In 1962 the local people of the Blaen-y-Coed area raised funds to buy the Gangell, the attached cottage (Rhydfelen) and surrounding land to create a museum to Elfed for future generations. The association raised £200 for the cause. Both cottages were starting to fall into disrepair and were being used as storage and a lot of work was needed to repair it. You can see on the right hand side Geoff Charles's photograph of the Gangell in 1960 before starting work and then what it looks like today. The museum was officially opened on 13 June 1964.

​

The Gangell is two small rooms that are characteristic to what a cottage looked like in the nineteenth century. This is a special place in our country's history - where Howell Elvet Lewis or Elfed was born.  

​

There is an exhibition of Elfed's life with information boards, an eisteddfod chair that Elfed won in Wrecsam 1888 and a screen that plays Elfed's voice as well as a choir singing some of his hymns he composed.

It is possible to arrange for one of us to give you a tour of the Gangell and tell you the story of Elfed by contacting us in advance.

​​

Discover what it was like to live in such difficult conditions for this rural family.

​

Some of the paths are uneven, especially at the point of entry. There is a toilet and picnic area. Please let us know if you have any special needs. Parking is limited.