Name: Museum of Somerset
Rating: 5.0

Museum of Somerset

Museum of Somerset, Castle Green, Taunton, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

The Museum of Somerset is a brilliant family attraction set inside the walls of an historic 12th-century castle. If you are hunting for the best things to do with kids in West London or looking across the broader South West region, this vibrant cultural hub provides a fantastic interactive indoor play and educational day out. It tells a grand story stretching across 400 million years, tracking the region from its prehistoric roots right up to the modern day.

Admission is entirely free, making it one of the most budget-friendly and accessible family spots around. There are modest charges for specific holiday trails, crafts, and temporary creative workshops, but entering the core galleries costs nothing at all. This makes it easy to pop in for a short visual browse or spend a full rainy afternoon exploring.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines genuine history with hands-on elements, this site is a top-tier choice. Children can get up close to fossils, inspect actual military uniforms, and view stunning archaeological discoveries. It strikes the perfect balance between educational discovery and lighthearted weekend fun.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Sensory Play and Learning: Children can explore tactile displays, physical buttons, and themed hands-on activities throughout the galleries.
Interactive Exhibits: Real artefacts are combined with films, soundscapes, and spoken testimonies to bring local history to life.
Educational Day Out: Strong links to archaeology, geology, and social history make it ideal for school-age learning.
Historic Setting: Located within a genuine medieval castle courtyard, adding atmosphere before visitors even enter the museum.

What to See

The Low Ham Roman Mosaic: A remarkable mosaic depicting the story of Aeneas and Dido, with intricate stonework children can study up close.
The Foundation Stones Gallery: Explores prehistoric landscapes, fossils, geology, and ancient environmental changes that fascinate young dinosaur enthusiasts.
The Somerset Military Museum: Displays medals, uniforms, and military equipment spanning more than 300 years of local regimental history.
The Rebellion! Gallery: Focuses on the Monmouth Rebellion and the county’s history of political conflict and social unrest.
The Gathering Gallery: Examines community traditions, celebrations, harvests, and parades across generations.

Facilities

Toilets and Baby Changing: Fully accessible toilets and clean baby changing areas are located conveniently on the ground floor.
Buggy Parking: Ample level floor space exists across all main levels, and twin passenger lifts ensure it is simple to move large pushchairs around the exhibits.
Food Options: The on-site Courtyard Café serves up local homemade treats, including fresh soups, sandwiches, salads, pastries, and cakes for a light lunch.

Pro-Tips

Avoid the Midday Rush: Rainy school holiday afternoons are naturally the busiest times. Arrive right at 10.00 am on a weekday morning to explore the interactive stations in total peace.
Check the Craft Calendars: Before heading out, check the current holiday schedule online. The museum regularly hosts drop-in fabric painting or clay modelling events during half-term periods.
Toddler Groups: Regular "Toddler Explorers" and story sessions run on select weekday mornings, offering a great structured environment for under-fives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Museum of Somerset suitable for toddlers? Yes, the museum is highly accommodating for toddlers due to its completely level access, wide gallery spaces, and dedicated interactive play elements. Young children will love the light, soundscapes, and hands-on buttons scattered throughout the family-friendly displays, alongside regular mid-week morning story sessions.
How long does a typical visit take? A standard family visit usually lasts between 2 to 3 hours, which allows plenty of time to explore all nine themed galleries. If you intend to stop at the on-site Courtyard Café or take part in one of the seasonal holiday craft workshops, you can easily stretch your stay into a full morning or afternoon.
Where is the best place to park for the museum? The best places to park are the Crescent or Tangier public car parks, which are both situated just a short walk from the pedestrianised Castle Green. For an even smoother journey that avoids town-centre traffic entirely, utilizing one of Taunton's official Park and Ride services drops you within 100 metres of the entrance.
Are there cheap indoor activities in Taunton for rainy days? The Museum of Somerset stands out as one of the premier cheap indoor activities in Taunton because standard entry is completely free of charge. It offers an exceptional, high-quality rainy day shelter for families where kids can learn and play without requiring an expensive upfront ticket fee.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

Excellent Value: Because admission is completely free, it offers an incredibly low-stress option for an easy family afternoon.
Hands-on Displays: Parents appreciate that it is not just a "don't touch" environment; there are plenty of interactive pieces to keep little hands occupied.
Brilliant Accessibility: The inclusion of smooth passenger lifts and level flooring makes managing pushchairs or wheelchairs effortless.
Welcoming Staff: The team is widely praised for being exceptionally helpful and engaging with children.

What Visitors Don't Like

No On-Site Parking: The town-centre pedestrian spot means you cannot park directly outside the doors, which can be tricky in heavy downpours.
Noise Levels at Peak Times: When school groups or holiday craft sessions are in full swing, the historic rooms can echo and feel quite loud.

What to see

Detailed Inventory of Collections

The Chew Valley Hoard: A magnificent, newly unveiled collection of 2,584 silver pennies dating from the Norman Conquest (1066–1068).
The Frome Hoard: A massive ceramic pot containing 52,503 Roman coins dating from AD 253 to 305, the largest single-container find in Britain.
The Banwell Bear Skull: An 80,000-year-old Ice Age skull of a wild brown bear excavated from regional bone caves.
The Cheddar Brooch: A remarkably ornate, silver-gilt Late Saxon disc brooch dating from AD 800–900, recovered by a metal detectorist.
The Giants Shoes: The massive historic footwear worn by Joseph Sewell, a local 19th-century man who stood 7 feet 4 inches tall.
The Plesiosaur Fossil: A beautifully intact, 200-million-year-old ancient marine reptile specimen mounted flat beneath an interactive floor panel.
The Boneshaker Bicycle: An authentic 1866 wooden-wheeled velocipede manufactured locally in Bridgwater.
English Cast-Bronze Cauldrons: The world's largest surviving collection of 17th-century heavy domestic kettles hung directly from the ceilings.
The Great Bustard Specimen: A preserved taxidermy mount of the world's heaviest flying bird, which went extinct locally but is now being reintroduced.

Beyond the Main Attraction

The museum sits directly on Castle Green, a pedestrianised public square right in the town centre. This open space is ideal for giving children a bit of outdoor running room before or after your indoor visit.
A short five-minute stroll away lies Vivary Park, a beautiful municipal park complete with open lawns, a dedicated children's adventure playground, a duck pond, and plenty of space for a family picnic if the weather is fine.

New for 2026

The museum is prominently hosting a major temporary installation titled "A Life in Art: Roger Fry". Running from 28 March to 4 July 2026, this major exhibition comes in partnership with Charleston in Sussex. It showcases over 40 vibrant artworks, rare loans, and never-before-seen pieces from private collections.
Alongside the main art display, the venue has launched interactive drop-in family craft sessions, adult painting workshops, and specialized printing studios to let kids explore their own artistic talents.

Events: For more upcoming events please visit here.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

While the broader trust operates specialized children's pottery parties at its nearby sister site, the Somerset Brick and Tile Museum, the Museum of Somerset does not advertise dedicated birthday party rooms or packages. For private room hire or corporate event inquiries, you can reach out via their primary email at [email protected].

Tuesday to Saturday: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

Address: Museum of Somerset, Castle Green, Taunton, UK

Post Code: TA1 4AA

Council: Somerset

County: Somerset and Bristol

By Train: Taunton Railway Station is approximately 3/4 mile away. You can take a casual 15-minute walk following signs straight to the town centre, or catch one of the regular public buses or taxis operating from the station forecourt.
By Bus: The main Taunton Bus Station sits just 50 metres from the castle walls, making bus travel the most direct drop-off option. Alternatively, the town's Park and Ride services drop passengers within 100 metres of the front gates.
By Car & Parking: Due to its position inside the pedestrianised square of Castle Green, there is no public on-site parking, save for one allocated Blue Badge disabled space which must be phoned through and booked in advance.