During my recent holiday in England, I visited the Museum of Somerset with my sister. The museum, which is located within the 12th century Taunton castle, had a lovely collection of exhibits about life in the Somerset region from prehistoric to present day.
The castle, designated as an ancient monument, has an interesting history from its 12th century beginnings to its decline in the 16th century, its role in the siege of Taunton in 1644/45 and as the site of the hangings of 144 of Monmouth’s supporters, following the Monmouth rebellion in 1685.
View from an older section of the castle
The reconstructed castle has several interesting galleries on display. While I enjoyed the different sections in the museum, the following six are the exhibits that I enjoyed most.
(1) The tree of Somerset
The sculpture greets you as you enter the ground floor gallery of the museum. The 175 year old Somerset oak tree on Quantock hills was originally felled to be made into beams. However, it was created into an artwork by Simon O’Rourke, reflecting some of the stories and objects to be found at the Museum of Somerset.
(2) Plesiosaur fossil
The Plesiosaur fossil is displayed in the Great Hall of the castle museum. Discovered by a Somerset fisherman, this fossil of a Plesiosaur was the first complete skeleton to be found in Britain for more than a century. The marine reptile thrived during the Jurassic period but became extinct about 66 million years ago.
(3) The Low Ham Mosaic
The floor mosaic was found in the bath block of a 4th century Low Ham Roman villa. The mosaic floor, which tells the story of Vigil’s Dido and Aeneas, is considered to be one of the most famous objects surviving Roman Britain.
(4) Frome Hoard
The Frome hoard was discovered in 2010 and is the largest hoard of coins ever found in a single container in Britain. The 160 Kg hoard is thought to have been buried in the 3rd century at Witham friary near Frome.
(5) The Shapwick Canoe:
The canoe was made from an oak tree trunk felled in 350 BC and was found in 1906, preserved in peat.
(6) Wild Art: Nature Re-Imagined, an exhibition by the Neal brothers
During my visit to the museum, there was a lovely exhibition of photography, sculpture and paintings by the Neal brothers. The brothers’ art career stemmed from their inspiring childhood explorations of the Somerset countryside.
There is much to discover about the history of the region, at the Museum of Somerset.
Have you visited Taunton and its castle museum? What is your favourite exhibit, from your own visit, or from my special six?
[I am linking this post to City Tripping #62]
Perspectives Quilt 
Very cool, I’d no idea that oak could last so long!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That canoe built several thousand years ago , found well preserved, was amazing. Especially as it was possible to imagine people actually using them than having a mental image of what river transportation would have looked like back then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My in-laws live in Somerset, not far from Taunton and I didn’t know about any of this stuff! Think I might have to make a day-trip of it! #citytripping
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sure you will enjoy the Museum of Somerset in Taunton because it is a little gem of a museum, in a very historic setting.
LikeLike
I’ve never been to this museum, even though I visited a friend a few times when she was studying in Taunton. I love the tree – what a beautiful way to use the ancient oak.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The tree sculpture is beautiful. It grabs your attention as soon as you enter the gallery.
LikeLike
Really interesting and great pictures, I saw the mosaic on one IG and loved it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Catherine. It was incredible that they managed to uncover the complete mosaic floor with the whole story of Aeneid. There was another smaller mosaic on display but it was a small part of what would have been a larger mosaic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The plesiosaur fossil is incredible. What a fascinating museum. I don’t know Taunton and Somerset very well but this museum is at least one good reason to stop by! #citytripping
LikeLiked by 1 person
The museum is lovely and I would not have discovered the little gem, if not for my sister. There is also a restored medieval working mill nearby, but we didn’t have time to visit it.
LikeLike
It amazes what there is to find in so many places around the UK. I had no idea about the plesiosaur, the mosaic, the castle or the links to the rebellion! Worth a stop. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
LikeLiked by 1 person
The museum is certainly worth a stop and I am sure Minnie would love it too!
LikeLike
Wow, I can’t imagine they have all of these under the same roof. I think my favourite would be the fossil. And the mosaic floor! #CityTripping
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Museum of Somerset is a gem of a museum, not too big, but full of interesting history and objects on display. The plesiosaur fossil is amazing, especially as it was discovered intact.
LikeLike
That fossil! Isn’t it amazing? I bet you could look at the detail on the Tree of Somerset for ages though.
LikeLiked by 1 person