Name: Somerset Cricket Museum
Rating: 5.0

Somerset Cricket Museum

7 Priory Avenue, Taunton, Somerset and Bristol, TA1 1XX, England

1-99 Years

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Description

The Somerset Cricket Museum is an engaging, independent archive located inside a beautifully restored, Grade II* listed 15th-century old priory barn in the heart of Taunton. Situated within the grounds of the Cooper Associates County Ground, this hidden gem offers sports fans and curious children a vivid glimpse into the history of cricket. Finding the best things to do with kids in Taunton regularly leads families to this museum category attraction, which preserves centuries of local sporting heritage and rural stories.

Admission to this charming community museum is completely free for all match day visitors, though voluntary donations are highly valued to help the small team of dedicated volunteers maintain the venue. The museum opens during first-class cricket matches, providing a cozy and welcoming stop during family outings.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that blends local sporting history with an architectural step back in time, this is a perfect addition to your afternoon. The unique layout and rich displays guarantee that young sports enthusiasts leave with a newfound appreciation for the traditional summer game.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Key Features

Interactive Exhibits: Modern, user-friendly electronic touch units allow children to pull up historic match facts and choose records on their own.
Educational Day Out: The museum traces the evolution of sports equipment and clothing, linking perfectly with school social history projects.
Historical Setting: Housed in the ancient Priory Barn, providing a striking structural backdrop that makes history tangible for young learners.

Top 5 Highlights

The Dynamic Digital Interactive Displays: Children can take control of their own historical journey using the interactive electronic units installed across the galleries. These screens allow kids to look up old records, replay classic matches, and explore dynamic cricket statistics at their own pace.
The Evolution of Cricket Gear Display: A fascinating collection that tracks exactly how sporting equipment has changed over more than a century. Kids will love comparing their own modern, lightweight sports gear to the heavy, old-fashioned wooden bats and vintage leather pads used by past generations.
The Historic Blazer and Benefit Ties Collection: This bright, colorful gallery displays authentic team clothing, historic tour blazers, and unique player benefit ties worn by sporting heroes. It gives young visitors a fun, visual look at how sports fashion and team uniforms have evolved over the decades.
The Famous Honours Boards: A central focal point in the museum that records the names and historic achievements of legendary players who made their mark on Somerset soil. It is a fantastic spot for young fans to learn about dedication, sporting excellence, and local team milestones.
The Ancient Priory Barn Architecture: The building itself is a massive highlight, featuring beautiful old stonework and historic wooden beams dating back hundreds of years. Walking through a barn that has served as everything from a builder's store to a secure fortress is a wonderful experience for imaginative children.

Facilities

Toilets: On match days, families have full access to the primary accessible toilets located within the main cricket ground complex.
Buggy Parking: Indoor space is limited due to the historic barn structure, but buggies can generally be left securely near the entrance or ground pathways.
Food Options: The museum sits right next to the Somerset County Sports shop and is just a short walk from the Stragglers Coffee House, which serves family-friendly hot drinks, cakes, and light lunches.

Pro-Tips for Parents

Match Day Entry Rules: Because the museum sits inside the stadium gates, access on match days is strictly reserved for spectators who hold a valid ticket to watch the cricket fixture.
Upstairs Access: A virtual online tour is fully available on the ground floor screen, ensuring visitors who cannot manage the stairs can still view the entire upper gallery.

FAQ

Is it worth it for toddlers? While younger toddlers will enjoy looking at the bright team blazers and the historic building, the museum is best suited for school-aged children who can actively use the digital screens. The old timber stairs also mean parents will need to keep a close eye on tiny adventurers.
How long does a visit take? Most families spend around 45 minutes exploring the two floors of displays, making it a brilliant, bite-sized activity to enjoy during match intervals. It stands out as one of the best cheap indoor activities in Taunton for sports fans looking to escape the elements for an hour.
Where is the best place to park? The closest option is the St James Street public car park, located just behind the stands and a short stroll away from the museum gates. It offers convenient pay-and-display spaces right in the heart of the town center.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

The wonderful, welcoming volunteers who possess an incredible knowledge of local history and love sharing stories with young fans.
The fantastic digital interactive screens that keep children hands-on and fully entertained while learning about sports records.
The beautiful, historic barn architecture which gives the entire museum a cozy, unique atmosphere unlike modern concrete galleries.
The brilliant location right inside the ground, making it an easy and rewarding place to visit during match intervals.

What Visitors Don't Like

The restricted opening hours, meaning families must plan their visits carefully around the club's specific fixture list.
The steep stairs leading to the upper floor can be slightly tricky for very small children or those with limited mobility.

What to see

Detailed Inventory & Secondary Attractions

The collection contains a rich array of named historic sports artifacts, including:
The Anya Shrubsole exhibit celebrating the achievements of the England Women's cricket star.
The Vic Marks collection featuring personal memorabilia and records from his storied career.
A beautifully preserved Sir Viv Richards cap from his famous era with the club.
An updated, permanent Somerset County Cricket Club Honours Board.
A fascinating comparison display of contrasting player contracts from 1939 and 2021.
A specialized collection of miniature Victorian cricket paintings.
A dedicated section honoring Hat-trick Heroes who achieved rare bowling feats.
Traditional I Zingari club cricket memorabilia from one of the oldest wandering clubs, founded in 1843.

New for 2026: The museum enters the 2026 season with freshly updated interactive electronic units, a newly modernized Honours Board display, and newly installed, permanent feature exhibits dedicated to local legends Anya Shrubsole and Vic Marks.

Beyond the Main Attraction

The Cooper Associates County Ground: Step straight outside the museum to take in a live match or view the modern stands of Somerset County Cricket Club.
Taunton Heritage Trail: A self-guided walking route across town that takes families past ancient monuments, medieval castles, and the nearby bustling shopping streets.
Vivary Park: Located just a short walk south of the town center, this expansive green park features kids' play areas, an eighteen-hole golf course, and plenty of space for a family picnic.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

The Museum opens on the first four day game of the season and closes for the winter at the end of October.

Address: 7 Priory Avenue, Taunton, Somerset and Bristol, TA1 1XX, England

Post Code: TA1 1XX

Council: Somerset

County: Somerset and Bristol

By Train: Taunton Railway Station is an active mainline hub located less than a ten-minute flat walk away from the venue entrance.
By Bus: Taunton Bus Station is centrally located just a five-minute walk from the cricket ground, offering multiple regional routes.
By Car & Parking: Drivers can head directly into Taunton center using postcode TA1 1XX. While there is no public parking inside the ground on match days, ample town center pay-and-display car parks are situated nearby, including the St James Street car park.