Ilchester Heritage Centre
Small volunteer-run museum in Ilchester Town Hall covering the town from Iron Age and Roman times to its gaol, with free entry on open days.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Ilchester Museum is a small local museum in Ilchester, Somerset, housed in the Town Hall House, a Grade II listed building of probably the 18th century that stands behind the town hall and faces the High Street. It was established in 1989 and is dedicated to the memory of James Stevens-Cox, the author of a history of the town published in 1947. It is owned by the Ilchester Town Trust and run by volunteers.
The displays follow the history of Ilchester from the people who lived here before the Romans, through Roman Lindinis and the town's medieval heyday, to the closure of its gaol after a scandal. Items include the key to the cell where prisoners condemned to death were held and a display on how Jane Austen's aunt was forced to live in Ilchester while she awaited trial for shoplifting.
Other objects in the collection include a complete female skeleton from the end of the Roman period and the town's 13th-century mace, the oldest staff of office in England. In the open season the centre also runs tours of the Roman cemetery.
Highlights
- Displays on pre-Roman, Roman and medieval Ilchester
- Key to the cell for prisoners condemned to death in the old gaol
- 13th-century town mace, the oldest staff of office in England
- Roman-period female skeleton
- Tours of the Roman cemetery in season
Permanent exhibition
- History of Ilchester – Displays on the people before the Romans, Roman Ilchester, the medieval town and the old gaol, with a changing yearly display.
- Founded
- 1989
- Operated by
- Ilchester Town Trust
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
The 2025 schedule marks all opening days as free entry.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Roman cemetery tours are booked at the museum or by emailing Ilchester.heritage@gmail.com. The site is very overgrown, so good walking shoes and clothes are advised. |
