Workshops at Carmarthenshire Museum
CofGâr loan boxes let children explore historical artefacts first‑hand, providing the rich, hands‑on learning experiences central to the Curriculum for Wales. Designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding, each box helps learners’ step into the past and explore stories, cultures, and everyday lives in a way that textbooks alone can’t match. They’re an inspiring way to bring history to life and enrich classroom learning with genuine artefacts that make every discovery feel meaningful.
WWII Evacuee Workshop
(Suitable for Key Stages 2 – 3 but can be adapted for younger learners)
In this immersive workshop, learners step into the shoes of real children who were evacuated to the Bishop’s Palace—now Carmarthenshire Museum—during the Second World War. The session follows the story of Paul, the youngest evacuee, who arrived from Swansea at around five years old and lived in the house alongside many other children from both Wales and London. Through a guided tour of the building, pupils hear Paul’s personal memories and discover where the evacuees slept, ate, and played, as well as what rationing meant for their daily lives. Learners are encouraged to reflect on how they might have felt in the same situation, building empathy and emotional understanding. The workshop also includes opportunities to dress up as evacuees, explore the contents of Paul’s suitcase, and, depending on age, write a letter home as if they were one of the children staying at the palace—bringing history to life in a powerful, hands‑on way.
Roman Workshop
(Suitable for Key Stages 2 – 3)
In this lively, hands‑on workshop, pupils discover what life was like in Roman Carmarthenshire by exploring a range of real and replica artefacts linked to both everyday households and Roman soldiers. A key highlight is the chance to dress up as Roman soldiers, complete with shields and swords, giving learners a memorable way to step into the past. The session also includes a detailed model of a Roman farmhouse, showing what a typical building in Carmarthenshire would have looked like during the Roman period and helping pupils visualise how families lived and worked.
Victorian Schoolroom Workshop
(Suitable for Key Stage 2. Shorter session offered for Foundation Phase learners)
This workshop transports pupils back to 1880 as they step inside an authentic Victorian classroom filled with original artefacts from schoolrooms across Carmarthenshire. Learners dress in Victorian school clothing and experience what a school day was really like for children of the time — from the strict routines and classroom expectations to the subjects they studied and the toys they played with. They discover the realities of discipline, including the cane and the Welsh Not, and try writing on chalkboards with their non‑dominant hand to understand how left‑handed children were treated. This immersive, atmospheric session captivates pupils and brings the Victorian era vividly to life, making it one of our most memorable and engaging workshops.
WWII Evacuee Tour with Kitchen & Garden Experience (in partnership with Parc yr Esgob)
(Suitable for Key Stages 2 -3)
This multi‑stage workshop gives learners a vivid insight into life during the Second World War through an evacuee‑themed tour of the Bishop’s Palace and hands‑on activities at Parc yr Esgob. Pupils begin by exploring the historic building, discovering the real stories of the children who were evacuated here and imagining what daily life was like in their temporary home. The session then moves into the palace kitchen, where learners investigate wartime rationing, handle ration books, and see the limited food allowances families had to manage. Finally, the workshop continues outdoors in the gardens of Parc yr Esgob, where pupils learn how people grew their own fruit and vegetables to supplement their rations and take part in practical activities that deepen their understanding of Home Front life. This engaging experience blends storytelling, exploration, and outdoor learning to bring WWII history to life.
