Somerset Rural Life Museum

Somerset Rural Life Museum Explore Somerset's rich rural and social history at Somerset Rural Life Museum. The museum tells the story of Somerset’s rich rural and social history.
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Somerset Rural Life Museum reopened in June 2017 following a major £2.4 million redevelopment. Visitors can enjoy the five Farmhouse Galleries which explore the themes of ‘Creating’, ‘Learning’, ‘Believing’, ‘Celebrating’ and ‘Remembering.’ In the large Farmyard Gallery the major themes are ‘Working Village’ and ‘Working the Land’. The magnificent 14th-century Abbey Barn remains the centrepiece of

the site. Outside spaces, including the Farmyard and the Orchard, contain sculpture and family trails that interpret the history of the site and its buildings. The Grain Store Café will be open all year round at this family-friendly destination, offering high-quality locally-sourced food and drink. The museum is part of the South West Heritage Trust, an independent charity committed to protecting and celebrating Somerset and Devon’s rich heritage. As well as the widely-praised Museum of Somerset and the redeveloped Somerset Rural Life Museum, in Glastonbury, the Trust manages state-of-the-art facilities in Taunton and Exeter to care for the extraordinary archive collections of the two counties. The Trust also provides essential advice about the historic environment and manages historic sites. For more information:

www.SRLM.org.uk

www.swheritage.org.uk

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30/05/2026

🎥 Sneak Preview!
Get a taste of GreenMatthews in action before they join us in the medieval barn for Midsummer Revels with GreenMatthews (Wed 17 June, 7.30pm - don't forget to book your tickets). ✨

📣Tea and Talk - Wood Engraver Harry Brockway☕The celebrated Glastonbury-based artist, Harry Brockway left behind a creat...
27/05/2026

📣Tea and Talk - Wood Engraver Harry Brockway☕

The celebrated Glastonbury-based artist, Harry Brockway left behind a creative legacy.🎨

Join art historian and write Francesca Ramsay as she dives into the life and work of Harry Brockway. Discover the stories behind his exceptional wood engravings, wood cuts and wooden sculpture. Learn how his deep commitment to craftmanship shaped a career spanning illustration, sculpture and stone carving.📖🗿

📅Saturday 11 June
🕐 11:00-12:00
📍Somerset Rural Life Museum
🎟Booking Required, £5

📸All rights reserved The Brockway Family

🎵 About GreenMatthews 🎶Meet GreenMatthews — modern‑day balladeers keeping the ancient art of storytelling through song v...
24/05/2026

🎵 About GreenMatthews 🎶

Meet GreenMatthews — modern‑day balladeers keeping the ancient art of storytelling through song very much alive.
Chris Green and Sophie Matthews draw on the rich tradition of the wandering troubadour, bringing narrative songs to life with warmth, wit and a dazzling array of instruments.

Their toe-tapping performances blend timeless tales with a fresh 21st‑century energy. GreenMatthews tour through intimate folk clubs to historic venues across the UK and Europe, travelling far and wide to share music.

✨If you love stories, songs and a touch of musical adventure, Midsummer Revels with GreenMatthews is coming to the abbey barn on Wednesday17 June 7.30 pm 📅 - put it in your diary and secure your ticket.

23/05/2026

Now open! ✨
Ways with Wood is officially ready to welcome visitors.
This major exhibition celebrates the life and work of renowned Glastonbury-based artist Harry Brockway (1958–2024). Featuring an exceptional selection of wood engravings, woodcuts and wooden sculpture, it offers a rich insight into the creativity, skill and craftsmanship that defined his distinguished career.
Don’t miss the chance to experience this eclectic display of art and craftsmanship 👀

🌟 We’re Hiring – Exhibition Technician 🏛️The South West Heritage Trust is looking for a skilled and practical Exhibition...
20/05/2026

🌟 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.

🎶Celebrate the spirit of summer with Midsummer Revels with GreenMatthews  in the Abbey Barn on 17 June 2026📅. 🎶 The Abbe...
20/05/2026

🎶Celebrate the spirit of summer with Midsummer Revels with GreenMatthews in the Abbey Barn on 17 June 2026📅. 🎶

The Abbey Barn dates back to the 14th century making it the perfect setting for traditional English folksongs, original music and lively dance tunes. 🎶Prepare for a rich mix of historic instruments, such as English border bagpipes, mandocello and shawm, all underscored with GreenMatthews' trademark wit and humour.

📍 Somerset Rural Life Museum, abbey barn (wrap up warm)
🍺 Bar available (cash preferred)
🚫 No under‑5s
🕢 7:30–9:30pm
🎟️ £15 pp
👉Book now: https://swheritage.org.uk/events/midsummer-revels/

Perfect for lovers of folk, history and long summer evenings.

Visit Glastonbury Visit Somerset Down Somerset Way Glastonbury Town Council

19/05/2026

The gallery is transforming… ✨
Installation for Harry Brockway: Ways with Wood is well underway, with so much of Harry’s work on display, an extra wall has even been added! 🪵🛠️
Opening this Saturday… 👀

🌼 May Half Term Fun inSomerset with the South West Heritage Trust! 🌼There’s something for every young creator, storytell...
13/05/2026

🌼 May Half Term Fun in
Somerset with the South West Heritage Trust! 🌼

There’s something for every young creator, storyteller
and history‑lover this half term.

🚜 Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury:
🪵 Wonders in Wood — 25–29 May. Family activities
inspired by Glastonbury artist Harry Brockway. Included
with Museum Unlimited Pass.

⚔️ Avalon Archaeology, Shapwick:
🔥 Beowulf: A Warrior’s World — 28 May. A
child‑friendly performance with warrior‑craft activities.
Booking required, £20 per child.
🛠️ Bronze Age Crafts & Demos — 30 May. See ancient
craft demonstrations and try hands‑on activities.
Drop‑in.

🧱 Somerset Brick & Tile Museum, Bridgwater:
🎪 Play with Clay: Bunting — 26 & 28 May. Make
personalised clay bunting to take home.

🏛️ Museum of Somerset, Taunton:
🎨 Young Designers Drop‑in — 26–27 May. Decorate a
cushion or photo frame to take home.
✂️ Matisse in Bloom with GoCreate — 28 May. Create
vibrant Matisse‑inspired paper collages. Booking
required, £20, ages 5–15.
👜 Print Like Fry: Tote Bag Workshop — 29 May.
Design and print your own fabric tote. Booking
required, £20, ages 5–15.

✨ Explore, create and discover Somerset’s heritage
this half term. ✨
👉Head to our bio for full details




Visit Somerset

13/05/2026

🌟 We’re Hiring – Fundraising Manager 🏛️

This is an exciting opportunity to join the South West Heritage Trust at a pivotal time and play a key role in strengthening our long-term financial sustainability. As our first dedicated fundraising professional, you’ll help shape and grow our charity fundraising activity.

We’re looking for an experienced and motivated individual who can work collaboratively across the organisation to identify and secure funding from trusts and foundations, develop individual giving and legacy support, and establish effective systems to support fundraising success.

You’ll build a strong pipeline of opportunities to support exhibitions, learning programmes, collections work, and the Trust’s wider strategic priorities. This is a varied and rewarding role that calls for excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and a proactive, can-do approach.

Key Information
📍 Location: Somerset Heritage Centre, Taunton
⏰ Hours of Work: 37 hours per week
📝 Contract: One year fixed-term
📅 Closing Date: 9am, Monday 1 June 2026

Apply Now ⬇️
To read the full job description and apply, please visit our website
Please note that CVs are not accepted as applications.

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 under-represented groups within the heritage sector.

11/05/2026

Carefully packed and ready to move on. 🐑
Legacy In Making is now closed.
Next up in The Mapstone Gallery: Harry Brockway - Ways with Wood. 🪵
Stay tuned for a sneak peak of the gallery👀

Address

Chilkwell Street
Glastonbury
BA68DB

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

01458 831197

Website

https://linktr.ee/SomersetRuralLifeMuseum

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