.
Insole Court
St Fagans Museum isn't alone in offering a sense of history and peace away from the hustle and bustle of Cardiff city centre or the bay.
Insole Court, a Grade II listed Victorian Gothic mansion in Cardiff, pictured in July 2019.
Another short drive from us is Insole Court. A Grade II listed Victorian gothic mansion on the Fairwater-Llandaff border, Insole Court is also open to the public free of charge.
Though on a smaller scale to St Fagans, it too has well kept gardens, beautifully maintained interiors to explore, and function room facilities in the stables where activities for little ones are held.
A few short years ago we were a mere hop and skip away from the chaotic activity of Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay. With baby and dog in tow, we now we seek more sedate pleasures. An amble around some agreeable gardens or a nose through some dusty books more than satisfies our middle-aged entertainment needs.