Work has begun on a project to expand and improve parking at Carmarthenshire Museum at the Old Bishop’s Palace in Abergwili. The project will take place for around 12 weeks, starting 19 August and will be carried out by Carmarthenshire company, TRJ.

Carmarthenshire Museum was set up in 1908 and has been owned by Carmarthenshire County Council since 1940. Old Bishop’s Palace was purchased by the County Council in 1972 and the Museum relocated to the site, its present home in 1978. Today it is managed by CofGâr, Carmarthenshire County Council’s museums and arts service. The nationally significant historic site is also home to Parc Yr Esgob and Stacey’s Kitchen.

The scheme has received £264,000 from the Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basics Fund, which is open to local authorities and national park authorities to support projects that improve accessibility and make their destinations more environmentally sustainable.

Carmarthenshire Museum aims to build on a successful 2023, which saw record visits to the museum, by adding accessible parking spaces close to the museum entrance and improving the car park layout. Facilities to support people traveling by bicycle will be introduced, and interpretation will feature inspiring highlights from the museum collection on the visitor journey from the car park. A small museum garden at the front door will be created as a welcoming meeting and activity space with native planting inspired by themes from Carmarthenshire’s past.

Cllr. Hazel Evans, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism said:

“The car park scheme is a major boost for Carmarthenshire Museum and its partners on the site and will give this historic place the magical visitor arrival experience that it deserves.

“Following on from recent successes, CofGâr aims to continue to host outstanding exhibitions and activities at the museum over the coming years. These works will support our aims by expanding the range of parking facilities on offer and significantly improve accessibility, safety and offer a more inclusive and welcoming experience for all visitors.

“The enhancements to the natural and historic environment around the park will compliment this experience by promoting biodiversity and sustainability and showcasing the highlights of Carmarthenshire’s history in new and creative ways. This, as well as provision for more active travel opportunities, demonstrate how CofGâr is effectively meeting the challenge of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Prosiect Zero Sir Gâr.

“The Council is grateful for the support of our partners in the Welsh Government for this project and we are sure that visitors will be thrilled to see all the positive changes over the coming months at one of Carmarthenshire’s foremost visitor attractions”.

Visit the CofGâr website for more information on the car park works and visiting Carmarthenshire Museum or follow CofGâr on social media.