Home / Arts and Entertainment / UK's Top Treasure Hoard Spurs Museum Renovation
UK's Top Treasure Hoard Spurs Museum Renovation
4 Nov
Summary
- Museum of Somerset to reopen in 2027 with Norman-era silver pennies.
- The hoard, discovered in 2019, is the UK's largest from the Norman Conquest period.
- Closure enables essential building conservation and visitor experience upgrades.
The Museum of Somerset in Taunton will temporarily close its doors for essential conservation and improvement works. This strategic closure is in preparation for a significant exhibition planned for 2027, which will feature the largest hoard of silver pennies from the Norman Conquest era ever found in the UK. This remarkable collection, consisting of 2,584 coins, was discovered in Chew Valley in 2019 and is considered the highest-value treasure of its kind found in the United Kingdom.
The temporary closure, beginning in December for up to three months, will allow vital repairs to safeguard the historic building and its collections. The South West Heritage Trust, which purchased the hoard with significant funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and other grants, emphasized the importance of these works for long-term preservation. Alongside structural improvements, the museum is using this period to enhance the visitor experience with upgrades to its welcome area, shop, café, and interactive displays, ensuring both the building and its treasures are protected for future generations.
