CofGâr, the Carmarthenshire County Council museums and arts service, has announced a vibrant and diverse lineup of exhibitions and events for 2025 to early 2026. With five museums under its care, four of which are currently open to the public, CofGâr is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Carmarthenshire.
Carmarthenshire Museum
The museum also boasts a fascinating collection linked to Arthurian myths and legends, including ‘Merlin’s Oak’, and objects associated with the Physicians of Myddfai.
- Exploring Ancient Egypt: The Story of Harold Jones (March-September 2025): Curated by Professor Joann Fletcher, an Egyptology expert known for her BBC4 series on Ancient Egypt, this exhibition will highlight the contributions of Harold Jones, a Carmarthenshire-raised artist and archaeologist, to the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb by his friend Howard Carter.
- Memory and Ritual (October 2025-April 2026): This autumnal exhibition will delve into Welsh customs of remembrance and local folklore. A Pre-Raphaelite painting from a national collection is expected to be the centrepiece of this atmospheric event.
Dylan Thomas Boathouse, Laugharne
Efforts are underway to reinterpret the visitor experience to make it more family-friendly, with renewed displays and a full events programme, including creative writing workshops in the spring. Additionally, the Boathouse has won a ‘Win an Architect’ competition, securing up to £12,000 worth of time from award-winning architects Wignall & Moore to remodel the visitor experience for better accessibility and expanded space.
Museum of Land Speed, Pendine Sands
Home to the world land speed record-breaking car ‘Babs’, which continues to captivate visitors with its interactive displays and sustainable design. Later this year, the sustainable museum, which won the ‘Best Attraction Award’ from the Carmarthenshire Tourism Association, will host parts of the original engine for Babs and the tail of the record-breaking ‘Bluebird’ car of Sir Malcolm Campbell. It will also hold the Vintage Hot Rod Association’s annual Pendine Races in September 2025. An exhibition on ‘George Eyston’s Dancing Daughters’ runs from February to November 2025, celebrating the all-women team that raced in the Le Mans 24-Hours in 1935.
Parc Howard Museum, Llanelli
The museum has recently undergone a makeover, with new exhibitions celebrating Llanelli entrepreneurs and an interactive, family-friendly experience. It also houses an impressive collection of Twentieth Century Welsh art and the largest public display of Llanelly Pottery in the world.
- Smashing Boundaries (March-October 2025): In partnership with Sporting Heritage, this exhibition will celebrate women in sports in Carmarthenshire, inspired by the success of athletes like Emma Finucane in the Olympics.
- The Wild Men of Arenig (November 2025-March 2026): This exhibition will showcase watercolours by Llanelli-born artist James Dickson Innes and works from Augustus John and Derwent Lees, highlighting the influence of the ‘Arenig Group’ of artists.
CofGâr invites everyone to explore these enriching and engaging exhibitions and events throughout the year, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Carmarthenshire.
