THE RENOWNED Chew Valley Hoard, a remarkable collection of over 2,500 silver pennies unearthed in local fields by a group of metal detectorists, is set to return to Somerset next summer after a nationwide museum tour.

Found in January 2019, the silver coins are believed to have been buried shortly after the Norman invasion of England in 1066. The collection features rare depictions of both King Harold II, who fell at the Battle of Hastings, and his successor, William the Conqueror.

After a high-profile display at the British Museum from late 2024 through spring 2025, the coins are now set to travel to museums across the UK. They are expected to arrive at their permanent home in Taunton during the summer of 2026.

Plans are now in motion to create a dedicated exhibition space at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton, where the hoard will be housed permanently. A planning application has been submitted to Somerset Council to transform the museum’s historic round tower into a new gallery space designed specifically for the coins.

The South West Heritage Trust, which manages the museum, confirmed that work is underway behind the scenes to prepare for the hoard’s arrival. The project is still dependent on securing funding from various partner organisations, but hopes are high that the gallery will open on schedule next summer.

The hoard itself includes 1,236 coins bearing the image of King Harold II and 1,310 showing William I, along with several fragments. Experts say it offers one of the most significant numismatic insights into the turbulent period following the Norman Conquest.

The Chew Valley Hoard was declared the most valuable treasure ever discovered in the UK, purchased in 2024 for £4.3 million. The local metal detectorists who found the coins—along with the landowner—shared the proceeds from the discovery.