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🎲 Games played. 🧩 Stories Imagined. 🎨 Creations ma 🎲 Games played. 🧩 Stories Imagined. 🎨 Creations made.
PLAY closes this Saturday, so here's a look back at some of the fun. If a visit has been on the list, now is the time!

#SomersetPlayExperience #LastChance
It’s happening🚨The Ilminster Ring is going on disp It’s happening🚨The Ilminster Ring is going on display for the first time!🎉💍To celebrate, there will be THREE days of Roman-themed fun this October Half Term, including...
⚔️ Ring making
🛡️ Roman army drills
👑 Toga dress-up and Roman names
🏺 Crafts, trails and more

📅 Saturday 24 October
📅 Tuesday 27 October
📅 Thursday 29 October

A perfect opportunity for young Romans, budding archaeologists and history lovers to celebrate the arrival of Somerset's newest Roman treasure.

#ilminsterring #octoberhalfterm #familyfun #somersethistroy #archaeology
WE ARE HIRING: Fundraising Manager 📍 Location: Som WE ARE HIRING: Fundraising Manager
📍 Location: Somerset Heritage Centre, Taunton (hybrid working available)
 💷 Salary: £39,909
 ⏳ Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
 📜 Contract: Permanent
 🎯 Experience: A heritage background is not required.

We are looking for an experienced fundraiser who can secure income, build strong relationships and identify new opportunities. We welcome applicants from across the charitable sector, including arts and culture, health, education, environmental and community organisations.

This is a unique opportunity to become South West Heritage Trust's first dedicated Fundraising Manager and help shape the future of fundraising across the organisation. Beyond developing funding applications, you'll build fundraising capacity, establish systems and processes, develop new income streams and support the Trust's long-term sustainability.

Working with senior leaders and colleagues across the Trust, you'll create funding opportunities that support exhibitions, learning programmes, collections projects and community initiatives, while helping shape fundraising strategy and future growth.

Why join us?
🔹 Be the Trust's first dedicated Fundraising Manager and build a new function from the ground up.
 🚀 Help influence the future direction of a charity with an annual turnover of more than £5 million.
 🏛️ Work across museums, archives, learning, communities and heritage projects with genuine social impact.
 🏡 Hybrid working arrangements available.
 ✈️ 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
 ⭐ Join a collaborative organisation recognised as a National Portfolio Organisation by Arts Council England.

For an informal discussion or if you experience any difficulties with the recruitment process, contact Ann Bradford (HR and Governance Manager) at ann.bradford@swheritage.org.uk.

For full details and how to apply, visit our website and view the Jobs section. Please note that CVs are not accepted as applications.

❌ Closing date: Friday 30 October 2026
 🗓️ Interview date: Wednesday 11 November 2026

#HeritageJobs #WeAreHiring #FundraisingManager
The Domesday Book is famous, but what about the ma The Domesday Book is famous, but what about the manuscript behind it?

Join author Chris Lewis for a fascinating journey into Exon Domesday, an extraordinary document held in Exeter for over 800 years. Learn how this overlooked manuscript survived, what it reveals about medieval England, and why it's changing the way historians understand the creation of Domesday Book.

🔎 Expect mystery, discovery and plenty of surprising insights along the way.

VCH Annual Lecture: Making Domesday in the West Country 
🗓Thursday 29 October
⏰7:30pm
📍Museum of Somerset

Head to The Museum of Somerset 'What's On' page to find out more and book

@exetercathedral 

#ExonDomesday #DomesdayBook #HistoryTalk #NormanEngland #MedievalHistory
With only about a week to go until PLAY closes, we With only about a week to go until PLAY closes, we have been looking back at our favourite moments across the exhibition.☺️ It has been great to see so many smiles (and not just from the kids!)👀
Learn, play and craft at Toddler Explorers! The m Learn, play and craft at Toddler Explorers! 
The morning session for Toddler Explorers: Night Animals is fully booked - tickets remaining for 1.30 pm, this Friday 2 October. 

🦉Listen to the story Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
🍂Make a bat and mole picture and leafy hedgehog.
🦊Discover museum objects from the collections and learn about the animals that only come out at night!

🔗Book now: Toddler Explorers: Night Animals 

#toddlersofsomerset #SomersetFamilies @somersetformums  What's On Somerset
Join Toddler Explorers this Friday 2 October to le Join Toddler Explorers this Friday 2 October to learn, play and craft! - This week's theme is Night Animals. Limited availability for 1.30 pm. Morning session fully booked.
🌟 We’re Hiring – Exhibition Technician 🏛️ The Sou 🌟 We’re Hiring – Exhibition Technician 🏛️

The South West Heritage Trust is looking for a skilled and practical Exhibition Technician to help create high‑quality, engaging exhibitions across the Trust's museum sites.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong hands‑on making skills, an eye for design, and a passion for crafting memorable visitor experiences. Working as part of our Design and Curatorial team, you’ll support the creation, installation and maintenance of exhibitions and displays, producing bespoke elements and ensuring the galleries look their best.

You’ll play a key role in delivering a varied programme of exhibitions and heritage projects, working flexibly across the year depending on project needs, with occasional evening and weekend work.

Key Information
📍 Location: Somerset Heritage Centre, Taunton
⏰ Hours: Annualised hours (equivalent to 14.8 hours per week / approx. 770 hours per year)
💼 Contract: Annualised Hours
💷 FTE Salary: £31,528 (Pro Rata)

Apply Now ⬇️
To read the full job description and apply, please visit our website.
Please note that CVs are not accepted — applications must be submitted using the South West Heritage Trust application form.

The South West Heritage Trust is committed to building an organisation as diverse as the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from groups under‑represented within the heritage sector.

#hiring #heritagejobs #museumjobs #exhibitions #creativecareers #southwestheritagetrust
🌲 We’re wildly excited to be a part of Taunton Tog 🌲 We’re wildly excited to be a part of Taunton Together 2026! 

Join us at the Museum of Somerset on Saturday 26 September and get creative with screen printing! 🎨✨

Inspired by this year’s Wild About Our Town theme, you can print a specially designed nature themed artwork to take home. 🌿

And that’s not all! There’s plenty more to explore at the Museum of Somerset, including the PLAY experience, with free admission for children. 🎲🐍

✨Taunton Together 2026
📍 Museum of Somerset
📅 Saturday 26 September
🕙 Screen printing from 10.00 am – 3.00 pm

We can’t wait to see you there! 🌿

#TauntonTogether #MuseumOfSomerset #WildAboutOurTown #Taunton #SomersetPlayExperience @tauntontowncouncil @whatsontaunton
🪁PLAY is here for only 3 more weeks! Make sure you 🪁PLAY is here for only 3 more weeks! Make sure you find some time to go before it closes⏰Have you visited yet? Which section did you enjoy most? Let us know in the comments💬👉 The Play Experience is an interactive exhibition that invites you to get hands-on, create, explore, and rediscover familiar toys and games. Share memories, spark your imagination, and enjoy playful moments for all ages. Kids go free🎉Adults £5 on the door/£4 online in advance💷

#SomersetPlayExperience #interactiveentertainment #KidsActivities #Weekendplans
🌟Toddler Story Time Activity Sessions is back for 🌟Toddler Story Time Activity Sessions is back for this term! 📖
Looking for a fun activity for you and your pre-schooler? Bring them down to the museum for a bit of fun. It is a great way for the little ones to make friends (and adults too!). 

🗓Every Tuesday and Thursday (term time only)
⏰10:30-11:30 

See you there💙

#toddleractivties #stroytime #preschoolers #thisterm
💦🫧This time last week, we had a wonderful time at 💦🫧This time last week, we had a wonderful time at Toddler Explorers: Wash Day! We enjoyed the story Pants, then got stuck into sorting the washing before making a splash washing clothes the old-fashioned way. 💦🚿🫧

These sessions are designed for children aged 1 to 3 and their grown-up. There's stories, crafts, museum objects and hands-on activities that encourage learning through play. 

Enjoy a new adventure to enjoy every month. 🍂🦔Coming up next is 'Night Animals' on Fri 2 Oct! We'll be sharing the story Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and getting creative with a bat and mole picture and a leafy hedgehog craft. 🦉🦇

Toddler Explorers: Night Animals 📆Fri 2 Oct 🕥10.30 am or 1.30 pm 
📍 The Museum of Somerset 🎟️ Booking essential 
👉 https://swheritage.org.uk/events/toddler-explorers-tmos/

You might also be interested in Toddler Explorers: Hunkypunk Pumpkins  at 
📍Somerset Rural Life Museum on Friday 16 October. Listen to Colin’s Grandma by Holly Swain and decorate a pumpkin. 🎃

#ToddlerExplorers #SomersetFamilies #LearningThroughPlay #FamilyFun
What was your favourite way to play growing up?🛝Di What was your favourite way to play growing up?🛝Did you dress up and role play or maybe loved playing outdoors? 👚Were you a fan of strategic board games?♟️ Was there a particular video game you were obsessed with?🎮

Whatever it was, those moments of imagination, adventure and fun often become some of our happiest childhood memories. Tell us yours below! 💬✨

#80schildhood #90schildhood #SomersetPlayExperience #gaming #nostalgia
Looking for something to do this weekend? Here is Looking for something to do this weekend? Here is what is happening at Somerset Heritage Sites…

Let us know in the comments if any of them interest you💬

Opening this Saturday, Somerset Art Weeks: Cultural Connection is a major programme of contemporary art, archaeology and community engagement. The programme features a headline exhibition in the Abbey Barn showcasing work by three internationally acclaimed women artists, a fascinating display of archaeological collections alongside work by contemporary Somerset artists in the Mapstone Gallery, and an intimate gallery space in The Granary featuring work created through Somerset Art Works’ engagement programme.

Somerset Rural Life Museum is hosting three printing workshops led by artist Jackie Curtis, where you’ll be able to create your own unique prints inspired by nature. With coffee and tea included, it’s a lovely way to relax, unwind and get creative.🖼️

Learn an ancient craft at Avalon Archaeology. Spend two days immersed in the world of timber framing and discover how to transform axe-hewn timber into a functional building. Perfect for those who don’t find IKEA instructions challenging enough!🪓

Interested in local history? The wonderful volunteers at the Museum of Somerset are leading a historical tour of Castle Green, exploring its story from Saxon origins to Art Deco design through its beautiful buildings and the events that have shaped the site over the centuries.
🚨 Only 4 days left to secure your place! 🚨 Get rea 🚨 Only 4 days left to secure your place! 🚨
Get ready for an epic large-scale game with SW Megagames where strategy, teamwork and roleplay collide. You won't just watch the story unfold... you'll be at the heart of it.

👽 The story: Aliens are coming. The world is watching. Humanity's fate is in your hands.

Whether you're a seasoned Dungeons & Dragons player, a board game enthusiast, or simply looking to try something completely different and meet like-minded people, this could be the most exciting and unforgettable day of your year.😆

Find out more about the different roles and factions on the SW Megagames website. The link is on the event page.

🎟️ Don't miss out. Book your place before it's too late!

#SWMegagames #Megagame #TabletopGaming #RoleplayGames #DnDCommunity #GamingEvent #SciFiGaming #SomersetEvents
Reason why we would encourage adults to come to PL Reason why we would encourage adults to come to PLAY🧠 Playing is good for your brain, helping to spark creativity and provide valuable cognitive rest.💛 The exhibition objects are sure to bring back nostalgic memories of childhood and remind you of the joy of play.🏆 It's a chance to challenge your kids and prove you've still got it. 😄 Most importantly, it's a reminder that play isn't just for children. It's something we can all benefit from.
#somersetplayexperience #adultsplaying #play #nostalgia
Join us for Toddler Explorers: Wash Day on Friday Join us for Toddler Explorers: Wash Day on Friday 4 September. Prepare to get wet!
Smiles all around 😊 Visited the Play Experience ye Smiles all around 😊
Visited the Play Experience yet? With just a few weeks of the summer holidays remaining, ideas for keeping the kids entertained may be running low.💡 A trip to The Museum of Somerset and The Play Experience could be the perfect answer.👏

🎟Kids go free, and adult tickets are £5, or £4 when pre-booked online.

📸 @sm_hendry_photography 

#somersetplayexperience #smiles #happykids #happyparents #retrotoys #retrogames
🌟 Little explorers wanted! 🌟 Join us at the Museu 🌟 Little explorers wanted! 🌟

Join us at the Museum of Somerset for Toddler Explorers, now bookable right through to March. 

What is there to look forward to?
🎨 Themed arts & crafts 📚 A delightful storytime
🔎 Active learning inspired by real museum objects

Expect stories, crafts, play and plenty of opportunities to learn and explore together.

📍 Museum of Somerset
 📅 Monthly from September to March
 🎟️ Booking essential

Book now via the link in our bio or visit: swheritage.org.uk/events 

 #ToddlerExplorers #SomersetFamilies #ToddlerActivities #FamilyDaysOut #LearningThroughPlay #SomersetMums #SomersetDads #ThingsToDoInSomerset #EarlyYearsActivities #TauntonFamilies #MuseumFun
4 Things For kids to do Instead of Screen Time. 1️ 4 Things For kids to do Instead of Screen Time. 1️⃣Make a puppet and have a puppet show - it doesn't need to be complicated, even a spoon with eyes behind a table works!👀2️⃣Go to the park and fly a kite - this is extra fun if you have two and make it into a competition🏆3️⃣Master new skipping skills - have you ever trried skipping with high knees?🦵4️⃣Explore The Play Experience - if you  find youself near Taunton, The Play Experience has lots to offer. Kids can learn to play Chess or Draughts, Hula Hoop, dress up and get creative. You can also point out things you had as a kid, and explain why it was better than their Ipad♟️Kids go FREE, Adults £5 on the door or £4 prebooking online 🎟️ Which idea do you think you will try? Or if you have anymore, leave them in the comments to inspire others✨

#ScreenFreeKids #SomersetPlayExperience #ActiveKids #learningthroughplay
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South West Heritage Trust is a charity supported by Somerset Council, Devon County Council, Arts Council England and other generous funders

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South West Heritage Trust is a charity and a company limited by guarantee registered in England. Registered office: Somerset Heritage Centre, Brunel Way, Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton, Somerset TA2 6SF. Company number: 09053532. Charity Number: 1158791. VAT Registration Number: 197221592.


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