Museum of Somerset

The Museum of Somerset is housed within Taunton Castle and displays objects organized across nine themed galleries spanning the area's history. The collections range from prehistoric times to the modern era, revealing how the region developed through different periods.

The castle was founded in the 12th century as a fortification and administrative center for the region. The Somerset Archaeological Society converted it into a public museum in 1874, transforming it from a military structure into a space for sharing local knowledge.

The collection displays regional discoveries that show how people lived and worked across different periods. Artifacts like mosaics and metalwork offer insight into the daily lives and beliefs of past inhabitants.

The museum is centrally located at Castle Green in Taunton and is easy to reach on foot. Plan for one to two hours to walk through all the galleries, and weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends.

The museum holds a Plesiosaur fossil dating back 200 million years and a prehistoric Banwell Bear skull. These remarkable finds come from caves in Somerset and tell the story of ancient creatures that inhabited the region long before humans arrived.

Location: Taunton

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Operator: South West Heritage Trust

Address: Taunton Castle, Castle Green, Taunton TA1 4AA

Opening Hours: Tuesday- Saturday 10:00-17:00; Holidays 10:00-17:00

Phone: +441823255088

Email: museumofsomerset@swheritage.org.uk

Website: https://museumofsomerset.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 51.01589,-3.10484

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:06