National Library of Wales
National Library of Wales
National Library of Wales
4.5
Art GalleriesPoints of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural BuildingsLibrariesCoffeehouses
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
253 reviews
Excellent
175
Very good
55
Average
12
Poor
7
Terrible
4
Cycad
Criccieth, UK44 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We were down in Aberystwyth for a two day break and being Welsh thought we’d pay a visit to our National Library for the first time. Website said there were renovations in progress but that the Cover to Cover exhibition and Discover the Heart of Wales exhibition were still running and we could see the famous Nanteos Cup. Sounds good so off we go!
We were very disappointed indeed to learn on arrival that all these exhibitions were closed after all - due to renovations! As a national treasure surely it’s not beyond the wit of man for the NLW to tell people the actual situation on their website? Sal iawn Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru!
We were very disappointed indeed to learn on arrival that all these exhibitions were closed after all - due to renovations! As a national treasure surely it’s not beyond the wit of man for the NLW to tell people the actual situation on their website? Sal iawn Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru!
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pete F
4 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
As others have stated. It was very underwhelming. After reading the website and all the amazing items the place contains we thought it would be a walk through rows and rows of books, Pieces of great art hanging on walls, old maps and manuscripts on display, exhibitions of Welsh history, etc. Instead we saw a few locked display cases with books on bee keeping. A Wales Broadcasting archive which, as welsh broadcasting goes, was pretty bland. There was a small exhibition of items in a small room and the reading room was pointless as you have to order items online and they are brought to you, besides we didn’t have 2 forms of ID on us anyway so would have been unable to register.
It came across as a place thats main purpose is to be used by students and local researchers which is a shame.
The whole place just felt like a waste of space and opportunity.
It came across as a place thats main purpose is to be used by students and local researchers which is a shame.
The whole place just felt like a waste of space and opportunity.
Written August 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa
Staffordshire, UK48 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We visited purely for the children’s play area but it was a bit underwhelming. It was quite busy and there was a group of moms sat in a circle right in the entrance, so that was a bit of a pain to have to step over them when coming in and out. We stayed and read a few books with our toddler, but didn’t stay longer than 20 minutes. It’s great that it’s free, but it’s a bit boring!
Written August 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DarrisWill
Cedar Hills, UT20 contributions
May 2022
I planned for five days and had great success in finding more about my family history. Their website makes pre visit planning very easy and the staff are very helpful. I was surprised by the many resources available in the reading room.
Written May 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The travelling butterfly
Alcester, UK662 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We read all the reviews of the library and the information about the 40 EV chargers.when we arrived there were non EV cars in the EV charging spots and after travelling from England and planning this as a top up stop with the intention of a nice visit to the library, we were very lucky to get the last EV parking spot.
The library itself is large but disappointing. I expected to see mazes of shelves for of books but instead found large mostly empty rooms. There was a section on Welsh broadcasting and a gallery which mainly had photos of people taken around Wales. It would have been nice to have more artwork on display. There are toilets, a shop and a cafe. We spoke to security who was a lovely jolly guy and very helpful, the library was clean but felt like it had no heart.
Beautiful building to look at but needs more life instilling into it on the inside.
The library itself is large but disappointing. I expected to see mazes of shelves for of books but instead found large mostly empty rooms. There was a section on Welsh broadcasting and a gallery which mainly had photos of people taken around Wales. It would have been nice to have more artwork on display. There are toilets, a shop and a cafe. We spoke to security who was a lovely jolly guy and very helpful, the library was clean but felt like it had no heart.
Beautiful building to look at but needs more life instilling into it on the inside.
Written October 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomisa
London, UK190 contributions
Aug 2022
Popped in for half an hour last week. Saw some interesting collections and exhibitions, but I was hoping to see huge displays of books! It’s possible we missed them, as we were a bit rushed for time.
Helpful and friendly staff. Nice building.
Helpful and friendly staff. Nice building.
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ducatibabe
Cheltenham, UK878 contributions
Oct 2021
Visited an exhibition of older age photographs - excellent.
It's a stunning building with fab views & parking is free.
we had a lovely wander around for a couple of hours - the staff were lovely too.
It's a stunning building with fab views & parking is free.
we had a lovely wander around for a couple of hours - the staff were lovely too.
Written October 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GriffNottingham
Nottingham22 contributions
We went to the National Library in 2006 to research my family who come from the area around Aberystwyth, although the library holds records for the whole of Wales.
First - it's on a steep hill!. There are buses up the hill, but it's a 400m walk from the main road. If you have walking difficulties you will need to take a car, taxi or bike. We cycled up from our self-catering accommodation just below. Car parking is available next to the library. Lifts are available in the building.
On first entry you need to obtain a pass, which you will need to show every time you enter the family history area. Check out the website [--]llgc.org.uk for details. There is a dedicated section in the library for family history. Staff are helpful, especially translating from welsh to english, but are not necessarily knowledgeable about family history. Before starting, check out the small library of transcriptions etc at the far left of the room, it may save you time. Photocopies of tithe maps and apportionments are available in this area, without request.
There is no separate area for eating your own food, but the restaurant was good.
Aberystwyth itself is well worth a visit. Take the cliff railway for a splendid view and see the castle.
First - it's on a steep hill!. There are buses up the hill, but it's a 400m walk from the main road. If you have walking difficulties you will need to take a car, taxi or bike. We cycled up from our self-catering accommodation just below. Car parking is available next to the library. Lifts are available in the building.
On first entry you need to obtain a pass, which you will need to show every time you enter the family history area. Check out the website [--]llgc.org.uk for details. There is a dedicated section in the library for family history. Staff are helpful, especially translating from welsh to english, but are not necessarily knowledgeable about family history. Before starting, check out the small library of transcriptions etc at the far left of the room, it may save you time. Photocopies of tithe maps and apportionments are available in this area, without request.
There is no separate area for eating your own food, but the restaurant was good.
Aberystwyth itself is well worth a visit. Take the cliff railway for a splendid view and see the castle.
Written October 2, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tourer123
Birmingham, UK54 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
The building itself is imposing from the outside but walk through the doors and you will not fail to be impressed.
All the staff we encountered went out of their way to be helpful/informative and the gift shop sold some unusual things, including Welsh greeting cards and locally produced gifts.
All the staff we encountered went out of their way to be helpful/informative and the gift shop sold some unusual things, including Welsh greeting cards and locally produced gifts.
Written March 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frances H
Whitehorse, Canada43 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
I am a family history researcher looking at Wills back to the 16th century. The Library of Wales is a majestic building, full of history and wonderful books (of course) with excellent research staff who are willing to explain alsorts of things to the ignorants such as myself. Lovely views and a great Cafe.
Written December 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fairly typical canteen type fare, with a good selection of sandwiches. As far as I remember there is usually soup and rolls, and a small selection of hot mains like a stew or lasagne etc.
Not sure, but I should think there is good provision for gluten free, vegetarians etc. Give them a ring if it's particularly important to you.
Written February 11, 2017
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