Museum of Somerset, Taunton

The Museum of Somerset occupies the castle's historic buildings and presents a comprehensive survey of the county's past from prehistoric times to the modern era. The collection encompasses Roman finds from settlements across Somerset, medieval artefacts reflecting the castle's own ecclesiastical origins, and material culture from the Anglo-Saxon period that reveals the region's early development. Visitors encounter decorated pottery, coins, tools and domestic objects that illuminate the daily lives of Somerset people across the centuries, while more substantial displays explore the county's industrial heritage and agricultural traditions.

Beyond archaeology, the museum houses significant collections of decorative arts, including ceramics and textiles that showcase regional craftsmanship and design. The surrounding castle grounds provide context for understanding the site's dual identity as both a centre of political power and, later, a military garrison. The museum's location within the castle itself allows visitors to experience the buildings as functioning historical structures rather than merely as shells, and thematic displays are arranged to help visitors trace Somerset's transformation from a Dark Age territory into a prosperous agricultural and trading region. The comprehensive interpretation makes the museum particularly valuable for understanding the broader narrative of the West Country.