The Museum of Somerset

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The Museum of Somerset Set in the heart of Taunton, The Museum of Somerset lies within the 12th century Taunton Castle. The museum also houses the Somerset Military Museum.
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Set in the heart of Taunton, The Museum of Somerset lies within the 12th century Taunton Castle and tells the county’s fascinating story from prehistoric times to the present day, using real objects, interactive games, eye-catching film projections and the words and voices of Somerset people, past and present. From an under-floor Plesiosaur, to the largest collection of Roman coins ever discovered in Britain, in a single pot, and a chilling recreation of the infamous Bloody Assizes – The Museum of Somerset is a must-see visitor attraction. It contains objects from across many of the museum’s collections, including geology, archaeology, medieval and ethnography. As well as the permanent galleries, the museum offers regularly changing exhibitions and activities such as family drop-in sessions and ‘talk and tea’ with curators or special guests. There is a programme of special events, including evening talks, music and outdoor theatre. The Museum of Somerset is part of The South West Heritage Trust; a new independent charity committed to protecting and celebrating Somerset and Devon’s rich heritage. The Trust brings together services previously provided by Somerset and Devon County Councils, who remain our main funders. Services include the widely-praised Museum of Somerset, Somerset Rural Life Museum, and state-of-the-art facilities in Taunton and Exeter to care for the extraordinary archive collections of the two counties. We also provide essential advice about the historic environment and manage historic sites including the remarkable Cothelstone Hill in Somerset. For more information:

http://museumofsomerset.org.uk/

www.swheritage.org.uk

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PROMOTIONS: Any promotion or competition run on this page is by the South West Heritage Trust and administered in accordance with Facebook's T & Cs> https://www.facebook.com/page_guidelines.php

14/10/2026

🏛️ The Ilminster Ring is a remarkable Roman treasure dating back to around AD 297. Acquired by South West Heritage Trust earlier this year, it is now preparing to go on display for the very first time at the Museum of Somerset.

✨ Be among the first to see this fascinating find on Saturday 24 October, when the museum will also be hosting a day of Roman-themed activities to celebrate its arrival.

💬 Want to learn more about the ring before your visit? Check out our previous video in our Story Highlights, or leave your questions in the comments below.

08/10/2026

🎲 Games played. 🧩 Stories Imagined. 🎨 Creations made.
PLAY closes this Saturday, so here's a look back at some of the fun. If a visit has been on the list, now is the time!

It’s happening🚨The Ilminster Ring is going on display for the first time!🎉💍To celebrate, there will be THREE days of Rom...
07/10/2026

It’s happening🚨The Ilminster Ring is going on display for the first time!🎉💍To celebrate, there will be THREE days of Roman-themed fun this October Half Term, including...
⚔️ Ring making
🛡️ Roman army drills
👑 Toga dress-up
🏺 Crafts, trails and more

📅 Saturday 24 October
📅 Tuesday 27 October
📅 Thursday 29 October

A perfect opportunity for young Romans, budding archaeologists and history lovers to celebrate the arrival of Somerset's newest Roman treasure.

The Domesday Book is famous, but what about the manuscript behind it?Join author Chris Lewis for a fascinating journey i...
05/10/2026

The Domesday Book is famous, but what about the manuscript behind it?

Join author Chris Lewis for a fascinating journey into Exon Domesday, an extraordinary document held in Exeter for over 800 years. Learn how this overlooked manuscript survived, what it reveals about medieval England, and why it's changing the way historians understand the creation of Domesday Book.

🔎 Expect mystery, discovery and plenty of surprising insights along the way.

VCH Annual Lecture: Making Domesday in the West Country
🗓Thursday 29 October
⏰7:30pm
📍Museum of Somerset

Head to The Museum of Somerset 'What's On' page to find out more and book

Exeter Cathedral

02/10/2026

With only about a week to go until PLAY closes, we have been looking back at our favourite moments across the exhibition.☺️ It has been great to see so many smiles (and not just from the
kids!)👀

Learn, play and craft at Toddler Explorers! The morning session for Toddler Explorers: Night Animals is fully booked - t...
30/09/2026

Learn, play and craft at Toddler Explorers!
The morning session for Toddler Explorers: Night Animals is fully booked - tickets remaining for 1.30 pm, this Friday 2 October.

🦉Listen to the story Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
🍂Make a bat and mole picture and leafy hedgehog.
🦊Discover museum objects from the collections and learn about the animals that only come out at night!

🔗Book now: Toddler Explorers: Night Animals

What's On Somerset

29/09/2026

Join Toddler Explorers this Friday 2 October to learn, play and craft! - This week's theme is Night Animals. Limited availability for 1.30 pm. Morning session fully booked.

Join us at the Museum of Somerset tomorrow for Taunton Together 2026! Have a go at screen printing a bespoke piece of ar...
25/09/2026

Join us at the Museum of Somerset tomorrow for Taunton Together 2026! Have a go at screen printing a bespoke piece of artwork, inspired by this year’s Wild About Our Town theme. 🐝 🌿

📍 Museum of Somerset
📅 Saturday 26 September | Screenprinting 10.00 am – 3.00 pm

Taunton Town Council

🎉 Tomorrow! Saturday 26 September, 10am - 4pm.

Check the programme. Plan your route. Charge your phone. Bring your friends.
See you tomorrow.

TYCA Creative Innovation Centre CIC GoCreate Taunton Taunton Brewhouse Thrive Somerset Arts Council England Taunton Independent Market Visit Taunton Love Taunton - Discover Taunton The Museum of Somerset

🌟 We’re Hiring – Exhibition Technician 🏛️The South West Heritage Trust is looking for a skilled and practical Exhibition...
21/09/2026

🌟 We’re Hiring – Exhibition Technician 🏛️

The South West Heritage Trust is looking for a skilled and practical Exhibition Technician to help create high‑quality, engaging exhibitions across the Trust's museum sites.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong hands‑on making skills, an eye for design, and a passion for crafting memorable visitor experiences. Working as part of our Design and Curatorial team, you’ll support the creation, installation and maintenance of exhibitions and displays, producing bespoke elements and ensuring the galleries look their best.

You’ll play a key role in delivering a varied programme of exhibitions and heritage projects, working flexibly across the year depending on project needs, with occasional evening and weekend work.

Key Information
📍 Location: Somerset Heritage Centre, Taunton
⏰ Hours: Annualised hours (equivalent to 14.8 hours per week / approx. 770 hours per year)
💼 Contract: Annualised Hours
💷 FTE Salary: £31,528 (Pro Rata)

Apply Now ⬇️
To read the full job description and apply, please visit our website.
Please note that CVs are not accepted — applications must be submitted using the South West Heritage Trust application form.

The South West Heritage Trust is committed to building an organisation as diverse as the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from groups under‑represented within the heritage sector.

🎧 Podcast ListenAlmost 1,000 years ago, someone buried 2,584 silver pennies in the Chew Valley area of North Somerset, l...
18/09/2026

🎧 Podcast Listen

Almost 1,000 years ago, someone buried 2,584 silver pennies in the Chew Valley area of North Somerset, likely hoping to keep them safe amid the upheaval of the Norman Conquest.

In this podcast, inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, our curator Amal Khreisheh shares the extraordinary story of the hoard, alongside other experts revealing more about life in England during 1066 and beyond.

Listen now 👇

Address

Castle Green
Taunton
TA14AA

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

01823 255088

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