Please note, this exhibition is now closed. It’s official, getting outdoors is good for you! And it’s a chance to discover the nature, geology and archaeology on your doorstep.
Curated by Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales and hosted by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority at Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre in St Davids, On Your Doorstep aims to inspire everyone to explore the nature, geology and archaeology that exists all around us, and enjoy the health and well-being benefits this can bring.
Recent discoveries in Pembrokeshire have come in all shapes and sizes. Some were discovered in the woods, some on the beach. Others were unearthed in back gardens or in farmers’ fields. There’s even a building site! Many of these discoveries were made by people just like you!
Please note this exhibition has now closed.
Take part!
We hope that On Your Doorstep will inspire you to go outside and start exploring. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see guides and resources to help you identify your findings.
Share your doorstep discoveries with us. Common or rare, big and small we want to see them all! Send your photos, drawings and sightings to:
@CardiffCurator @SF_Archaeology @PembsCoast @OrielyParc #onyourdoorstep #stependrws or email onyourdoorstep@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk.
Have you found something that’s puzzling you? Could it be something rare, or something old? Get help from scientists at Museum Wales.
What’s in the On Your Doorstep Exhibition?
Species such as:
- the Ghost Slug
- exotic marine fish like the Almaco Jack
- the nocturnal Ash-black slug that hangs from branches in ancient woodlands like Tŷ Canol National Nature Reserve
- exotic shellfish that drift to our beaches on marine plastics
- fossils of trilobites that lived here between 500-250 million years ago.
Archaeology, including:
- a Bronze Age rapier discovered by metal detectorist Colin Scale on Amroth beach
- a halberd dating to the Early Bronze Age found in Hundleton
- a Late Bronze Age gold Lock ring discovered in Newport
- a collection of Roman vessels used for preparing and drinking wine found in Manorbier
- an Eighth Century Christian cross from St Patrick’s Chapel, Whitesands
- a hoard of Civil War era gold and silver coins found at Tregwynt Mansion.
People, like:
- Ronald Lockley who set up the UK’s first Bird Observatory on Skokholm Island
- Harry Morrey Salmon who pioneered the use of flash photography to record nocturnal birds on Skomer Island.
Nature exploration videos to inspire
Interview with Pat Wolseley, Lichenologist
Slug and snails
Birdsong
Pitfall Trap
Ferns
Identify and record nature
These smartphone apps will help you identify and record the nature you spot in your garden, or whilst out and about:
- iNaturalist helps you identify the species you are looking at. Download iNaturalist from the Google Play Store or download iNaturalist on the Apple App Store
- iRecord shares your records with the scientific community. Download iRecord from the Google Play Store or download iRecord on the Apple App Store.
But nothing beats joining an experienced group outdoors. They are always keen to help you find and notice more, and have been doing citizen science for nearly 200 years! Specialist recording societies are still very active and run outdoor field meetings all around the UK. Beginners are usually very welcome. You can find a list of some of these groups on our natural sciences resources page.
Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Blog
Find out how Amgueddfa Cymru prepared and transported the museum objects used in the exhibition and what was involved from a curator’s point of view.
