Last Updated on 12 September 2023 by Colette
This post features gifted experiences
The first time we visited the Gower Heritage Centre, the kids were so much younger – in fact it was getting on for seven years ago and I was worried that they might be a bit too old for it this time. The soft play and sandpit hold little appeal to them now and the play area is too small to entertain them for long, however they are now much more able to take on board the “heritage” side of the things and to really understand the history of the 12th century water-mill and the people who lived or worked there.
Gower Heritage Centre was established as a countryside crafts centre in 1990. The 12th century water powered corn and saw mill was renovated, and experienced crafts people took up residence on site. Today the centre is a crafts and rural life museum which I think can be best described as eclectic and a little tired but full of character. We rather felt that the Gower Heritage Centre could really benefit from a bit of a sort out and some investment, however there’s plenty to see and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re passing.
On a grey, miserable day in October, Gower Heritage Centre doesn’t look especially exciting – I can well imagine on a bright spring day, when you are happier to be outdoors, you’d be able to spend much more time outside looking at all the old farm machinery and visiting the various animals who live at the centre as well as enjoying the play area (which has definitely been updated since our last visit but is still very small and aimed at children under 7 I would suggest).
As it was, we happened to be visiting Gower Heritage Centre during October half term so there was a special Halloween event on with a story teller who took us through part of the mill telling us stories about people who have lived and worked there – I would suggest my children were rather too cynical for her ghost stories and it would probably have been better for children age about 6 – 9 years old. We were guided down to the end of the Heritage Centre where the animals are housed (though not many of them were home!) and met Trixie the very friendly witch who did some Halloween craft with us – there might have been a few surprises along the way too!
Trixie helped the children to make their own spider’s web and rewarded them with bags of pick & mix – she kept everyone entertained throughout, interacting with the children and joking with the adults. We all through she was brilliant and the kids loved this part of their visit to the Gower Heritage Centre so its definitely worth keeping an eye out for special events and what’s on at Gower Heritage Centre through the year as I know they hold regular markets and Christmas events!
You can read about our previous visit to Gower Heritage Centre here.
Why not check out our suggestions of things to do in and around Swansea with kids next or check out our ultimate guide to Halloween
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