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St Fagans

St Fagans photos (5 available)

Old photo of St Fagans

St Fagans maps (2 available)

Old map of St Fagans

St Fagans books (4 available)

St Fagans memories

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You can also read memories of nearby places in South Glamorgan below.

South Glamorgan memories

Grandparents

Cardiff, Couple by Roath Park Lake 1896

My Grandparents William Garside and Evelyn Bowden were married on 29th February 1896 in Cardiff and Grandad lived in Roath prior to his marriage. I imagine they may have also stood in this spot when courting, looking quite similar.

DAVID MORGAN

Cardiff, the Hayes looking towards Working Street 2004

The David Morgan Dept store left of picture was one of the few privately owned Dept Stores in the U.K. This store sadly closed down in 2006 and is now being refurbished and made into apartments and smaller shops.
A memory of Cardiff contributed by michael tucker

working life

Cardiff, St Mary Street 1893

I like this photograph because it
reminds me of when I used to travel
in to Cardiff by train from Barry where
I lived.
I worked in the National Provincial
Bank in St.Mary Street. I had some
lovely friends and times
A memory of Cardiff contributed by wendy john

Grandmother's home

Llandough, Rose Cottage c1955

I think my grandmother grew up in Rose Cottage.  I hope to learn more about the area and one day visit. She told such beautiful stories about this town.
Any info? womanwiththeheadofroses@hotmail.com

Extracts From St Fagans & South Glamorgan books

St Fagans, Formal Gardens, Welsh Folk Museum c1960

Gifted by the Earl of Plymouth in 1947, the castle and its gardens were not only to become the centrepiece of the museum, but also an integral component. Used to exhibit the daily life of the Welsh gentry, they were, for the first three years of the museum’s life, its very fine but sole attraction – the first reconstructed building in the grounds was not completed until 1951.
An extract from from"Around Penarth Photographic Memories".

St Fagans, the Grounds, Welsh Folk Museum c1960

Arguably more appropriately termed a mansion, the ‘new’ St Fagans Castle stands atop its impressive terraced gardens. The original castle, built in Norman times for the Le Sor family, fell into ruin early in its life to be replaced by a typically Elizabethan house. The ‘Cambrian Traveller’s Guide’ of 1813 was a little sceptical, pointedly recording that ‘the village contains a castle of somewhat modern construction’.
An extract from from"Around Penarth Photographic Memories".

Cardiff, St Mary Street 1893

The photographer has certainly attracted a sizeable group of curious onlookers in this scene dominated by James Howell’s store (right). The draper’s original Cardiff premises opened in the Hayes in 1865 employing a mere five assistants. Relocating to St Mary Street in 1867 and the shrewd acquisition of adjoining premises allowed the frontage that we see here, constructed in 1879. Only a year prior to our photograph the store expanded ‘inwardly’ to Trinity Street. The farmer’s son from Pembrokeshire was on course to create Wales’ premier department store.
An extract from from"Cardiff Old and New Photographic Memories".

Cardiff, City Hall and Law Courts 1906

Admired by a lady sitting in the area later to be occupied by the National Museum stands the City Hall, a year after the bestowal of Cardiff’s city status. The move to locate the then Town Hall out of the ‘old town’ was considered bold and proved contentious. Objectors to the audacious scheme suggested alternative sites in the Arms Park and Temperance Town.
An extract from from"Cardiff Old and New Photographic Memories".

Cardiff, City Hall 1925

Today’s motorists can but marvel at the wide expanse of road on offer here. The formal layout of roads around the Civic Centre was initiated in 1903 some five years after completion of the purchase of Bute’s parkland. Original plans for one grand avenue leading from Queen Street to City Hall proved fruitless - a development partially hindered by the Bute retention of the adjacent Greyfriars site.
An extract from from"Cardiff Old and New Photographic Memories".