| In the thousands of years since man first made | | | | The Llanrwst Almshouse Museum is run as a |
| Snowdonia his home, life in the region has changed | | | | community museum, safeguarding the Jacobean |
| almost beyond recognition. From Iron Age settlers | | | | building in which it's housed. Established in 1610 by Sir |
| and Roman invaders to Jacobean altruism and the | | | | John Wynn of Gwydir, the almshouses provided |
| Industrial Revolution, there's no better way to learn | | | | homes for elderly members of the community until |
| about Snowdonia's history than to pay a visit to one | | | | the 1970s, when they were deemed unfit for |
| of Snowdonia's many museums. | | | | habitation. Now restored, the museum offers a |
| One of the wonderful things about Snowdonia's | | | | fascinating glimpse into hundreds of years of life in a |
| museums is that they're often situated in historic | | | | typical Welsh market town. |
| buildings, giving visitors a real sense of place and time | | | | 7. Dinorwic Quarry Hospital, Llanberis |
| that you're unlikely to encounter in modern, | | | | The Dinorwic Quarry Hospital was built for the 19th |
| purpose-built museums. | | | | and 20th century quarrymen at the nearby quarry. |
| The following are ten of Snowdonia's most | | | | This is one of Snowdonia's most unusual museums, |
| fascinating museums, covering everything from | | | | and includes a restored ward and operating theatre |
| Roman archaeology to early 20th century | | | | (with associated gruesome medical instruments), a |
| statesmanship. | | | | mortuary and an original X-ray machine. This is one of |
| 1. Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery, Bangor | | | | the few hospitals of its kind in Britain, and is a |
| Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery houses some | | | | fascinating attraction for all the family - except, |
| fascinating exhibits depicting the rich and varied | | | | perhaps, anyone who's a bit squeamish! |
| history of North Wales. Exhibits include some | | | | 8. Regimental Museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, |
| fantastic Roman artefacts, including the finest Roman | | | | Caernarfon |
| sword in Britain, and a wonderful furniture collection | | | | Caernarfon Castle is, in itself, a wonderful attraction |
| which includes a 17th century oak drawer chest. | | | | that will keep you enthralled for many hours. But |
| 2. On The Quay at Barmouth | | | | nestled in the Queen's Tower, and part of the |
| On The Quay at Barmouth is three attractions rolled | | | | Chamberlain Tower, you'll find an added attraction - |
| into one. Barmouth Sailors' Institute, built in 1890, | | | | the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. |
| includes a Victorian reading room which still looks | | | | This museum houses a comprehensive collection of |
| much as it did when it was built. Ty Gwyn dates to | | | | military memorabilia from the past few centuries, and |
| 1460 and was one of the earliest buildings to be built | | | | tells of life in the Regiment from its beginnings to |
| in the shelter of the anchorage. And Ty Crwn, built in | | | | modern times. Exhibits include centuries-old uniforms |
| 1834 as a lock-up, has two cells - one each for men | | | | and kit, and information about Britain's most famous |
| and women. | | | | military campaigns and personnel. |
| 3. Quaker Heritage Centre, Dolgellau | | | | 9. Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, Tywyn |
| Entry to the Quaker Heritage Centre is free, and it's | | | | Part of the Talyllyn Railway, the Narrow Gauge |
| worth a visit to learn about the Quaker community | | | | Railway Museum is housed at Tywyn Wharf Station. |
| that once lived in Dolgellau, and the persecution they | | | | The museum has an excellent collection of artefacts |
| endured which led to their emigration to Pennsylvania. | | | | from over 80 British narrow gauge railways, including |
| 4. Trefriw Woollen Mills, Conwy Valley | | | | seven locomotives, tickets and signalling gear. There's |
| Take a free tour of the Trefriw Woollen Mills and | | | | also a special exhibition dedicated to the Reverend W |
| see the working mill museum and turbine house. | | | | V Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine. |
| Trefriw are manufacturers of traditional Welsh | | | | 10. National Slate Museum, Llanberis |
| bedspreads, tapestries and tweeds, and their shop | | | | With slate playing such a big part in the history of |
| sells a great range of products made on-site, as well | | | | Snowdonia, no visit to the region would be complete |
| as pure wool knitwear and sheepskin items. | | | | without a visit to the National Slate Museum. Situated |
| 5. Lloyd George Museum, Llanystumdwy | | | | in the original Victorian workshops of the Dinorwic |
| The Lloyd George Museum is based at the childhood | | | | Quarry, the museum tells the story of slate and |
| home of David Lloyd George, Britain's Prime Minister | | | | what it was like to live as a quarryman in Snowdonia |
| during the First World War. As well as telling the | | | | during the 19th century. The workshops are designed |
| story of Lloyd George's life, the museum includes a | | | | to look as if workers have literally just downed tools |
| Victorian classroom where children can dress in | | | | for the day, and the numerous talks, demonstrations |
| Victorian costume and learn what life was like for | | | | and exhibits play out all the dramas of everyday life |
| Victorian children. | | | | at the quarry. |
| 6. Almshouse Museum, Llanrwst | | | | |