Avalon Marshes Centre close to entrance of Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve with local information, Somerset Crafts, Marshes Hub cafe' and toilets - open 7 days/week. Also hosts offices and workbase for RSPB, Natural England, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Hawk & Owl Trust - weekdays only.
Our first visit and it exceeded our expectations. We visited on a Sunday when the archaeological section was open. This was fascinating taking us from the stone age through to Anglo-Saxon. The guides we were given were most informative. There is a cafe and a very nice craft centre. Definitely a must visit if in the area.
This is a must visit if in the area. So much space so much to see and is really peaceful. Stunning place with a good place to eat and a lovely gallery with beautiful work on display and for sale.
The volunteer was very friendly and we loved the attention to detail in the buildings. Lots of outdoor seating for the cafe was appreciated as well.
Visited this lovely place today. Found the lady in the shop to be very helpful and welcoming. She told us where to walk and also said we could take a map with us to help us explore the area. We had a lovely walk in the nature reserve which is just down the road from the visitor centre on the left hand side. There was lots of different paths to choose from. After our walk we decided to stop off in the on site cafe which is unfortunately where our experience of the place went down hill. The staff didn't seem to have any interest in being there. We waited 45 minutes for a beef bap which was on their special. We were then presented with a dry round bun with shop brought pack sliced beef, butter on one side of the bun and a smear of horseradish , very disappointing! Such a shame to end the day this way but apart from that would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a tranquil place for a walk.
If you like birds, peace and quiet, cake and archaeology; you're going to be in for a treat! 1st port of call was the archaeology section - absolutely astonishing. The Roman villa with the mosaics and frescos, the tin cinema, the roundhouse, the incredible replica viking boat and my favourite, the Saxon hall. Everything is so meticulous and genuine. If you woke up there after a few too many, you'd genuinely believe you had gone back in time. We met the archaeologist in residence who was super-engaging, shared real artefacts with the public and the children(you could excavate them from a sandpit with shovel and seive, just like Howard Carter) and really inspired an interest. The 21 picture quiz was great, my 5yr old was actively engaged for 2 whole hours. Eels. A little tank of elvers by the entrance was brilliant. 5yr old was fascinated. The gallery and shop is bright and welcoming, some lovely crafts, art, pottery. Cafe was well stocked, well staffed, food delicious and priced well. Lots of spaces to sit, good food retrieval system and do-your-own recycling of the waste at the end. Keeps things really slick. Birds. Purportedly, there are many birds. It was my aim to get amongst them but tired 5yr old needed to not be walking so we retired.
Car park is short walk along road from entrance to reserve. Lovely walk and lots of water fowl spotted.
On-site services
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Good for kids
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Our first visit and it exceeded our expectations. We visited on a Sunday when the archaeological section was open. This was fascinating taking us from the stone age through to Anglo-Saxon. The guides we were given were most informative. There is a cafe and a very nice craft centre. Definitely a must visit if in the area.
This is a must visit if in the area. So much space so much to see and is really peaceful. Stunning place with a good place to eat and a lovely gallery with beautiful work on display and for sale.
The volunteer was very friendly and we loved the attention to detail in the buildings. Lots of outdoor seating for the cafe was appreciated as well.
Visited this lovely place today. Found the lady in the shop to be very helpful and welcoming. She told us where to walk and also said we could take a map with us to help us explore the area. We had a lovely walk in the nature reserve which is just down the road from the visitor centre on the left hand side. There was lots of different paths to choose from. After our walk we decided to stop off in the on site cafe which is unfortunately where our experience of the place went down hill. The staff didn't seem to have any interest in being there. We waited 45 minutes for a beef bap which was on their special. We were then presented with a dry round bun with shop brought pack sliced beef, butter on one side of the bun and a smear of horseradish , very disappointing! Such a shame to end the day this way but apart from that would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a tranquil place for a walk.
If you like birds, peace and quiet, cake and archaeology; you're going to be in for a treat! 1st port of call was the archaeology section - absolutely astonishing. The Roman villa with the mosaics and frescos, the tin cinema, the roundhouse, the incredible replica viking boat and my favourite, the Saxon hall. Everything is so meticulous and genuine. If you woke up there after a few too many, you'd genuinely believe you had gone back in time. We met the archaeologist in residence who was super-engaging, shared real artefacts with the public and the children(you could excavate them from a sandpit with shovel and seive, just like Howard Carter) and really inspired an interest. The 21 picture quiz was great, my 5yr old was actively engaged for 2 whole hours. Eels. A little tank of elvers by the entrance was brilliant. 5yr old was fascinated. The gallery and shop is bright and welcoming, some lovely crafts, art, pottery. Cafe was well stocked, well staffed, food delicious and priced well. Lots of spaces to sit, good food retrieval system and do-your-own recycling of the waste at the end. Keeps things really slick. Birds. Purportedly, there are many birds. It was my aim to get amongst them but tired 5yr old needed to not be walking so we retired.
Car park is short walk along road from entrance to reserve. Lovely walk and lots of water fowl spotted.
