Coates English Willow Visitor Centre

About the museum

The Coate family has grown willow on the Somerset Levels since 1819, and the visitor centre at Stoke St Gregory lets the public see the whole process, from the withy beds where willow is grown to the finished baskets in the Willow Shop. The centre is owned and run by the family.

The Willow Museum was started in the early 1970s by Chris and Anne Coate and keeps growing. Its collection of willow baskets and related items spans more than 150 years, from the 1850s to the present, and includes original pieces and replicas, from beach chairs to sparrow traps. Today the museum is managed by a charity, Coates English Willow Heritage Centre.

A film of about 40 minutes, The Heart of the Willow Industry, follows a year in the willow bed and the story from planting to weaving. Visitors can also walk through the withy beds or follow longer paths along the River Tone to a viewpoint on Windmill Hill. The courtyard has further shops and the Lemon Tree cafe.

Highlights

• Willow Museum with baskets from the 1850s to today
• Film The Heart of the Willow Industry (about 40 minutes)
• Willow Shop with baskets, furniture and bespoke work
• Walks through the withy beds and along the River Tone
• Courtyard shops and the Lemon Tree cafe

Permanent exhibitions

• Willow Museum – Baskets and willow items from the 1850s to the present, including original pieces and replicas such as beach chairs and sparrow traps.
• The Heart of the Willow Industry – A film of about 40 minutes on the willow year, from planting to weaving.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Coates English Willow Heritage Centre (charity, runs the Willow Museum); visitor centre owned by the Coate family

Admission & discounts

Museum entrance: adults £4.00, children £2.00.

Accessibility

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

The Woodland Trail is a reduced-mobility access trail that leads down to the river and back. Dogs on leads are welcome in all areas.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Stoke St Gregory lies north-east of Taunton and is signed from the A361 and A378. Local attraction signs mark the centre in the village; sat nav postcode TA3 6HY.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Lemon Tree cafe and the Willow Shop are in the courtyard, with further small shops.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit