The Cyfarthfa Foundation team recently spent a productive, insightful, and celebratory couple of days in London at the Museums + Heritage Show.
Held at the London Olympia, the event draws hundreds of people from across the heritage sector, providing fresh inspiration on themes including interpretation, technology and visitor experience as we continue to drive forward the development of Cyfarthfa.
Some key highlights including hearing from the National Gallery on how it’s used digital technology to reimagine its arrival experience for visitors – prompting us to go and see it for ourselves. The impressive digital infrastructure really does give an impactful welcome and helps build immediate connection by encouraging detailed ‘looking’ and creating a space to pause and reorientate.
It was also fascinating to hear from Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust about its innovative and successful mixed-use approach to the use of its estate for tourism, education, events, community and residents. This has led to the site achieving operational sustainability whilst delivering important heritage regeneration across its 55 Listed buildings (13 of which are Grade 1 Listed). The presentation gave us lots of food for thought as we think about the future for Cyfarthfa.
The use of digital and the opportunities it presents were showcased throughout the event, including how this can support improved access and conservation. However we are also always considering the importance of authenticity and the needs of the visitor within a digital space, and how to blend digital and immersive technology with ‘hands-on’ physical experience to achieve the biggest impact.
We know the experience for our visitors and the local community is key. As we look at how Cyfarthfa can be developed as a cultural centre and visitor attraction of international quality, it was great to learn more about the challenges being faced by some of the UK’s most famous cultural attractions, including St Paul’s Cathedral and Hever Castle, and hear more about their strategies for providing engaging activities and opportunities in complex heritage buildings.
Sandwiched between 2 days of cultural inspiration, networking and sharing ideas; we were exceptionally proud to represent Cyfarthfa at the Museums + Heritage Awards where we were shortlisted amongst sector leaders including the Natural History Museum and the Imperial War Museums.
We were delighted to be 1 of only 2 Welsh organisations shortlisted at the awards, alongside the team from Cadw and Jam Creatives for their innovative digital project at Caerphilly Castle.
The Cyfarthfa200 campaign, which we delivered alongside Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, the team at Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery, and a wide range of other organisations and individuals was shortlisted for Marketing and Communications Campaign of the year, and whilst we didn’t win on the night, our place amongst these incredible national institutions is further endorsement of the importance of Cyfarthfa, its global significance and its exciting potential.
Being surrounded by so many passionate heritage professionals underscores the vital role our sectors play in supporting education, community identity, and social cohesion. Seeing the success of our peers reinforces the broader benefits that a revitalised Cyfarthfa Castle and Park will bring more of to our region - from boosting wellbeing and driving local economies to promoting inclusivity. We’re excited and inspired as we look into Cyfarthfa’s exciting future as a heritage attraction that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best the UK has to offer.