Avalon Marshes Centre, Somerset

Details

Accessibility

Disability Parking

Disability Toilet

See https://swheritage.org.uk/avalon-archaeology/visiting/

Brief description

"The centre is at the site of the former Peat Moors Centre which shut several years ago.

The Avalon Marshes Centre sits at the heart of Somerset’s Avalon Marshes. Owned and managed by Natural England the centre has visitor information, café, craft shop, replica historic buildings, classroom, meeting room, car park and toilets. It is also an important focus for educational and other events and is the central hub for the management of the Avalon Marshes nature reserves providing a base for the RSPB, Somerset Wildlife Trust, the Hawk & Owl Trust and Natural England. The replica buildings are in the care of the South West Heritage Trust. The centre provides a good base from which to Explore the area and has undergone significant improvements in recent years with more to come.  

A short walk up the road is Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve (NNR); close by are Ham Wall NNR, Shapwick Moor, Catcott Complex and Westhay Moor NNR. All are within easy cycling distance and have car parking. To find out more go to our Nature Reserve pages.

The Avalon Marshes Centre is linked to Glastonbury by the Bittern Trail. This almost entirely traffic free cycle track through Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall NNRs and links into National Cycle Route 3.

At the Centre you will find two replica buildings under construction. One is a Romano British dining room with a working hypocaust, the other a Saxon longhall based on the 9th century Saxon Royal Palace at Cheddar. These buildings have been constructed by the South West Heritage Trust with their Hands on Heritage volunteers. The buildings were funded by the Heritage Lottery funded Avalon Marshes Landscape Partnership Scheme. They are currently only open to view inside for special events only – keep an eye on our Events page. You can however view them from the garden at the Centre.

In addition, the site also boasts the Bulleid and Gray hut, which formed the base for the archaeological excavations at the Lake Villages. These were undertaken by archaeologists Bulleid and Gray, in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.  The hut was part of the Peat Moors Centre, which closed a few years ago, but is to be relocated next to the two new replica buildings."

https://avalonmarshes.org/explore/places-to-visit/avalon-marshes-centre/

https://avalonmarshes.org/explore/places-to-visit/avalon-archaeology/

"Iron Age Roundhouse

Roundhouse based on those in the Glastonbury Lake Village (under construction in 2023)

Bulleid and Gray Cinema

The world’s oldest excavation hut (used in the Meare Lake Village excavations) and a cinema showing short films on local archaeology

About Avalon Archaeology

The Avalon Archaeology site has been created as a labour of love by a team of volunteers working one day a week since 2015, with only a short, enforced break due to Covid. It began as a small part of the (Award Winning) Heritage Lottery-funded Avalon Marshes Landscape Partnership Project and was intended to give volunteers practical hands-on experience of traditional building techniques by building archaeological reconstructions. Over 110 volunteers have contributed their time and expertise." 

Weblink: www.avalonarchaeology.org.uk

"Avalon Archaeology is a lovingly crafted reproduction of Somerset’s heritage in the heart of the Avalon Marshes. History is brought to life with richly decorated archaeological reconstructions filled with hand-crafted furniture and authentic art.

A dedicated band of over 110 volunteers have worked one day a week since 2015 to create faithful reconstructions of buildings, including a Saxon longhall, the dining room of a Roman villa (with working hypocaust heating) and an Iron Age roundhouse (under construction). These have been joined by a waterline replica of a Viking trading ship and the oldest surviving archaeological excavation hut in the UK, with its own mini cinema."

Avalon Marshes Partnership

Avalon Marshes Centre

Shapwick Road

Westhay

Glastonbury BA6 9TT

+ Avalon Archaeology, Avalon Marshes Centre, Shapwick Road, Westhay, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 9TT

Email

info@avalonmarshes.org

Phone

01458 860556

Website

http://avalonmarshes.org/explore/avalon-marshes-centre/

https://avalonmarshes.org/explore/places-to-visit/avalon-marshes-centre/

Directions

"what3words: renovated.outsiders.guard

By Bike:

Route 3 of the National Cycle Network runs through the heart of the area linking Glastonbury, Wells, Bridgwater and Taunton. Route 33 provides a link with Highbridge station and Route 26 a link with Castle Cary station. The Bittern Trail track links the Avalon Marshes Centre with Glastonbury and runs through the centre of Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall nature reserves. To find out more go to our cycling page.  http://avalonmarshes.org/explore/plan-your-visit/#anchor-getting-around  Getting Around:

Cycling is the best way to explore the wider Avalon Marshes. The roads, tracks and droves are flat and most are quiet. The Avalon Marshes Centre makes a good base to explore from. To find out more about cycling in the Avalon Marshes go to our Cycling page.

Walking is also a great way to explore the nature reserves, adjoining villages and wider countryside. To find out more go to our Walking page. The nature reserves have tracks, trails and  boardwalks some of which are wheelchair and pushchair friendly. To find out more go to our Nature Reserves pages

By Car:

There is good road access to the Avalon Marshes via the M5, A303 and A39. The Avalon Marshes Centre is sign posted from the A39 and B3151 (the Glastonbury to Wedmore road).  The principal nature reserves all have car parks and there is plenty of parking in Glastonbury and Street."

"Avalon Archaeology can be found within the Avalon Marshes Centre on the Somerset Levels. The entrance is on Shapwick Road between Shapwick and Westhay. Parking at the Avalon Marshes Centre is free, but visitors are encouraged to make a voluntary donation."

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

See https://swheritage.org.uk/avalon-archaeology/visiting/ for TIMES AND PRICES

"Avalon Marshes Centre

The toilets are accessible by ramp and there is a dedicated disabled toilet. They are adjacent to the site at the Avalon Marshes Centre.

Marshes Hub Tea Stop:

Open 9.30 am to 5.00 pm seven days a week except for Christmas Day.

The onsite café is part of the Avalon Marshes Centre and serves hot and cold drinks, a range of breakfast options, a varied light lunch menu including freshly made soups, quiches, cream teas, a selection of homemade cakes and specials of the day.

Somerset Crafts Gallery and Shop; 10.00 am to 5.00 pm seven days a week except for Christmas Day.

The gallery and craft shop is part of the Avalon Marshes Centre and operated by Somerset Crafts, a group of local artists and craftsmen. It sells a wide range of original hand-crafted items, many drawing their inspiration from the wildlife and landscape of the Avalon Marshes."

Transport

"Bus:

The FirstBus Service 375/376 links Glastonbury, Street and Wells with Bristol, Yeovil and Bridgwater. From Glastonbury the local service no 662 passes through Meare and Westhay to Wedmore.

Train

The nearest stations to the Avalon Marshes and Glastonbury are: Bridgwater, Highbridge, Castle Cary and Taunton. For more information go to National Rail Enquiries website. National Cycle Routes 3, 26 and 33 combined with the Bittern Trail provide cycling routes between these stations, The Avalon Marshes Centre and Glastonbury."

Amenities

Nature Reserve

Disability Parking

Disability Toilet

Parking

Shop

Toilets

Cafe

Visitor Centre

Snack Bar / Take Away

https://swheritage.org.uk/our-services/celebrant-weddings/