Discover Somerset's Heritage
Head for the imposing chimney stack of the pumping station rising out of the marshy Somerset Levels and find out how it has been possible to live and farm here for the past 190 years. The use of steam power on the Somerset Levels to reduce flooding and control drainage of the low-lying moorlands commenced … Continue reading Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum
The Museum and Victorian School Room are housed in the old school at Allerford, leased to us by the National Trust. The school, built in 1821, was in use to 1981 and then, in 1984, it was reopened as the Rural Life museum. The museum collection was originally started through the efforts of the West … Continue reading West Somerset Rural Life Museum, Allerford
Explore this small museum's displays on local cinema, industries and residents all housed within a 300-year-old listed building. Don't Miss! The beautifully crafted Armada money chest with an intricate lock mechanism that was used to hold money and documents. Address 28 Fore Street Wellington Somerset TA21 8AQ Telephone 07971 242904 Website http://www.wellingtonmuseum.org.uk Price Entry is … Continue reading Wellington Museum
Choices, choices, choices! Fossils, sailors knots, photographs, alabaster sculptures, these are just some of the delights you will discover here. Located where the Esplanade meets Market Street and occupying the ground floor of Watchet’s former Market House is Watchet Market House Museum. The Market House is a two-storied stone building which was constructed during 1819-20 … Continue reading Watchet Market House Museum
The Shoe Museum, based in Street, Somerset, houses more than 1,500 shoes from Roman to modern day. It tells the story of Clarks from its beginnings in the early 19th century. There are four galleries which showcase the development of the footwear industry in Street and items on display include shoemaking machinery and tools, advertising … Continue reading The Shoe Museum, Street
Housed in Taunton’s historic castle, the Museum of Somerset tells the county's fascinating story from prehistoric times to the present day. Within the 12th century castle walls you’ll find contemporary gallery spaces and great family visitor facilities, all situated within the vibrant town centre. With an amazing nine themed galleries, each with its own distinctive … Continue reading The Museum of Somerset, Taunton
The museum is dedicated to the local industry of brick and tile making, one of the many labour-intensive coal-based industries once found in Somerset. The core of the museum is the only remaining tile kiln in Bridgwater. It used to be one of six at the former Barham Brothers’ Yard at East Quay. It was … Continue reading Somerset Brick and Tile Museum, Bridgwater
Step back in time as you operate the levers in the reconstructed Midford Signal Box. Explore the mass of exhibits, ponder the old station names and soak up the atmosphere. Don't Miss! The larger of two steam locomotives owned by the Trust, No. 88, is a former Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway freight engine built … Continue reading Somerset and Dorset Railway Museum, Washford
Discover how cider is made and learn more about a rural way of life. Our new House of Cider is home to the full range of Sheppy’s finest award-winning ciders as well as home-bred English Longhorn beef. Don't Miss! An ancient solid oak screw used for pressing apples. Once built into the structure of a … Continue reading Sheppy’s Cider Museum, Taunton
Facing the West Somerset Railway and next to the seafront. The museum opened for the first time in 2014. Displays show the development of Minehead from earliest times, including the town's maritime history; how it became a popular holiday destination; aspects of Minehead life since Victorian times; the famous Hobby Horse, and notable resident Arthur … Continue reading Minehead Museum
Delve into the archives and discover the history of this historic old market town and the families that lived & worked there. Including documents, photographs, maps, paintings and objects, the archive is open to all. Objects range from fine porcelain to cast iron & everything In between. See many of these objects at our annual … Continue reading Milverton Village Archive
See the history of Frome come alive! Discover the company that forged world famous statues, including 'Justice' (that sits atop the Old Bailey in London) and 'King Alfred' (in Winchester). Don't Miss! A rare Iron Age Quern stone used by people at Tedbury Camp, near Mells, to grind their corn for flour. There is a … Continue reading Frome Museum
Come and meet our friendly staff and take a relaxing ride on our heritage steam train through the beautiful Mendip countryside. The train journey is approximately 40 minutes over our 5 mile round trip. Ride as many times as you like on your visit! We are one of the few steam railways where you can … Continue reading East Somerset Railway, Cranmore
Explore the only surviving rural twineworks with its original machinery in England. The site, which has origins dating back over 600 years, includes machinery and fittings and represents all stages of the manufacture and finishing of twine. We also celebrate Coker Canvas, the Royal Navy's premium sailcloth. New oak posts and the removal, after 10 … Continue reading Dawe’s Twine Works, West Coker
From sailing ships to spaceships: discover the links with Crewkerne's webbing and sailcloth industry. With three special exhibitions a year, there's always something new to see. Don't Miss! The photographic collection and activities for children in galleries. Address The Heritage Centre Market Square Crewkerne Somerset TA18 7LP Telephone 01460 77079 Website http://www.crewkernemuseum.co.uk Price Admission charges … Continue reading Crewkerne and District Museum and Heritage Centre
Cowbridge Sawmill is situated in the village of Timberscombe, set in the midst of the beautiful Exmoor countryside. The first mill on this site dates from at least the 14th century when it produced flour for the local people. The amenity survived until the late 19th Century. In 1904 the mill was converted to a … Continue reading Cowbridge Sawmill and Forge Museum
Have you ever wondered where objects are stored? Visit by appointment to see anything from gloves, industrial machinery and paintings, to poison bottles and guns. Telling the story of Yeovil and South Somerset, CHAC gives you a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes and explore a museum store. Traditionally Yeovil has had a rich … Continue reading Community Heritage Access Centre (CHAC), Yeovil
Discover what life was like in the town in the late 1700s through the writings of local diarist James Woodforde (1740 - 1803) who’s writings give a vivid account of the life of a rural cleric in the 18th century. View the writings and sketches of Douglas Macmillan MBE (10 August 1884 – 9 January … Continue reading Castle Cary and District Museum
We tell the story of Bruton’s past and present through the display of artefacts from the Jurassic, Roman, Saxon and medieval times, along with more contemporary displays. Domestic objects, 20th century shoes, the unique sculptures of WWII German refugee, Ernst Blensdorf and the writing desk used by the American writer John Steinbeck, who lived in … Continue reading Bruton Museum
Hop aboard a Great Western steam train and discover one of the delights along the Somerset coast at Blue Anchor Station. The collection of Great Western railwayana, much of it relating to the West Somerset Railway ensures something for everyone. Don't Miss! A ticket-making machine that was used to print many millions of the traditional … Continue reading Blue Anchor Railway Museum
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 … Continue reading Blake Museum, Bridgwater
Visit a working watermill. Enjoy manikins depicting people milling and working at rural crafts. The museum is close to the West Somerset Railway, so why not arrange a double visit? Did you know? The waterwheel weighs over two tonnes yet can be turned from inside the mill using just two fingers. Address The Mill House … Continue reading Bishops Lydeard Mill and Rural Life Museum
The Alfred Gillett Trust is a Street-based charity that preserves and promotes the heritage collections of C & J Clark Ltd. and the Clark family, which established the globally-recognised shoe company in 1825. Founded by members of the Clark family, the collection now contains over 100,000 items relating to the shoemaking industry, social history, the … Continue reading Alfred Gillett Trust, Street
