The Millhouse Arts Centre and Cafe

The Millhouse Arts Centre and Cafe The Millhouse, Ilminster is a creative hub in this part of Somerset. We are a great place to visit.
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Here you will find Contemporary Art, Music Events, an Art Gallery, Workshops and a great little café serving very special coffee and wonderful food.

03/10/2026

Tomorrow is the final day of Somerset Art Weeks (SAW) 2026. It's been a great two weeks down at The Millhouse. Come and see our wonderful artists, including Heather Ford - large-scale portrait artist and friend of our venue.

We caught up with Heather during the exhibition to find out more about what motivates her and her reflections on SAW.

SAW 2026's theme was cultural connections. In this short video, Heather talks about her unique style, using symbols in her colourful, impressive and impactful portraits of well-known characters or those she has chosen to paint, as she thinks they have an important message for society.

Heather talks about her 'Protest Portrait' in her painting of Virginia Giuffre, the victim of exploitation. She also talks about her former next-door neighbour, Bill Bailey, who is one of her subjects on display.

Heather talks about her connection to her art, the subject, and how she feels she has found her artistic tribe at The Millhouse, where she teaches weekly.

She has some great tips for other artists to follow their passion and not to be frightened of making mistakes: there are no mistakes in art.

Heather Ford
The Millhouse Arts Centre and Cafe
Methodical Bear



Produced by Methodical Bear Productions - supporting creatives to share their passion, story and their art.

03/10/2026

**Two days left of Somerset Art Weeks 2026**

Come down and check it out. Wander around the building, and you will be amazed at how much there is to see.

We were also told someone said The Millhouse was (in their opinion) "The Jewel in the Crown" of their recent exhibition experience. We were delighted with that feedback.

The whole building has come alive; we have seen so many people come back as returning visitors, new faces and lots of new cultural connections being made - on theme for the SAW 2026 vibe.

Someone said yesterday, "You don't get any idea of where you are in the building, or in the world actually". That's what The Millhouse is like. It has a timeless energy that enables creative sparks. It is a sanctuary of a time that the modern world is fast forgetting. So come down and enjoy a different pace of life and reset in the company of kindred spirits.

Cafe, river, nature, artists, music, possibility, event space, access to local footpaths, at The Millhouse Arts Centre and Cafe

🎵 OPEN MIC FRIDAY 9th OCTOBER | 7pm-11pm (ish) at The Millhouse, Ilminster. Music has always been at the heart of what w...
02/10/2026

🎵 OPEN MIC FRIDAY 9th OCTOBER | 7pm-11pm (ish) at The Millhouse, Ilminster.

Music has always been at the heart of what we do here at The Millhouse, and tomorrow we have another fantastic evening of live performers showcasing local talent.

Performers and supporters all welcome. Look forward to seeing you there. If you want to perform at our quirky grassroots and accessible venue, get in touch.

30/09/2026

Are you a creative entrepreneur with a vision? Looking for a place to call home for your existing business or a new idea? Love the Millhouse and rustic Somerset heritage? Want to be based next to a river where you can hear the birds sing and the trees rustle in the wind? Then we may have the space for you.

This fantastic downstairs room will be available from November.

It's essential that the next tenant brings energy to our creative hub, so it would suit activities that encourage daily footfall and work in harmony with other artist tenants and our events programming.

We are always open to new ideas, and people who want to dedicate time, energy and passion to making The Millhouse thrive.

Message for more details or call 07980 946465.

On the theme of Cultural Connections (the Somerset Art Weeks 2026 theme), we wanted to share some video footage of the i...
27/09/2026

On the theme of Cultural Connections (the Somerset Art Weeks 2026 theme), we wanted to share some video footage of the incredible performance back in August by Ricky Romain (sitar) and Steve Scott (Tamboura). It was mesmerising, poetic, inspiring and alive.

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/WWCpACIKZdU

It shows how dynamic interactions between instrument, performer, and audience can spark cultural connections (in this case, through traditional music from North India) in a moment in time.

The Millhouse was the perfect venue for this resonant instrument. Thank you to everyone for making it a special evening.

We have lots more live music coming this year, so watch this space as the walls of the Millhouse are once again filled with incredible musicianship.

Ricky is also a renowned artist and a human rights activist.



22/09/2026

Just a quick note to say there's no open mic at The Millhouse Arts Centre and Cafe this Friday (25th Sept). But we do have some exciting news to announce about what is happening on the 4th Friday of October. More on that very soon...

Address

Rose Mills Industrial Estate, Hort Bridge
Ilminster
TA199PS

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 3pm
Saturday 10am - 2:30pm

Telephone

+44146052866

Website

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