Bridgwater Hotel Guide - Admiral Blake Museum hotels in Bridgwater, United Kingdom.

Visitors to Somerset shouldn't miss the chance to visit the impressive Admiral Blake Museum in Bridgwater. This fine museum is housed in a 16th century building in the town centre and is a showcase for the life and times of Bridgwater's most famous son. When you stay at a suitable Somerset hotel, guesthouse or B&B in the area you'll also find many other historic and cultural attractions to keep you happily occupied.

Somerset Hotels for the Bridgwater Blake Museum

Bridgwater is an attractive and historic Somerset market town whose history goes back to pre-Norman times, as it's mentioned in the Domesday Book as Brugie. The Admiral Blake Museum first opened its doors more recently, in 1926, and this particular house was chosen because the great man supposedly was born here in 1598. It also has exhibitions on the history and archaeology of Bridgwater and the surrounding area, and can occupy a pleasant afternoon when you're staying at a nearby Somerset hotel or B&B.

Blake was a General at Sea under Cromwell and the main attractions in the museum revolve around him and his life during the English Civil War. The building itself is Grade II listed, and amongst its treasures are Blake's original sea chest, along with various items of various items of naval machinery and equipment, and a sizeable collection of Victorian clothing . There's also a collection of paintings by a local artist, John Chubb.

Relive Bridgwater History from Somerset Hotels

One of the showcase displays at the Blake Museum concerns the decisive Battle of Sedgemoor, and an associated archive of material revolves around the Monmouth Rebellion. Bridgwater has a long history connected with shipping and trade and there are exhibitions exploring these in some depth too. The main points of interest must of course remain with the man himself, whose reputation had a somewhat chequered history, depending on whose side you were on! Under Cromwell as Lord Protector, Blake really founded England's naval supremacy, but following the Restoration his contribution was never properly acknowledged. The truth will out though, as you'll discover on a visit to the museum from your Somerset hotel.