Description
The National Cycle Museum is a fascinating journey through the history of two-wheeled transport, housed in the striking Art Deco Automobile Palace. Located in the historic spa town of Llandrindod Wells, it displays approximately 250 machines ranging from 19th-century pioneers to modern racing models. It is widely considered one of the best things to do with kids in Llandrindod Wells if you are looking for an educational museum experience that captures the evolution of travel in a fun, visual way.
Museum admission is very affordable for families, with adult tickets priced at £6.00. The best part for parents is that one child (aged 4–16) gets free admission with every paying adult, while additional children are just £1.00 each. Toddlers under the age of 4 can explore the collection for free, and well-behaved dogs are also welcome at no extra charge.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines history with quirky inventions, this collection is hard to beat. The museum is packed with unusual bikes, from giant-wheeled Penny Farthings to tiny circus stunt cycles. It offers a unique indoor escape that keeps children engaged with activity sheets and a massive variety of shiny, historic machines.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: Yes
Features
Key Features
- Interactive Learning: Children can use free museum quiz sheets to hunt for specific bikes and details across the galleries.
- Educational Day Out: The collection traces the social history of cycling, from Victorian leisure to its use in military service.
- Sensory Experience: The building itself is an Art Deco masterpiece, offering a bright and spacious environment to view hundreds of shiny machines.
- Historic Setting: Being inside the Grade II listed Automobile Palace adds an extra layer of history to the visit.
Top 5 Highlights
- The Hobby Horse (1818): This is a copy of the very first bicycle invented by Johnson of London. Kids find it hilarious because it has no pedals—you have to run while sitting on it to make it go!
- Penny Farthings: Officially known as "The Ordinary," these bikes with their massive front wheels are always a hit. It’s a great way to talk to children about how people used to balance and climb onto such tall machines.
- The Boneshaker: These early Victorian bikes had iron tyres and wooden wheels, which made for a very bumpy ride. Explaining why they were called "Boneshakers" usually gets a laugh from younger visitors.
- Military Bicycles: This exhibit features cycle-mounted infantry gear and folding bikes used by messengers during the wars. It shows a completely different side of history that many children haven't seen in school.
The Sociable: A rare bicycle where two riders sit side-by-side rather than behind each other.
25.64 miles
