Bridgwater Family Attractions

Coleridge Cottage

Step into the world of the great Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge and visit his former home. This fascinating Bridgwater attraction was the home of Coleridge for three years, from 1797.

Coleridge penned some of his most famous poetry in the cottage, including The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Kubla Khan and Frost at Midnight. The cottage includes mementos of the famous poet’s life and work, and visitors can even sit and write poetry at his own desk...with a feather quill!  The Coleridge Way is found nearby, and passes through the stunning Quantock Hills.

Westonzoyland Pumping Station

This Bridgwater family attraction is a must for anyone with a passion for engineering! Westonzoyland lies just a short distance from Bridgwater and this museum houses the oldest steam powered pumping station in Somerset.

The station dates back to 1830 and also hosts Steaming Days – where restored steam engines can be seen on the move. The Easton and Amos pumping station was constructed in 1861 and the modest museum includes a selection of steam engines and historic artefacts.

Image courtesy of Alan Davies.

Somerset Brick and Tile Museum

Another historic attraction in Bridgwater, the Somerset Brick and Tile Museum pays tribute to the area’s role in the brick-making industry. Somerset has a history of hard, industrial work, and this museum is dedicated to the fascinating skills and labour needed. There are regular demonstrations, so visitors can see just how the area’s walls and bricks were created. What better way to get to know the history of Bridgwater than to see how its walls and tiles were made?

Image courtesy of the Somerset Heritage and Libraries Service.

The Blake Museum

His name may not be as famous as Sir Francis Drake, but Robert Blake was a hero in his own right – and a local one at that. The Blake Museum is a fascinating Bridgwater attraction and tells the story behind his life.

Blake was a hero of the British Navy, so much so that he received a formal state funeral, and  Nelson himself once said ‘I shall never be the equal of Blake’. Find out how Blake started as a sodier, sered in the Civil War and proved himself as a naval commander. Aside from his impressive list of naval triumphs and firsts, Blake was a natural leader, and there are plenty of stories to find out just how he used his talent.

Image courtesy of the Blake Musem