Bridgwater Accommodation

Bridgwater Arts Centre on Castle Street
The Blake Museum in the birthplace of Robert Blake
Admiral Blake's statue in the centre of Bridgwater
Blue plaques highlight historic sights around the town
You can still find evidence of Bridgwater's past as an important river port
The Unitarian Chapel where Coleridge gave an address on the abolition of the slave trade

Bridgwater Attractions and History

Bridgwater has an interesting history which is often overlooked in favour of the shopping on offer! You can find out all about the town's most famous son, Admiral Robert Blake, at the Blake Museum. Alternatively to find out more about Bridgwater's industrial past check out the Brick and Tile Museum at the old docks with its last remaining tile kiln.

The arts are very much alive in Bridgwater too. The Bridgwater Arts Centre is a community arts venue for theatre, dance, music, visual arts and film. Along with regularly changing art exhibitions you should be able to find something to suit your taste or even get involved in classes or workshops.

Featured Somerset Accommodation

Periton Park Court - Middlecombe

Victorian country house, now a range of self catering accommodation in Exmoor National Park. Livery on site, outdoor heated swimming pool, sleep 2 -7 people.

£200 to £640 Per Week (Seasonal)

Bridgwater Arts Centre

The Georgian Castle Street is where you'll find Bridgwater Arts Centre. This is a community arts centre that organises a whole host of arts events for you to get involved in or go along to see.

The Arts Centre showcases talent in theatre, dance, music, visual arts and film from the West Country and around the World. The Art Gallery shows exhibitions that change on a monthly basis.

The Centre also holds workshops and classes on a variety of subjects. There's so much to choose from you're best checking their website, link right, for up-to-date events. If you can call in there is a seasonal events brochure available. Open Mon-Fri 10.30am-5pm. Sat 10am-1pm. In term time the Centre is also open 7-9.30pm

Bridgwater Arts Centre, 11-13 Castle Street, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 3DD. Enquiries/Tickets Tel: 01278 422700/1. Fax: 01278 447402. Email: info@bridgwaterartscentre.co.uk

Admiral Blake Museum Bridgwater

Admiral Blake was one of the most important military commanders and most famous English admirals of the seventeenth century. In his time he was a national hero who distinguished himself in the English Civil War and then as a one of Cromwell's naval commanders. He was the son of a wealthy Bridgwater merchant and the museum on Blake Street tells the story of his life and achievements. The Museum is housed in the house in which he was born in 1598. The Blake collection includes items such as his sea chest.

The museum also looks at other significant events in Bridgwater's and Somerset's history such as its commercial and marine past as a successful river port, the Battle of Sedgemoor and the Duke of Monmouth and John Chubb - an eighteenth century merchant and artist whose paintings give a humorous insight into Bridgwater of the time. There is also an archaeological display and the museum organises a range of exhibitions and events throughout the year.

The museum is open Tues-Sat: 10am-4pm. Closed Bank Holidays. Admission if free.

The Blake Museum, Blake Street, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 3NB. Tel: 01278 456127. Email: museums@sedgemoor.gov.uk

Brick and Tile Museum

Down on East Dock is the Brick and Tile Museum which documents the local industry of brick and tile manufacturing.

The museum is centred around the last remaining tile kiln in Bridgwater. It was last fired in 1965 after which the Barham Brothers yard closed down.

You can find out all about the processes used in producing the bricks and the terracotta roof tiles that give many of Somerset's traditional towns and villages their character.

Opening times: Weds and Thursdays 9.30am-12.30pm and 1-4pm. Other times by arrangement. East Quay, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4AE. Tel: 01278 426088 or 01823 320200. Fax: 01823 320229. Email: county-museums@somerset.gov.uk.

Featured Somerset Accommodation

Periton Park Court - Middlecombe

Victorian country house, now a range of self catering accommodation in Exmoor National Park. Livery on site, outdoor heated swimming pool, sleep 2 -7 people.

£200 to £640 Per Week (Seasonal)