Chard And District Museum Heritage Centre

CHARD AND DISTRICT MUSEUM in High Street occupies Godworthy House, once four small cottages, the former public house New Inn and ancillary buildings to the rear.

The museum houses a considerable number of artefacts recording the history, culture and development of Chard and the surrounding area. The exhibitions relating to John Stringfellow’s early powered flight and James Gillingham’s pioneering artificial limbs are of national and international importance. Other features include a complete blacksmith’s forge, carpenter’s and wheelwright’s workshops, plumbing, kitchen, laundry, childhood and costume displays. There is also an audio dramatisation of the Chard lace riot of 1842. This year the museum is presenting a special World War 1 display and another on Chard roads, railway and canal.

In 2013 the independent museum, a registered charity, was re-awarded accreditation by Arts Council England and is open weekdays and Saturday mornings from 10.00am from Easter to October.