Journey into the heart of Bridgwater, a historic market town and port, and discover more about its fascinating history. The building is said to be the birthplace of the ‘Father of the Royal Navy’ Admiral Robert Blake, one of the country’s most important military commanders.
The museum has much more on the history of the town, as well as material from the neighbourhood, from Ashcott in the east to Nether Stowey in the west; and from Huntspill in the north to Thurloxton in the south.
Did You Know?
The museum is reputed to be the birthplace of Robert Blake, born in 1598. The son of a prosperous Bridgwater merchant, Robert Blake became Member of Parliament for the town in 1640. Joining the Parliamentary party against King Charles 1 during the Civil War, he became Cromwell’s General-at-Sea. Follow this fascinating story of the founder of the modern navy at the museum.
Address
5 Blake Street
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 3NB
Telephone
01278 456127
Website
www.bridgwatermuseum.org.uk or www.bridgwatermuseum.info
Price
Entry is free, but donations are welcome
Opening Times
Open April to November
Facilities
- Guidebooks
- Parking nearby
- Shop
- Toilets
- Museum garden
- Limited refreshments
- Saturday book sales in the winter
- Restricted-access research library
- Level access/ramps
- Limited disabled access
Learning
The Museum offers visits for schools and adult groups. School parties of children under 16 must be accompanied. Please contact the Museum for more information.
Research
The Museum can assist researchers with enquiries about the collection, local history and family history.
The Museum website gives further details of the areas covered and includes a range on online resources and downloads.
Museum Friends
The Friends of Blake Museum were founded in 2000 to support the Museum practically and financially. Details can be found on the Friends website.
Volunteering
The Museum is owned by Bridgwater Town Council, and managed on a day-to-day basis by volunteers. New volunteers are always welcome.
Collections
- Agriculture
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Archives
- Art
- Aviation
- Ceramics
- Costume
- Ecclesiastical
- Geology
- Industrial
- Literary
- Maritime
- Military
- Photographic
- Railway
- Social history
- Transport
Time Periods
- 20th Century
- Anglo-Saxon
- Bronze Age
- Contemporary
- Dark Ages
- Edwardian
- Geological
- Georgian
- Iron Age
- Medieval
- Mesolithic
- Neolithic
- Palaeolithic
- Roman
- Stuart
- Tudor
- Victorian
