Last weekend, I took a rare trip out away from the village. It was a destination that I’ve been eager to visit almost ever since we moved to West Wales – the National Wool Museum. I went along with about a dozen other members of Llanafan Women’s Institute.
We drove along narrow, winding, country roads (thank goodness for sat-nav!) to Dre-fach Felindre – just outside Llandysul in Carmarthenshire. There was ample space in the car park, and the exhibits began right there within its grounds… which included raised beds containing plants that are used to create natural textile dyes.
Admission is free, and we enjoyed a slow stroll walking around the exhibits set out over two floors. Afterwards, we relaxed with coffee and cake in the spacious museum café and a browse in the adjacent gift shop.
It’s a fascinating and beautiful space – built in the 19th century, it was home to the now sadly defunct Cambrian Mills. In the original long, narrow weaving sheds you’ll encounter huge pieces of still-working industrial machinery along with various tools that were once essential to production.
The thing I went for, though, was the textile collection – and I wasn’t disappointed! Long-term readers will know that I’m a huge fan of vintage Welsh wool tapestry – a passion I developed long before living in Wales was even on our radar. I have a collection of blankets, coats, capes, handbags and purses… not to mention table runners, place mats and coasters. There are numerous examples of all these items on display at the museum; as well as lots of beautiful sample books, contemporary photographs and information boards about the history and processes involved in the production of these quintessentially Welsh creations.
I took sooooo many photos, that I thought it’s best to include them as two slideshows; one for the images that I took in landscape format and the other for the portrait ones. If you’re a fan of industrial history, Welsh history or textile design, I thoroughly recommend a visit – if you’re ever in this neck of the woods and fancy a visit, the museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm.
