Peat Moors Centre - Somerset Heritage Centre (UK)
The suggestion for the Centre originated from John Coles. The first roundhouses were built by Somerset County Council staff to celebrate the centenary of the discovery of the Lake Village.
They closed in 2009 and are now called Somerset County Council Heritage Service, Somerset Heritage Centre.
The suggestion for the Centre originated from John Coles. The first roundhouses were built by Somerset County Council staff to celebrate the centenary of the discovery of the Lake Village. They closed in 2009.
A visit to the Peat Moors Centre was the perfect opportunity to fire the imagination of both young and old. Travel back in time to prehistoric Somerset and discover firsthand how our ancient ancestors made their homes in the centre of an extensive wetland. Three full size reconstructions of Iron Age roundhouses have been created to give an insight into living conditions of the unique Glastonbury Lake Village.
Life in the Lake Villages has been described as ‘industrious and fairly civilised’ and you can experience this for yourself as you soak up the domestic atmosphere sitting by the roundhouse fire. Outside the chance to get stuck in at wattling and daubing is an opportunity few children will want to miss, so be prepared for them to get dirty!
Regular craft and living history demonstrations took place most weekends, or why not gain a deeper insight by joining one of our short courses to learn an ancient technology.
Throughout the year the ancient quarter days were marked with exciting events; The ‘Beltane Gathering’ of tribal re-enactors at the beginning of May, the ‘Lughnasa Skills Fair’, full of craft demonstrations in early August, and the season finale of the burning of a wicker man at the annual ‘Samhain’ event at the end of October.