Community Discovery Day Celebrates Extraordinary Roman Ring and Coin Hoard
South West Heritage Trust and Ilminster Arts Centre are delighted to announce Ilminster Roman Ring Discovery Day, a free, family-friendly event celebrating the remarkable Ilminster Ring and coin hoard.
Taking place on Thursday 20 August 2026 from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm at Ilminster Arts Centre, the event will be a celebration of the Roman treasure and offer visitors the opportunity to explore its history through creative activities, community displays and a curator’s talk.
The acquisition of the ring and engagement programme has been made possible through funding from Arts Council England / V&A Purchase Grant Fund. The Discovery Day is further supported through the South West Heritage Trust’s Arts Council England NPO programme that takes museum collections into communities.
Dating to around AD 297, the Ilminster Ring is an extraordinary Roman gold finger ring weighing 48 grams and set with a finely engraved gemstone depicting the goddess Victory driving a two-horse chariot. Buried alongside a small hoard of coins, the ring is exceptional for both its scale and craftsmanship, making it one of the most important Roman finds from South West England.
Visitors to the Ilminster Ring Discovery Day will have the opportunity to view the Roman Ring alongside coins from the hoard, hear a talk by South West Heritage Trust Senior Curator Amal Khreisheh, and enjoy a display of artworks created by local primary school pupils.
Drop-in activities throughout the day include making a screen print from a design inspired by the Roman Ring, decorating a wearable ring to take home, transforming a side-profile photograph into a digital Roman coin, and contributing to an interactive audiovisual installation by wearing and sharing the story behind a personal treasured ring.
Amal Khreisheh, Senior Curator at South West Heritage Trust, said: “The Ilminster Ring is an extraordinary object that connects us directly to people living in Somerset more than 1,700 years ago. Its exceptional craftsmanship and remarkable preservation, alongside the Roman coin hoard with which it was discovered, make it a rare and significant find that sheds light on a pivotal moment in Somerset’s Roman history. We’re delighted to be able to share it with the community and to celebrate its story through a special day of activities that will inspire curiosity about Somerset’s rich heritage.”
Julie Manley, Chair of Ilminster Arts Centre, said: "We're delighted to host this free Discovery Day for the community and hope that as many people as possible will visit to enjoy this extraordinary historic exhibit, on show in our wonderful gallery. The day will be packed with interactive events, exploration and storytelling, including a display from local schools. It'll be a great opportunity for the local community to come together and celebrate a fascinating and beautiful piece of history found on its doorstep."
The Ilminster Ring and Hoard were acquired by the South West Heritage Trust on behalf of Somerset Council under the Treasure Act 1996 with generous support from the Arts Council England / V&A Purchase Grant Fund, Art Fund with a contribution from the Wolfson Foundation, and The Headley Trust, alongside vital contributions from the Friends of The Museum of Somerset, Ilminster Town Council, Taunton U3A and Ilminster Education Foundation.
The Ilminster Ring Discovery Day is a free, drop-in day. For more information visit ilminsterartscentre.com and swheritage.org.uk
