The Abbey Barn, the museum's centerpiece, was built around 1350 for Glastonbury Abbey to store tithes of grain.
The barn is considered one of the finest surviving examples of a medieval timber-framed building in England.
The site was originally part of a larger grange belonging to the Abbots of Glastonbury.
The collection includes rare examples of 'willow-work' and traditional Somerset craftsmanship.
The museum grounds include an orchard planted with local varieties of Somerset cider apples.
A permanent display illustrates the history of the shoe industry in Street, a nearby town famous for its footwear production.
The Somerset Rural Life Museum is housed within the 14th-century Abbey Farm, featuring a Grade I listed medieval thatched tithe barn. The museum focuses on the social and agricultural history of Somerset, with displays covering traditional crafts, food production, and rural industry. Key themes include the history of cider making, peat digging, and local farming practices. Visitors can explore the historic farmhouse and the surrounding gardens. The site provides context on the history of the Somerset Levels and the influence of Glastonbury Abbey on the local landscape. Rotating exhibitions feature contemporary craft and historical themes.
The interior of the medieval tithe barn looking up at the high-reaching, ancient wooden roof timbers.
Walk the perimeter of the medieval barn to appreciate the complex timber-frame construction.
Allow extra time to visit the orchard and garden areas, as they contain heritage plant species.
Check the museum's rotating exhibition calendar online before visiting to catch seasonal displays.
Do not overlook the smaller outbuildings, as they contain significant machinery displays often missed by visitors rushing to the main barn.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the year.
Respect the historic nature of the barn and farmhouse interiors; do not touch preserved wooden structures.
