The roof of Aberystwyth’s historic Coliseum has been replaced, marking an important step in repairs to Ceredigion Museum. The galleries remain closed, but the museum team is bringing three days of free half-term activities to the Bandstand from Tuesday, 27 October.

Ceredigion County Council announced on 21 October that the new roof had been completed using slate specially quarried in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Local builders first put a slate roof on the Coliseum in 1904. DB3 Group is managing the current project from its Aberystwyth studio, while LEB Construction has carried out the roofing work. The council says the project has also provided opportunities for two apprentices.

The Grade II-listed building on Terrace Road closed to museum visitors in May 2025 for essential repairs. Work has also included plans to repair the suspended ceiling and damaged walls. When the closure was first announced, the council expected the museum to reopen in spring 2026; no new reopening date has been confirmed. The council says refreshed displays and greater community involvement are being planned alongside the building work.

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Councillor Catrin M S Davies, the council’s cabinet member responsible for culture, described the roof completion as “an important moment for Ceredigion Museum”. Museum curator Carrie Canham said there was still more to do before the museum could welcome people back.

Free half-term activities at Aberystwyth Bandstand

There is something for families to enjoy in the meantime. The museum’s free, drop-in Bandstand activities run from 11am to 4pm on Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October. On Tuesday, visitors can make spooky crafts from natural materials and visit the Ecohub for ideas about reusing and repairing things. Wednesday brings bat-box making demonstrations, advice about bats and more nature-themed crafts. Thursday features Halloween crafts and a session with Ein Cegin showing how to make pumpkin-stuffed flatbreads.

The museum is also hosting separate, ticketed storytelling events during half-term. Tales of Magic and Mystery, with Claire Fayers and Peter Stevenson, is scheduled for Tuesday 27 October from 6pm to 8pm and is aimed at children aged nine to twelve. After Dark, with Delyth Badder and Mari Ellis Dunning, takes place on Friday 30 October. The museum says online ticket booking is temporarily unavailable; call 01970 612125 to book these paid events.

The Coliseum Coffee House, Tourist Information Centre and museum shop remain open while the galleries are closed. For full times, prices and updates, see the museum’s official events programme. The council’s restoration announcement has more information about the roof work.

Featured image: Ceredigion Museum (2014), photographed by Ian Capper on 4 January 2014. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0. Archive photograph, taken before the current roof repairs