The local Radstock museum has been awarded top spot in a national list of small museums to visit when they re-open up.

The Somerset Coalfield Life at Radstock Museum to give it the full title, came out as the best recommendation for readers tips in The Guardian newspaper.

The listing praises the museum for breaking stereotypes of what Somerset is really about, and goes on to say that it is "beautifully laid out, informative and a hidden gem."

The full tip is entitled ; When king coal ruled Somerset and reads :

"Somerset is saddled with stereotypes: cider, cheddar cheese and yokels who say ooh-arhh a lot. Few people know that for more than 250 years it was the centre of an advanced and highly mechanised coal industry covering an area greater than the Levels. The industry, its technology, characters, tragedies and distinctive way of life are on show at the superlative Radstock Museum. It's a beautifully laid-out, informative, often poignant gem barely 10 miles from Bath, and much less predictable than that city's museum offerings."

Keep up to date when the museum plans to re-open by clicking HERE : the museum's web site

The museum is reopening on Wednesday 2nd June and will be opening for 3 days a week Wednesdays 2-5pm Saturdays 11am-5pm and Sundays 2-5pm. Then from 6 July 2-5pm Tues-Sun and 11am-5pm Sat, There will be an admissions holiday with free entry until end of August, donations encouraged. Anyone with an annual ticket which they were unable to use due to Covid lockdowns will be able to use their ticket for free entry from September with a new expiry date added to that ticket.