Avalon Archaeology

About the museum

The site on Shapwick Road between Westhay and Shapwick grew out of the Willows Peat Company, run by the Rogers family from the 1960s. Peat cutting in the Somerset Levels turned up many archaeological finds, among them the Sweet Track, a prehistoric timber walkway, and the Somerset Levels Project led by John and Bryony Coles worked with the family to create the Peat Moors Centre. In 1992 the centre was extended to tell the story of the Iron Age lake villages, with two roundhouses, and the Somerset County Council took over the running of the heritage side.

The Peat Moors Centre closed to the public in 2009 and was used for education until 2014, when the last roundhouse collapsed. English Nature, now Natural England, had bought the site in 2006 as a base for its reserves, and it became the Avalon Marshes Centre, which has since been upgraded with a new office building and a refurbished craft gallery.

Today the museum on the site is Avalon Archaeology, run by the South West Heritage Trust. Volunteers have built reconstructions of a Saxon longhall, the dining room of a Roman villa with working underfloor heating, an Iron Age roundhouse that is still being completed, and a waterline replica of a Viking trading ship. An old excavation hut with a small cinema is also part of the visit. The wider Avalon Marshes Centre has a car park, a café, a craft gallery and a visitor information point.

Highlights

• Saxon longhall furnished with hand-made furniture
• Roman villa dining room with working hypocaust heating
• Replica of a Viking trading ship
• Iron Age roundhouse under construction
• Excavation hut with a small cinema, said to be the oldest surviving in the UK
• Café, craft gallery and visitor information point at the Avalon Marshes Centre

Permanent exhibition

• Avalon Archaeology reconstructions – Reconstructed Saxon longhall, Roman villa dining room, Iron Age roundhouse and Viking ship, with an excavation hut and cinema.

Operated by

South West Heritage Trust

Admission & discounts

Card payment only. The ticket gives free re-entry for the rest of the calendar year. Parking is free, with a suggested donation of 1.50 for one hour or 3 for the day.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Four disabled parking bays, two of them in front of the site gates. The entrance is about 20 m from the car park along tarmac and boardwalks, and a firm path suitable for wheelchairs links the buildings and the Viking ship. The Saxon longhall has level access through three wide doorways but is dimly lit and its furniture can make turning difficult in large electric wheelchairs. The Roman villa is reached by steps or a ramp, the Viking ship has a wooden floor that can be slippery when wet, and the internal rooms of the excavation hut are not wheelchair accessible. An accessible toilet with a RADAR key is next to the site at the Avalon Marshes Centre. Only assistance dogs are allowed on the site.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Reduced family tickets are available. School visits and teacher resources are offered, and the site holds events such as Viking combat days; the website does not give family programme details.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is on Shapwick Road between Shapwick and Westhay (grid reference ST 42603 41456; what3words: renovated.outsiders.guard).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

The Avalon Marshes Centre next door has free visitor Wi-Fi, the Marshes Hub Tea Stop (open daily), the Somerset Crafts Gallery and shop, a picnic area with a wildlife pond and secure bike parking. Toilets are open from 09:00 to 21:00.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 30 guests.

Celebrant-led weddings and handfasting ceremonies are offered in the period buildings. The Avalon Marshes Centre has two meeting rooms, for up to 30 and up to 15 people. Private and out-of-hours visits must be booked in advance.

Plan your visit