A grant of nearly £1m will allow the Chew Valley Hoard, a significant Norman-era treasure, to go on permanent display in Somerset.
The hoard, discovered in 2019 by metal detectorists in the Chew Valley, includes 2,584 coins dating from just after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It is believed to be the highest-value treasure acquisition on record, valued at £4.3m. The find was shared between the discoverers and the landowner.
The National Lottery has awarded £993,345 to the Museum of Somerset, enabling the conversion of its round tower into a permanent exhibition for the hoard.
South West Heritage Trust Chief Executive Sam Astill said: “The grant really covers investment at the museum. It covers engagement activity both on site, online and in the community and of course will ensure that the hall can be securely presented to the public and well interpreted.”
The hoard is thought to have been hidden during a period of turmoil following the Norman conquest of England. Mr Astill explained: “That period isn’t well represented, particularly in object terms.”
Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset Council’s executive member for communities, housing and culture, added: “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 new exhibition is scheduled to open in 2027, offering visitors a permanent opportunity to view one of England’s most important post-Conquest finds.
