FROM spring 2027, visitors to the Museum of Somerset in Taunton will be able to explore the story of the Chew Valley Hoard and its discovery through a dedicated exhibition.

The Chew Valley Hoard, consisting of 2,584 silver pennies, was discovered by metal detectorists in 2019 and is the highest-value treasure find on record, with an estimated value of £4.3-million.

The coins date from 1066 to around 1068 and are thought to have been buried for safekeeping during the upheaval of the Norman Conquest. Approximately half of the coins feature the face of Harold Godwinson, England’s last Saxon king, while the other half bear the image of William the Conqueror.

The hoard is particularly significant for containing twice as many coins of Harold Godwinson than had ever been found before. Among the collection are three “mules” — coins with a different king on each side — including one depicting Edward the Confessor.

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset Council’s executive member for communities, housing and culture, said: “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.”

According to the South West Heritage Trust, the hoard was buried in 1067/68 on an estate later belonging to Giso, Bishop of Wells, likely for safekeeping during the period of instability following the Norman Conquest in 1066. The Trust notes that in 1068, the people of Exeter rebelled against Norman rule, apparently encouraged by Harold Godwinson’s mother, Gytha, in support of Harold’s sons, who had returned from exile in Ireland to mount attacks at the mouth of the Avon and on Bristol.

Stuart McLeod, director of London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "We’re proud to continue supporting South West Heritage Trust in bringing the Chew Valley Hoard to life for communities across Somerset and beyond.

“This remarkable collection tells a unique story of one of the most transformative periods in our history. Thanks to National Lottery players, it will be preserved and shared through an ambitious programme of exhibitions and engagement, helping to tell the history of the hoard and inspire curiosity and discovery for generations to come."

From January to March 2027, visitors in the South West will have their first opportunity to see coins from the Chew Valley Hoard at a special touring exhibition at the Roman Baths Museum in Bath.

In spring 2027, a temporary exhibition will open at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton, accompanied by a diverse programme of events and activities across the county to engage the local community with the hoard’s history.

By spring 2028, a new permanent gallery will open at the Museum of Somerset, where all 2,584 coins will be on display, telling the full story of this remarkable and historically significant treasure.