Watchet Boat Museum

About the museum

The Watchet Boat Museum occupies a railway goods shed at the Bristol and Exeter Railway terminus at Watchet, probably designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and completed in 1862, about ten years after his death. The building stands next to Harbour Road car park and opposite the station of the heritage West Somerset Railway, and visitors enter through the Watchet Visitor Centre.

The museum is the home of the flatner, a flat-bottomed, double-ended boat with no keel that was built for the mudflats of the Bristol Channel. Fishermen followed the channels through the mud as the tide went out. Displays include photographs, full-size local finds, fishing equipment and scale models on the mezzanine. Other exhibits cover related boats of the area, such as withy and turf boats used on the Somerset Levels, river boats used for salmon fishing and gore boats, as well as nets, charts, maps and knotwork.

The museum is run by volunteers of the Friends of the Flatner Association. They demonstrate rope-making on a mechanical machine, and visitors can join in and take home a length of Watchet Rope for a small donation. Most objects are uncased and can be touched.

Highlights

• Flatner boats of the Bristol Channel mudflats
• Brunel-era railway goods shed of 1862
• Scale models of local boats
• Rope-making demonstrations
• Play boat and trails for children

Permanent exhibition

• The flatner and Bristol Channel boats – Displays on the keelless flatner and related local boats, with photographs, fishing equipment and scale models.

Operated by

Friends of the Flatner Association

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free, and donations are gratefully received.

Accessibility

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

Entry is through the Watchet Visitor Centre over a level concrete threshold about 3 ft wide. Walkways are more than 3 ft wide, and a monitor shows the displays on the mezzanine so that visitors do not need to go upstairs. Most objects are uncased and can be touched. The building has large windows and natural light, no flashing lights, and background music that can be adjusted or turned off.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

Children can use a play flatner boat, a working ship’s wheel with an engine room telegraph, pulleys and weights, and dress-up items. Children’s trails and activity sheets are available.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at the top of Swain Street, next to the railway; it is the first building on the right after the railway bridge.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Watchet Rope can be bought at the Watchet Visitor Centre, which also sells gifts. Toilets and refreshments are not described by the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit