St Fagans National Museum Of History has been named Museum of the Year at a prestigious awards ceremony.
The Cardiff museum, which was described by judges as a "magical" place, had been shortlisted for its exploration of Welsh culture and history, having undergone a £30 million redevelopment project
It beat the newly-built V&A Dundee, as well as First World War cruiser HMS Caroline in Belfast, Nottingham Contemporary, and the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford to be named Art Fund Museum Of The Year.
Artist Jeremy Deller presented the £100,000 award. The prize, the largest arts award in Britain, is given to an "outstanding museum" which "has shown exceptional imagination, innovation and achievement across the preceding 12 months".
Stephen Deuchar, Art Fund director and chairman of the judges, said: "St Fagans lives, breathes and embodies the culture and identity of Wales.
"A monument to modern museum democracy, it has been transformed through a major development project involving the direct participation of hundreds of thousands of visitors and volunteers, putting the arts of making and building into fresh contexts - social and political, historic and contemporary.
"This magical place was made by the people of Wales for people everywhere, and stands as one of the most welcoming and engaging museums anywhere in the UK."
St Fagans National Museum Of History includes more than 40 historical buildings which have been set within 100 acres of parkland. Much less well-known is that it's also very close to a battlefield where hundreds of people died .
Visitors can see buildings ranging from a Tudor merchant's house to a Victorian country school, as well as watch blacksmith's, bakers and clog-makers demonstrate traditional skills.
Take a look at the new revamp:
David Anderson, Director General, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales said: "It is the right of every citizen to participate in culture. I am delighted that St Fagans has been recognised by the Art Fund Museum of the Year judges for the work that we do at the Museum, to give everybody an opportunity to engage with culture in a meaningful way.
"Thank you to museum staff past and present, and all our visitors, supporters, volunteers and partners, who have become part of the Amgueddfa Cymru family over the last 10 years. Without you, St Fagans would not be the Museum it is today.
"We believe that cultural organisations can be and should be great storytellers. This is certainly a story we will be sharing for many years to come! Diolch Art Fund!”
