Discover Somerset’s Rural Life from the 1800s Onwards

Welcome to Somerset Rural Life Museum. We are a unique heritage attraction on the former Abbey Farm, just below Glastonbury Tor. Here you can explore Somerset’s rural life from the 1800s onwards and learn more about the county’s heritage. Discover a series of galleries within the farmhouse and cowshed, check out the farmyard and orchard and visit the magnificent 14th-century Abbey Barn – one of the West Country’s finest buildings.

Farmyard Galleries

The cowshed is now home to two farmyard galleries which tell the story of working life in rural Somerset. Explore rural trades, food and farming, working the life and rural crafts. Step back in time to absorb the atmosphere of the Farmhouse Kitchen laid for dinner in the 1940s.

The Abbey Barn

The medieval Abbey Barn is one of the West Country’s finest buildings. It was built in the 1340s and was used to store produce for Glastonbury Abbey.

Did you know you can now get married in this magnificent space?

The Orchard

Somerset is famous for its apple orchards and its cider. The orchard at Abbey Farm grows apples of local origin and helps to preserve some of the old and rare varieties.

What’s On at the Museum > 
For exhibitions, talks, workshops and family activities browse our What’s On pages to find events for everyone, all year round.

Can I hire this space?> 
The 14th-century Abbey Barn and contemporary Community Learning Space are available for hire, the perfect settings for corporate and social occasions.

Read our blogs > 
Read our stories and discover our latest news from across the South West Heritage Trust.

Who lived at the Abbey Farm?> 
The Abbey Farmhouse was built in 1894 and was chiefly a dairy farm. The Mapstone family were tenants of Abbey Farm from 1917.

Admissions

We are open 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Tuesday to Saturday (1 Nov to Easter)
Tuesday to Sunday (Easter to 31 Oct)

Open bank holiday Mondays

Pricing

Adult: £11
Concessions*: £9
Child (under 5): FREE
Child (aged 5-17) £5.25
Family (2 adults and up to four children aged 5 – 17) £25
Family (1 adult and up to four children aged 5 – 17) £16

Museum Unlimited Pass

With the Museum Unlimited Annual Pass you pay just once then visit for a whole year free of charge. 

You don’t need to purchase your Museum Unlimited Annual Pass in advance but it can speed up entry to the Museum, especially on busy days.

FAQs

  • What is included in the Museum Unlimited Annual Pass?

    With the Museum Unlimited Annual Pass you pay just once then visit for a whole year free of charge.  Passes are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

    The Annual Pass provides free entry to the Museum during our normal opening hours. You can re-visit as often as you like during the 12-month period.  The Annual Pass is valid for many of our daytime activities including Family Fun Days and Seasonal Events. Some activities are excluded from this offer including Father Christmas, Workshops, Toddler Explorers and out-of-hours events such as the Wassail Evening.

  • What are the concessions?

    Students aged 18-25, those receiving Pension Credit, those receiving benefits (income support, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit.) Carers are not required to purchase an admission ticket.

  • What are the Terms and Conditions?

    Museum Unlimited Annual Pass Terms and Conditions

    1. Your Annual Pass is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

    2. Return visits are subject to normal opening dates and times.

    3. Upon first issue of the Annual Pass adults will be required to sign their pass.  In doing so they agree to the terms and conditions of use.

    4. A valid Annual Pass is required for re-entry.  We reserve the right to request another form of identity when re-visiting.

    5. Group and school admission and promotional offers are valid for single entry only.

    6. Annual Passes are not valid for some events and activities.  See our What’s On section for further information.

    7. Annual Passes are non-transferable.  The Museum reserves the right to retain an Annual Pass that is being used fraudulently.

    8. Annual Passes are non-refundable. Under charity law, we are not permitted to refund donations once the payment has been processed.

    9. Lost or damaged cards are replaceable upon proof of identity (e.g. a driving licence). Please ask at reception when you next visit the Museum.

    10. Children under the age of 5 go free and will not be issued with an Annual Pass.

    11. Carers accompanying disabled visitors can access the site for free and will not be issued with an Annual Pass.

    12. Those in possession of a complimentary ticket will not be issued with an Annual Pass (unless otherwise stated on the complimentary ticket).

    13. When a Family Pass is purchased, passes will be issued to each member of the group.

    14. Children aged 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult. The Museum reserves the right to refuse entry when necessary.

    15. We reserve the right to vary the prices of, and available combinations for, the Museum Unlimited Passes which we offer.

    16. The South West Heritage Trust reserves the right to close the Museum to Annual Pass holders on up to 10 days per year.

  • Does my carer need an Annual Pass?

    No – if a disabled visitor requires another person as their carer to enable them to access the museum then this person is eligible for free entry. Carers will not be issued with an Annual Pass.

  • I am visiting the Museum with a group. Will we be issued with an Annual Pass?

    Group and school admissions are valid for single entry only and visitors will not be issued with an Annual Pass.  Up-grades to Adult and Concession Museum Unlimited Annual Passes are available to groups on the day of entry. Please ask at reception.

  • How do I renew my Annual Pass?

    Your annual pass can be renewed when you next visit the Museum.  Please bring your current pass or a form of identification (e.g. a driving licence).

  • Can I still purchase an Annual Pass even if I am not eligible for Gift Aid?

    es – you can purchase an Annual Pass whether you add Gift Aid to your donation or not. Gift Aid simply allows us to claim money back from the government on tax that you’ve already paid.

  • What is your policy on unaccompanied children?

    Children aged 14 and over, with a valid pass, are permitted to enter the museum unaccompanied. The museum reserves the right to refuse entry when necessary.

  • I have lost or damaged my Annual Pass. What should I do?

    Your annual pass can be replaced when you next visit the Museum.  Please bring proof of identity with you (e.g. driving licence).  The replacement Pass will carry the same expiry date as the original, which will no longer be valid.

  • Can you refund my annual pass?

    Unfortunately we are not able to refund your Annual Pass. Under charity law we aren’t permitted to refund donations once the payment has been processed.

  • How do I let you know if I have changed my contact details?

    Please let us know when you next visit or by e-mail at SRLM@swheritage.org.uk

  • I have a Family Ticket and have 4 children over 5 and one under five. The 4-year-old will become 5 during the 12-month Annual Pass period. Do I need to upgrade our ticket on that child’s 5th birthday?

    No – there will be no additional charge until the Annual Pass renewal date.

  • Can I purchase an Annual Pass in conjunction with my Kids Go Free or Golden Apple voucher?

    Promotional offers are for single entry only.  Adults accompanying children who are entering with a voucher will be eligible for Adult or Concession Museum Unlimited Annual Passes.

  • What is Gift Aid?

    Gift Aid is a scheme that allows charities like us to benefit from the tax you’ve already paid. There is no additional cost to you but we will receive an extra 25p from the Government for every pound of your donation. For a charity to claim Gift Aid on your donation you must have paid UK Income or Capital Gains Tax that financial year. The tax you pay must be at least equivalent to the amount of Gift Aid the charity will reclaim on your donation that tax year.

Location

Somerset Rural Life Museum can be found in Glastonbury. The entrance to the Museum is on Bere Lane, near to the roundabout adjoining Chilkwell Street.

Parking for up to 40 cars is available on site.

The Museum is only 10 minutes walk from the centre of Glastonbury and Glastonbury Abbey, 5 minutes walk from Chalice Well and 10 minutes walk from the base of Glastonbury Tor.

Address: Abbey Farm, Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, BA6 8DB

What3words: blitz.cherished.community

Grid Ref: ST 50373 38510

  • Accessibility

    Most of the Museum buildings are fully accessible. There are accessible toilets, automatic doors and a lift.

    There is a car park on site with three dedicated disabled parking bays. The entrance to the Museum is wheelchair accessible and is approximately 30 metres from the car park.

    There is level access in all accessible areas with space to manoeuvre between displays. Some doors open automatically. There are accessible toilets on the ground floor and adjacent to the Community Learning Space.

    Unfortunately we do not allow dogs into the Museum galleries, the orchard or the Abbey Barn, except for assistance dogs. Dogs are welcome in our outside courtyard space, where there is seating available. Admission charges do not apply to visitors who only want to use the café. Museum staff will be available to direct you.

    Please contact us if you require assistance in accessing the Museum.

  • Parking

    Parking for up to 40 cars is available on site. Parking is free for museum visitors, and those using the café and shop.

    Aerial view of entrance and parking off Bere Lane. 

The Grain Store Café

Need to know:

Open 10.00 am – 4.00 pm (last orders 3.30 pm) Tuesday to Saturday (1 Nov to Easter)
Tuesday to Sunday (Easter to 31 Oct)

Free parking is available on site.

The Grain Store Café is within Somerset Rural Life Museum. It is between Glastonbury Town Centre and the Tor. You are welcome to visit the café even if you aren’t visiting the Museum.

Enjoy the rustic indoor seating inside the Grain Store Café or sit in the farmyard with terrific views of Glastonbury Tor.

Whether you’re visiting the museum or just passing by on your way to the Tor, the café is the ideal place to stop for refreshments. The café is run by father-and-daughter team John and Charley Higdon, who also run My Fine Deli, a popular café, restaurant, and deli on Glastonbury High Street. 

View Our Current Menu

Enjoy Somerset’s great-tasting produce at the Grain Store Café. There’s a variety of breakfast and lunch options on the menu, all made with fresh, local ingredients. We offer a range of light lunches such as ploughman’s, mezze boards, sandwiches, and homemade soup of the day – all with vegan and gluten-free options. For afternoon tea, indulge with cakes and scones, or perhaps a beer, cider, or wine in the sunshine of the enclosed farmyard. Menu is subject to change. 

Bringing your own food?

You are welcome to bring your own food. You can picnic in the orchard surrounded by apple trees of local origin including some old and rare varieties. 

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Museum Shop

Browse our wide selection of gifts and souvenirs. We have everything from locally sourced, Somerset-themed gifts celebrating local artists and artisans, to farm-themed fun gifts for little ones. You will also be able to purchase prints and greetings cards relating to our latest exhibitions

The shop is situated on the ground floor and is free to enter.

  • Plan your visit

    You don’t need to be visiting the Museum to enjoy the café, but if you’d like to browse the galleries  then a Museum Unlimited Pass will grant you unlimited visits for a whole year. Purchasing your pass in advance isn’t required but it can speed up entry to the Museum, especially on busy days.  Click here to purchase your Pass in advance. 

  • Accessibility

    Most of the Museum buildings are fully accessible. There are accessible toilets, automatic doors and a lift.

    There is a car park on site with three dedicated disabled parking bays. The entrance to the Museum is wheelchair accessible and is approximately 30 metres from the car park.

    There is level access in all accessible areas with space to manoeuvre between displays. Some doors open automatically. There are accessible toilets on the ground floor and adjacent to the Community Learning Space.

    Unfortunately we do not allow dogs into the Museum galleries, the orchard or the Abbey Barn, except for assistance dogs. Dogs are welcome in our outside courtyard space, where there is seating available. Admission charges do not apply to visitors who only want to use the café. Museum staff will be available to direct you.

    Please contact us if you require assistance in accessing the Museum.

Group Tours

Somerset Rural Life Museum is a unique heritage attraction on the former Abbey Farm, just below Glastonbury Tor. Here you can explore Somerset’s rural life from the 1800s onwards and learn more about the county’s heritage. 

We welcome group visits which include a guided tour of the Museum and its collections, and you can discover more about the Mapstone family who lived and worked at Abbey Farm.

Group Tours

Our special discounted rate for group visits (12 or more) includes a complimentary guided tour of the Museum which can be tailored from 30 minutes to one hour.

Daytime discounted group rate:
£8 per person
£7 concessions
£4.50 per child (scout, guide groups etc.)

Evening (from 5.00 pm) group rate:
£16.50 per person. Refreshments are available on request. Includes exclusive Museum access and a guided tour.

  • Private Hire

    The Museum offers two spaces available for private hire; a bright contemporary Community Learning Space previously the old tractor shed, and the atmospheric, 14th-century Abbey Barn. 

    Find out more
  • Events

    For exhibitions, talks, workshops and family activities browse our What’s On pages to find events for everyone, all year round.

    Browse our events