Attractions in Taunton

The Somerset Heritage Centre provides state-of-the-art storage for the historic records of Somerset and access to them.

The Somerset Local Studies Library is located at the Heritage Centre. It holds published works relating to all aspects of Somerset life, including books, pamphlets, maps, journal articles and illustrations.

The main collections of the Somerset Studies Library are on open access shelves in the searchroom at the Somerset Heritage Centre. The items which are held in the strongrooms may be ordered in advance or on the day. 

Remote enquiries can be submitted by telephone, letter or email, although longer enquiries should be directed to our Research Service

The Museums Service’s reserve collection is also stored at the Somerset Heritage Centre.

We cannot display all the objects we hold but they’re available for researchers and visitors to look at by appointment. Objects may also be used in temporary exhibitions or loaned to other institutions.

The collection includes objects relating to Costume and Textiles, Fine and Decorative Art, Archaeology, Natural Sciences and Social History.

We also care for the Somerset Military Museum Trust and North Somerset Council collections at this site.