Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury
In the Abbey Farmhouse the social and domestic life of Victorian Somerset is described in reconstructed rooms and an exhibition which tells the life story of a farm worker, John Hodges, from the cradle to the grave.
The magnificent fourteenth-century Abbey Barn is the centrepiece of the Somerset Rural Life Museum. The barn and the farm buildings surrounding the courtyard contain displays illustrating the tools and techniques of farming in Victorian Somerset. Unusual local activities like willow growing, mud horse fishing, peat digging and cider making are included.
Somerset Rural Life Museum
Visitor Information
ADMISSION FREE
Opening hours: 10.00 - 5.00 Tuesday to Saturday and Bank Holiday Mondays. Closed Good Friday.
Museum shop and facilities for the disabled, baby-changing area. Free car park and coach lay-by. For further details contact the Somerset Rural Life Museum, Abbey Farm, Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 8DB Call: 01458 831197 Fax: 01458 834684
e-mail:county-museums@somerset.gov.uk
HOW TO GET THERE
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The barn shop is managed by the Friends of the Somerset Rural Life Museum (formerly known as the Friends of the Abbey Barn) who promote and support the work of the museum. New members are welcome.
Friends of Somerset Rural Life Museum
Exhibitions 2009
| 16th May - 5th July |
'Wool' Work by Somerset Artists and Craftspeople on the theme of Sheep. |
Click here for further details |
| 11th July - 31st August |
'Travels with Watercolour - Home and Abroad' by Lucy Willis. This exhibition combines watercolours and prints of distant places, as far flung as China and Africa, with images of Somerset, Devon and the artist's own garden. This varied exhibition marks the publication in paperback of Lucy's best-selling book Travels with Watercolour. |
Click here for further details |
| 5th September - 10th October |
'Prints, Pots and chairs' Work by Print South West with ceramics by Rodney Lawrence and Elizabeth Raeburn and rush-seated chairs by Lorraine Houlden. |
Click here for further details |
| 12th September - 3rd October |
'Portraits of the Somerset Carnivals' An exhibition of high definition portraits by Terry Flaxton. |
Click here for further details |
| 17th October - 21st November |
'IAMCIDER' A photographic exhibition by Bill Bradshaw. The culmination of five years' field work exploring Somerset's remarkable Cider heritage. For more information visit www.billbradshaw.co.uk . |
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| 28th November - 19th December |
West Country Craft Fair A great opportunity to purchase high quality gifts by local makers at very reasonable prices in a relaxed and attractive atmosphere.
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Events and Demonstrations 2009
Papermaking Workshop
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| July |
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| 4th |
11.00-3.00 |
Locker Hooking Demonstration by Linda Moore using canvas, twine and carded sheep's wool to make mats and bags. |
| 4th |
2.00-4.00 |
'The Good Sheperd' 1100 years in Bath and Wells Family events based on sheep and shepherding, including story telling, trails and activities. |
| 8th |
1.00-4.00 |
The Glastonbury Spinners Learn how to card wool and spin with a drop spindle. |
| 22nd |
1.00-2.00 |
Behind the Doors of the Abbey Barn A lunchtime talk in the Abbey Barn with Nic Wall on designing new doors for this Grade 1 Listed medieval building. |
| 25th |
11.00-4.00 |
Corn Dolly Demonstration with Leslie Hurford and children will be able to make a corn dolly. |
| 25th |
10.00-5.00 |
Spinning and Weaving Demonstration with the Somerset Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers |
| 28th |
10.30-12.00 & 1.30-3.00 |
Family Learning Archaeology Activities in the Abbey Barn with John French. Hands-on session using a dig reconstruction. For accompanied children. £3 per child. Please book in advance. |
| 29th |
11.00-4.00 |
Donkeys on Show from the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary. |
| 30th |
11.00-4.00 |
3D Paperwork Demonstration by Angela Janday. |
| 30th |
10.00-4.00 |
Braid Weaving Demonstration by Alkanet and Jack with a 16th century twist. Hands-on weaving opportunities for visitors. |
| 31st |
10.30-12.00 & 1.30-3.00 |
Family Learning Archaeology Activities in the Abbey Barn with Susie Simmons. Hands-on session using archaeological tools and a dig reconstruction. For accompanied children. £3 per child. Please book in advance. |
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| August |
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| 1st |
2.00-5.00 |
Lace Making Demonstration with Jane Thorne. |
| 4th |
10.30-12.00 & 1.30-3.00
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Farmyard Fun Family crafts activities for accompanied 3-8 year olds. £3 per child. Please book in advance. |
| 4th-8th |
10.00-4.30 |
Bill Moore Demonstration of Country Crafts. |
| 5th |
1.00-4.00 |
Stick Weaving Demonstration with Margaret Britton. |
| 6th |
10.30-12.30 |
Try your hand at Victorian Laundry with Zaida Haworth. |
| 11th |
11.00-4.00 |
Donkeys on Show from the Sidmouth Sanctuary. |
| 12th |
1.00-4.00 |
The Glastonbury Spinners Learn how to card wool and spin with a drop spindle. |
| 12th |
11.00-12.30 & 2.00-3.30 |
Rag Rug Workshop with Deborah Hastings for all ages. Please bring scissors and cotton. £5 per person. Advanced booking and children to be accompanied please. |
| 13th |
10.30-12.30 |
'Farmhouse Tea' Cooking in the Victorian kitchen with Zaida Haworth. Help to make scones and strawberry jam! |
| 14th |
10.30-4.00 |
Women's Land Army Elizabeth Boobyer talks about the work of the WLA with a collection of wartime memorabilia. |
| 15th |
10.00-5.00 |
Spinning and Weaving Demonstration with the Somerset Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers. |
| 18th |
10.00-4.00 |
Braid Weaving Demonstrations by Alkanet and Jack with a 16th century twist. Hands-on weaving for visitors. |
| 19th |
1.00-4.00 |
Stick Weaving Demonstration with Margaret Britton. |
| 20th |
10.30-12.30 |
Try your hand at Victorian Laundry with Zaida Haworth. |
| 21st |
11.00-4.00 |
Donkeys on Show from the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary. |
| 22nd |
10.00-4.00 |
Braid Weaving Demonstration by Alkanet and Jack with a 16th century twist. Hands-on weaving opportunities for visitors. |
| 22nd |
11.00-4.00 |
The Taunton Garrison Living History day with the Duke of Monmouth and his rebel army. Displays of 17th century weaponry and crafts. |
| 25th |
10.00-4.00 |
Braid Weaving Demonstration by Alkanet and Jack with a 16th century twist. Hands-on weaving opportunities. |
| 26th |
10.30-12.30 |
'Farmhouse Tea' Cooking in the Victorian kitchen with Zaida Haworth. Help to make cheese savouries and plum tart! |
| 27th |
10.00-4.00 |
Braid Weaving Demonstration by Alkanet and Jack with a 16th century twist. Hands-on weaving opportunities for visitors. |
| 29th |
11.00-4.0 |
Henry's Horrid History in the Abbey Barn. Enjoy a hysterical and historical time with Britain's lead Henry VIII impersonator! |
| 29th |
2.00-5.00 |
Lace Making Demonstration with Jane Thorne. |
| 31st |
11.00-4.00 |
Henry's Horrid History in the Abbey Barn. Enjoy a hysterical and historical time with Britain's lead Henry VIII impersonator! |
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| September |
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| 9th |
1.00-4.00 |
The Glastonbury Spinners Come and Learn how to card wool and spin with a drop spindle.. |
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| October |
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| 3rd |
2.00-5.00 |
Lace Making Demonstration with Jane Thorne. |
| 24th |
11.00-5.00 |
Cider Making Demonstration using a traditional mill and press and apples from the museum's orchard. Commentary on cider making and illustrated talks through the day on apple growing by expert Les Davies. |
| 28th |
1.00-4.00 |
Spinning Demonstration with the Glastonbury Spinners. |
| 29th |
10.30-1.00 & 1.30-3.00 |
Family Learning Activities with John French on an apple theme. For accompanied children. £3 per child. Please book in advance. |
| 31st |
11.00-4.00 |
Donkeys on Show from the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary. |
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| November |
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| 11th |
1.00-4.00 |
The Glastonbury Spinners Learn how to card wool and spin with a drop spindle. |
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| December |
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| 9th |
1.00-4.00 |
The Glastonbury Spinners Learn how to card wool and spin with a drop spindle. |
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e-mail:county-museums@somerset.gov.uk
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