The Royal Mint invites groups ‘beyond the glass’ in new tour

The attraction in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, has launched a ‘Beyond the Glass’ weekend tour which allows groups to get up close with the machines that strike the coins to find out what goes on behind-the-scenes. 

With group rates for 15 people or more, the tour will show what the factory, which makes more than 3.3 billion coins and blanks every year for in excess of 30 countries, is really like.

The Royal Mint’s history spans more than 1,100 years with every coin telling its own story, all the way from a rare gold Sovereign to a Peter Rabbit™ 50p coin. 

It was crowned Best Museum or Gallery at the Group Leisure & Travel Awards, as voted for by group travel organisers. 

What to expect from a visit

General tours include a visit to The Royal Mint Exhibition, which has some of the most unique and rare coins in British history on display. There are six different zones to explore; The Royal Mint and the community; The Royal Mint and the world; Making money; The other side of the Royal Mint; The meaning of coins and Coins and collecting. The latter explores the appeal and traditions of coin collecting including some of the rarest and most sought-after coins since collecting them became a hobby. 

The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through history, right back to around 886AD starting at The Tower of London. It features the Alfred the Great penny which is a staggering 1,100 years old, medals from the London 2012 Olympics, the UK’s first Sovereign from 1489 plus much more.

Visitors can then take the unique opportunity to strike their own coin, in the very mint where the highest quality coins and medals are made for collectors all over the world. 

Also new at The Royal Mint Experience

There’s a new enhanced experience for groups visiting in 2024.

The Key to the Mint features an exclusive guided exhibition tour, the opportunity for each member of your group to strike their own coin as well as tea and coffee.

Groups can also combine a Royal Mint Experience visit with a package involving one of the nearby attractions such as Mint and Mine which includes a tour of the Rhondda Heritage Park.