Please note, due to an ongoing building maintenance issue we may need to limit the number of documents we are able to produce each day. We will also need to limit new deposits of documents during this time.

We suggest making an appointment for an Archive and Local Studies research visit at the Somerset Heritage Centre, this enables you to pre-order the documents you would like to see, although we do have a limited number of drop in spaces which are allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Appointments are released early in the month for the following month.

Booking your space and ordering documents

• If you wish to view maps not available online then please book the map table.
• If you wish to view records on microfiche or microfilm, please book a microfiche/film reader. The USB reader allows you to save images to a USB stick (after the purchase of a photographic licence), but please bring your own memory stick with you.
• Up to 4 documents per session can be pre-ordered, and further documents can be requested during your session.
• For Saturday visits, up to 6 documents can be pre-ordered at the time of booking, and further documents can be requested during your visit.
• Please use our online catalogues to find the references for the items you wish to use.
• We have a broad range of research guides which may help get you started with your research. View them here.

For appointments to visit in June please book here:

We are launching a new booking system for all appointments from 1 July 2026 onwards, to make an appointment from this time please book here:

To learn more about the new booking system please visit our booking guide.

If you have particular requirements relating to your document requests please call us on 01823 337600.

Discovery Saturday Bookings

Booking is now open for our new look Saturdays that provide more ways to explore Somerset’s heritage. Visit the searchroom to undertake research, join a guided tour or bring along your archaeological finds to be identified. A separate booking is required for each.