Somerset Brick and Tile Museum

The Somerset Brick and Tile Museum in Bridgwater offers a fascinating look at one of the county’s most important traditional industries. For centuries, the rich local clay supported a thriving trade in bricks, tiles and pottery, shaping both the town’s economy and its landscape. The museum occupies part of the former Barham Brothers works, one of the last surviving brick‑making sites in the area, giving the whole place an authentic industrial atmosphere. Inside, visitors can explore original drying sheds, kilns and working spaces that reveal how bricks and tiles were made before modern mechanisation. The exhibits explain each stage of production — from clay extraction and moulding to firing — with tools, moulds and machinery that once formed the backbone of the trade. One of the most striking features is the preserved “Hoffmann kiln,” a vast circular structure that operated continuously and revolutionised brick production in the 19th century. Displays also highlight the lives of the workers: photographs, personal stories and artefacts show the skill, labour and community that sustained the industry. Decorative tiles, chimney pots and architectural ceramics demonstrate the artistry that accompanied the hard physical work.