Looking for a fun and creative way to explore Somerset with your children? Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or planning your next school holiday itinerary, there’s no shortage of inspiring ways to enjoy art in Somerset. From hands-on workshops to inspiring exhibitions, there are countless ways for families to explore art in Somerset. Whether it’s painting, pottery, printmaking, or sculpture, you’ll find immersive experiences for children of all ages – and plenty of fun for grown-ups too.
In this guide, we’ll highlight the best artistic family adventures and creative days out in Somerset!
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Explore Somerset’s Art Galleries and Family-Friendly Art Trails
Explore child-friendly art galleries and family-friendly art trails in Somerset:
Hauser & Wirth in Bruton
Hauser & Wirth is a renowned international contemporary art gallery. One of its most unique locations is right in Bruton, Somerset. But it’s more than just a gallery—it’s an immersive art and countryside experience.
What is Hauser & Wirth in Bruton?
Hauser & Wirth Somerset sits on the edge of Bruton at Durslade Farm. It features contemporary art exhibitions, stunning gardens, and a farm-to-table restaurant. There are also educational spaces, all housed in beautifully restored 18th-century farm buildings.
It opened in 2014 and has since become a cultural destination for locals, families, and international visitors alike.
What Can You Do There?
Explore world-class art exhibitions in their free-entry galleries, showcasing works by leading contemporary artists.
Wander through the stunning Oudolf Field, a meadow-like perennial garden designed by Piet Oudolf (of High Line fame).
Dine at the Roth Bar & Grill, known for seasonal dishes, many of which are made with ingredients grown or raised on-site.
Shop for art books, design pieces, and gifts in the on-site gallery shop.
Take part in workshops and talks—check their schedule for events that often include creative activities for children.
Hauser & Wirth hosts seasonal family events like their popular Summer Fete. Expect art, food, live music, and activities that celebrate the local community. Entry to the gallery is free, and there’s free parking too. It’s a fun, easy way for families to enjoy art together.
READ MORE: The Best Things To Do In Bruton
East Quay in Watchet
East Quay is an arts centre and cultural venue in West Somerset offers family workshops. It’s home to two contemporary galleries and artist studios which you can explore.
During the school holidays, discover drop-in workshops and craft activities for kids. Plus, there’s kids’ activity books available to explore East Quay and activity sheets for some of their exhibitions. Check out our May Half Term Guide.
ACEarts in Somerton
ACEarts is a contemporary art gallery and educational charity located in the historic Old Town Hall in Somerton, Somerset. The gallery hosts a range of exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing work by local and national artists. ACEarts also offers a variety of workshops and events.
Somerset Open Studios
Somerset Open Studios is a 16-day event where artists and makers in Somerset open their studios to the public, allowing visitors to meet the artists, see their work in progress, and explore their creative spaces. It’s returning 13th – 28th September 2025. Follow one of the region’s art trails such as the Somerset Art Works (SAW) Open Studios, where families can meet artists, watch demonstrations, and even join pop-up workshops.
North Somerset Arts Week
North Somerset Arts Week is a biennial celebration of creativity, showcasing local artists across 39 venues in towns and villages such as Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon, Portishead, and Nailsea.
Over 200 local artists will be opening up their homes and studios or gathering in shared venues to show you their latest work. There’s talks, workshops and some excellent homemade cakes!
Keep an eye out for the distinctive pink flags – they mark the locations taking part. Pick up an Arts Week brochure from local shops or libraries. Inside, you’ll find maps and details of all the artists involved.
Coates English Willow in Somerset
Coates English Willow is running a dinosaur sculpture trail (7th April – 10 October 2025) with 12 beautifully sculpted dinosaurs woven from willow. Pick up a trail map from reception and head into the woods to find them all.
Discover beautifully woven baskets and hand-crafted products made from home-grown willow – a proud family tradition that’s been going strong for over 100 years. At Coates English Willow, you can step into their fascinating Basket Museum, home to a unique collection of willow artifacts and traditional baskets dating all the way back to the 1850s. It’s a brilliant way to explore the history, heritage, and skill behind Somerset’s iconic craft of willow weaving.
Coates English Willow provides an engaging experience for visitors interested in traditional crafts, nature walks, and the rich history of the Somerset Levels. If you want to have a go at this traditional craft and have a go at working with willow – try one of their great kits which you can pick up in the shop.
Enjoy freshly made cakes and coffee in the dog-friendly Lemon Tree Café.
Frome Open Art Trail
The Frome Open Art Trail celebrates local artists and makers taking place alongside the Frome Festival. The 2025 Frome Open Art Trail will take place from Saturday 5th – Sunday 13th July 2025. This take place in homes, studios, workshops and venues. Pick up a brochure for more details.
READ MORE: A Guide To The Best Things To Do In Somerset
Explore the Glastonbury Mural Trail
For a vibrant and open-air art experience, the Glastonbury Mural Trail is a must-see. This self-guided walking trail takes you through the colourful streets of Glastonbury, where over 50 murals celebrate the town’s eclectic heritage, local legends, and mythical charm. From striking street art to whimsical characters, it’s an exciting way for families to explore art in public spaces. Kids love spotting their favourite designs, and the trail encourages creativity and discussion in a fun, relaxed environment.
The trail is free, accessible, and perfect for combining with a day out in one of Somerset’s most fascinating towns.
READ MORE: Ten Things To Do In Glastonbury
Top Creative Days Out and Art in Somerset
Holburne Museum, Bath Somerset
The Holburne Museum in Bath offers a variety of engaging art activities for families. Children can enjoy the free “Space to Make” area, featuring self-led creative projects inspired by the museum’s exhibitions and collections. Keep an eye out for family exhibitions and events.
Additionally, interactive “Discovery Drawers” throughout the galleries provide hands-on exploration opportunities. The museum also hosts seasonal family workshops and art camps, such as the Summer Art Camps for ages 6–11, which offer fun-filled days of creativity led by experienced artists.
This summer, from July 2nd to 20th, the Holburne Museum’s gardens will host the Garden Theatre Festival, Bath’s only purpose-built open-air theatre event. Now in its fifth year, the festival offers a lineup of performances suitable for all ages, including Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and a family-friendly adaptation of The Secret Garden featuring music, puppetry, and interactive fun.
READ MORE: Things To Do In Bath With Kids
Somerset Rural Life Museum
The Somerset rural Life Museum in Glastonbury frequently host seasonal workshops in the school holidays. Children can get messy and creative while parents enjoy learning alongside them.
At Easter, enjoy Easter-themed crafts and events such as Easter bonnet making and Easter biscuit decorating.
READ MORE: Things To Do In Glastonbury
Hauser and Wirth
In Bruton, Hauser & Wirth Somerset often offers community family days with free art-making activities inspired by the gallery’s exhibitions. These events are perfect for budding young artists and introduce children to the world of contemporary art in a fun, welcoming setting.
Coming up in 2025, events include:
- Open Farm (8 June) where you can get involved in creative workshops, a scavenger hunt and live music while celebrating all things farming
- Summer Fete (12 July) where you can explore their current exhibitions, their garden, enjoy live music, games and seasonal food.
- Pumpkin Festival (25 October) where you’ll have an opportunity to explore the exhibition and enjoy a day of family-friendly activities to celebrate the end of harvest.
Weston Museum
Weston Museum in Weston-super-Mare offers an engaging art experience for families exploring Somerset. Beyond its historical and art exhibits, the museum hosts a variety of hands-on art and craft workshops during school holidays. Making it an ideal destination for creative family outings.
Children can participate in themed workshops such as Circus Skills, Soap-making and Bath Bomb Making Workshops. These sessions are designed to inspire creativity and are suitable for various age groups.
For younger children, the museum offers Toddler Crafts sessions with themes like “Seaside” and “Mini Beasts,” providing sensory-rich activities that allow toddlers to explore art in a fun and interactive environment. Check out what’s on at Weston Museum.
With its diverse range of art-focused activities, Weston Museum provides an enriching environment for families to explore and enjoy art in Somerset.
Watch out for fun family art exhibitions, like the Axel Scheffler display. Famous for bringing characters like The Gruffalo and Stick Man to life, his colourful illustrations arrived in Weston in 2024 as part of the UK’s biggest public show of his work.
Museum of Somerset
The Museum of Somerset in Taunton offers an enriching art experience for families exploring Somerset. Housed in a historic 12th-century castle, the museum provides interactive exhibits and creative workshops that engage children with the county’s rich heritage.
During school holidays, families can participate in themed art and craft sessions, such as designing time-travelling telescopes in May Half Term. Additionally, the museum hosts Toddler Explorer sessions, combining themed arts and crafts, museum object exploration, and storytime, making it an ideal destination for young children to discover art in Somerset.
The Newt in Somerset
The Newt in Somerset offers seasonal craft events throughout the year, for both adults and children. These workshops give participants hands-on experiences of traditional crafts and nature.
During school holidays, The Newt provides fun activities for children at their forest school such as whittling and clay art. (Membership needed to book). Check out events and workshops at The Newt.
Hands-On Experiences with Local Makers
For an authentic experience, book a family-friendly workshop with local artisans.
Carantoc Art
Discover this welcoming, family-run pottery studio located in Weston-super-Mare, offering a variety of pottery classes and experiences for children and adults alike.
Carantoc Art offers engaging pottery classes tailored for young artists, including one-on-one sessions at the wheel, pottery parties, and holiday classes. These sessions are designed to accommodate pairs of adults and children starting from the age of four, encouraging family participation. Youngsters aged 13 and above can join independently.
The Kiln Café
The Kiln Café in Langport is a friendly pottery painting studio and café located in The Old Bank on Cheapside. Perfect for all ages, you can choose from a range of pottery to decorate, enjoy drinks and snacks while you paint, and return later to collect your glazed masterpiece. It’s also a great spot for hosting parties and creative events.
Booking is recommended, especially in school holidays!
Carymoor Environmental Centre
Carymoor Environment Centre offers eco-focused craft sessions, from recycled art projects to natural dyeing.
Seasonal Craft Events and Art Festivals
Throughout the year, Somerset plays host to numerous family craft festivals and seasonal markets:
Mid-Somerset Show (August) includes live craft demos and children’s creative zones
Frome Independent Market (monthly) is packed with handmade goods and often features free craft tables for kids
Wells Moat Boat Races & Craft Fair (August bank holiday)
These events are perfect for discovering local makers, supporting small businesses, and keeping kids entertained with interactive stations and hands-on fun.
Weston Wallz Festival and Street Art in Weston Super Mare
If you love street art, Weston super Mare has a fantastic street art festival which is held every summer. Now in its fifth year, Weston Wallz returns to Weston-super-Mare with a week-long programme of street art, live painting and creative workshops. From Saturday 19th – Sunday 27th July 2025, some of the country’s top street artists will be transforming walls in the town into stunning works of art.
At the Italian Gardens, the ever-popular S.M.Art Sprayjam & amp Workshops will return, offering young people and families the chance to take part in hands-on creative sessions and getting the opportunity to try out Posca Paint-pens and MTN Spray-paint. These workshops are designed to be accessible, informal, and welcoming to all.
The Langport Art Trail
During the weekend of Somerset Day (Friday 9th May – Sunday 11th May), Langport is celebrating with the first ever ‘Langport Art Trail’. There’s over 15 open venues in the area to visit and view/purchase a wide range of artworks and handmade items by local creatives and artists.
The curated exhibitions are open to visitors, creative workshops led by local artists, and enjoy live demonstrations such as live painting sessions. The event coincides with Langport’s regular Friday Market, the monthly Saturday Vintage Market, and culminates with a special Arty Market on Sunday, offering a variety of handmade treasures and local crafts.
Why Creative Days Out Matter for Families
Engaging in arts and crafts as a family helps children develop fine motor skills, boosts creativity, and provides a break from screens. For parents, it’s a chance to slow down, connect meaningfully with their children, and explore new hobbies together.
Whether it’s discovering cool street art or learning how to sculpt clay, creative family adventures in Somerset make memories that last.
Plan Your Creative Day Out in Somerset
Many art venues require advance booking, especially during holidays. Combine your creative outing with visits to local farm shops, tearooms, or walks in the countryside. Don’t forget your camera—there will be plenty of masterpieces to capture!
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