Avalon Marshes Centre — Attraction in Meare

Bit of mixed feelings but I really five stars. It's not difficult to get to and there is a fair sized carpark. I don't think it would be big enough if there was a rush of people but we went early and parking was easy. There is a cafe which we didn't use a craft centre which is good but not a lot of things there and what was is expensive. It's not as good as say a NT shop. We went primarily for the archeological re instruction which is a compound attached to but separate to the main site. The display opens at 10 but a notice said it was opening later that day at 12.30. we'd planned to do a walk after but we did that first. There was no notice on the web site about late opening so lucky we had plans as two hour wait would have been difficult. Reconstruction area is small about 30m by 30m but in it they have done an amazing job and is well worth the £5 to go in. I think it's about hour and half's worth of interest if you look at everything. You get a written guide as you entre simple to read but very informative. I can't see many problems for wheelchair users so access is very good. They also run events so check web site they look interesting and add to the experience.

There are several walks long and short from the site. They all start by walking along the road for a short distance. Information is readily available but we went to see the Sweet track. A neolithic raised trackway that stretched for 2km across what was then marsh and swamp and reed beds. You still get a feeling for what it was like but in normal weather it's not flooded. There is a reconstruction of what was originally there that you can walk on. The original Timbers or many of them at least still lay under the peat preserved in the soil. To walk in the path of people 7,000 years ago in the Somerset flats and ponder the vast history that followed including the seeds of the establishment of possibly the greatest country in history is a five star experience. It's a nice walk too with a hide and beautiful...

Arrived on a scorchinly hot Friday in July (i.e. school holidays) and (i) information centre closed, (ii) archeological interpretive centre closed and (iii) wildlife interpretive centre closed. Disapointed as we were there for the history not necessarily for the nature. We wanted to see the Sweet Track trail... which is further down the road. We thought we could park at Avalon Centre and walk along a boardwalk or something to get to the neolithic site... nope... had to walk along a fairly busy road. Wouldnt recommend it if youre bringing kids... drive further on and park at the bridge. There was an amazing neolithic building and boat in one corner of the Avalon Centee, lottery funded, but this was fenced off. Art centre selling local art was open and had some really nice stuff. Theres a cafe with outdoor (I.e.covid friendly) eating with very friendly staff. Toilets available in a prefab and were clean. Place overall lacked any caretaker (weeds taking over) or focused organisation (confused or missing information and interpretation)... which is what you would expect from a place run by so many wildlife and nature organisations... each one has conflicting requirements and needs. After all that, it's still worth a detour if in Glastonbury. Dont forget you can cycle out to it...

If you like birds, peace and quiet, cake and archaeology; you're going to be in for a treat! 1st port of call was the archaeology section - absolutely astonishing. The Roman villa with the mosaics and frescos, the tin cinema, the roundhouse, the incredible replica viking boat and my favourite, the Saxon hall. Everything is so meticulous and genuine. If you woke up there after a few too many, you'd genuinely believe you had gone back in time. We met the archaeologist in residence who was super-engaging, shared real artefacts with the public and the children(you could excavate them from a sandpit with shovel and seive, just like Howard Carter) and really inspired an interest. The 21 picture quiz was great, my 5yr old was actively engaged for 2 whole hours. Eels. A little tank of elvers by the entrance was brilliant. 5yr old was fascinated. The gallery and shop is bright and welcoming, some lovely crafts, art, pottery. Cafe was well stocked, well staffed, food delicious and priced well. Lots of spaces to sit, good food retrieval system and do-your-own recycling of the waste at the end. Keeps things really slick. Birds. Purportedly, there are many birds. It was my aim to get amongst them but tired 5yr old needed to not be walking...