The South West Heritage Trust is delighted to be working in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council to display one of the most significant treasure discoveries ever made in England.
Coins from the Chew Valley Hoard will go on display at The Roman Baths next year. Opening from 8 January to 14 March 2027 Chew Valley Hoard: Coins, Kings & Conquest will be the first time the treasure has gone on public display outside London. The hoard was acquired for the nation thanks to major funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Art Fund.
The exhibition marks a milestone for The Roman Baths, becoming its first temporary spotlight exhibition and launching Bath & North East Somerset Council’s 2027 programme with one of England’s most important treasure discoveries.
The Chew Valley Hoard consists of 2,584 silver coins dating from around AD 1066-68, a pivotal moment in English history when power shifted from Harold II to William the Conqueror. Buried for safekeeping during this period of upheaval, the hoard is the largest coin hoard ever discovered from the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest.
The exhibition at The Roman Baths is part of a dynamic two-year community engagement programme led by the South West Heritage Trust to widen public access to this remarkable archaeological discovery. Through coins and special objects from The Roman Baths collection, visitors can uncover the story of the hoard, explore what it reveals about a period of conquest and change, and discover the important role Bath’s own mint played in the city’s history.
The exhibition forms part of the British Museum’s Bayeux Around Britain programme, supported by WorldQuant, and will be accompanied by a programme of talks and activities offering visitors the chance to delve deeper into one of the defining periods of English history.
The Roman Baths is one of the country’s great heritage destinations, and the Chew Valley Hoard is one of the most important treasure discoveries made in England in recent decades. Bringing them together creates a rare opportunity for residents and visitors to experience a nationally significant exhibition in Bath. As the first temporary exhibition at The Roman Baths, Chew Valley Hoard: Coins, Kings & Conquest marks an important milestone for the site and launches Bath & North East Somerset Council’s 2027 programme of events and experiences. Together, they celebrate the city’s remarkable heritage while reflecting the Council’s ongoing commitment to culture, learning and discovery, Councillor Paul Roper, Bath & North East Somerset Council
The exhibition at The Roman Baths is a special opportunity to share this nationally significant discovery. Through our partnerships with The Roman Baths and The British Museum we are bringing the remarkable story of the Chew Valley Hoard to life for audiences across the UK and look forward to opening our landmark exhibition at The Museum of Somerset in 2027, Sam Astill, South West Heritage Trust Chief Executive
