Museum to close ahead of 'remarkable' exhibit opening

A museum is closing for repair work ahead of an exhibit of the highest-value treasure ever found in the UK opening.

The Museum of Somerset in Taunton will display in 2027 a hoard of 2,584 silver pennies from the time of the Norman conquest, which was found in Chew Valley in 2019.

Museum chiefs said the temporary closure will allow "vital conservation and improvements works to take place" to safeguard the building ahead of the exhibit opening.

Sam Astill, South West Heritage Trust chief executive, said: "These works are essential to protecting one of Somerset's most important historic buildings and the remarkable collections it houses."

Experts suspect the coins were likely buried for safekeeping in the turmoil of the Norman Conquest.

It is the largest hoard found in the UK from that period.

The South West Heritage Trust was awarded £4,420,527 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to buy the hoard.

The trust was also given £150,000 from the Art Fund, alongside smaller grants from the Friends of The Museum of Somerset and the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society.

Astill added: "By undertaking this work now, we can help safeguard the building and its collections for generations to come.

"We're using this closure period as an opportunity to improve the visitor experience throughout the museum.

"Alongside the conservation works, we'll be enhancing our welcome area, shop and café, while refreshing interpretation and interactive displays."

The Great Hall has already shut, with the rest of the museum following suit at the start of December for up to three months.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.