The CHew Valley Hoard, which dates back 1,000 years. Picture: British Museum

£1 million to showcase the Chew Valley Hoard in Somerset – and beyond

Paul JonesDecember 3, 20250 Comment0

A GRANT of almost £1 million will help Somerset celebrate the landmark Chew Valley Hoard – a collection of more than 2,500 coins discovered in the county.

The South West Heritage Trust will use the money – £993,345 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund – to deliver a two-year engagement project to celebrate the hoard and mark the 1,000th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s birth.

Made up of 2,584 silver coins, the Chew Valley Hoard is the highest-value treasure acquisition on record, dating from the period of turmoil immediately following the Norman Conquest.

The trust said the grant would allow the creation of a new gallery at The Museum of Somerset dedicated to the permanent display of the collection.

SWHT curator of archaeology, Amal Khreisheh, with some of the coins. Picture: SWHT

It also includes a two-year community engagement programme featuring activities, exhibitions, learning opportunities and events to open up wider public access to the archaeological discovery, as well as supporting improved access and visitor facilities at the museum, at Taunton Castle.

The scheme will run alongside international plans in 2027 to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s birth, highlighting the Norman Conquest and its lasting impact on the nation’s history.

South West Heritage Trust chief executive, Sam Astill, said: “We are tremendously grateful to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, audiences will have the chance to explore this national treasure through an exciting and diverse programme of engagement activities.

“This award also signifies a major investment in the museum’s future, helping us improve access, broaden participation, and ensure this remarkable collection can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

Stuart McLeod, director of London and south at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “We’re proud to continue supporting South West Heritage Trust in bringing the Chew Valley Hoard to life for communities across Somerset and beyond.

“This remarkable collection tells a unique story of one of the most transformative periods in our history.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, it will be preserved and shared through an ambitious programme of exhibitions and engagement, helping to tell the history of the hoard and inspire curiosity and discovery for generations to come.”

Somerset Council executive member for communities, housing and culture, Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, said: “The Chew Valley Hoard is a hugely significant treasure in every sense of the word and we cannot wait to welcome it back home to Somerset.

“Now, thanks to this fantastic investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the excellent work by the South West Heritage Trust, we can ensure an important part of our past is enjoyed and celebrated long into the future.”

The south west will get a first look at the coins during a special touring exhibition set to visit the Roman Baths Museum, in Bath, from January to March 2027.

From spring 2027, a special exhibition will open at The Museum of Somerset, Taunton.