The Engine Room
The Engine Room is an accessible community media centre and Somerset Film’s base in Bridgwater.
Flexible studio space, superfast wi-fi, central location and our experienced team makes it the ideal place for meetings, live-streaming events and connecting with the local community. Located in Bridgwater High Street, our accessible facilities include:
Studio spaces for training, meetings, filming or live-streaming
Licensed Cinema Space
Editing & Production Suites
Office space
Somerset Film Opening Times
Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
The Engine Room Opening Times
Café: Monday - Friday 10am - 3.30pm from Monday 13th January 2025
Open on ad hoc basis for other events
Accessibility
Level Access
The main entrance has level access.
There is level access to our café studio, gender neutral toilets including an accessible toilet next to Café Studio, Studio Two and Studio Three.
All toilets have level access.
There is a slope to access a small external back yard area, which we fondly refer to as 'Central Park'.
The first floor in number 52 High Street, where our archive room, green room and Seed Sedgemoor office are located, is accessible by a stair lift. Each room has level access.
The first and second floor in number 50 High Street, where the staff office, Studio 3 and Shepherd Studio are located, are accessible via a lift. The rooms have level access.
Hearing
Most staff have disability awareness training. We have also received training in film subtitling.
Visual
The walls and the doors have high colour contrast.
Some parts of the venue have lighting, which is adjustable.
Our brochure is available on request in audio and large print format.
General
Assistance dogs are welcome and water bowls can be provided.
The café welcomes well behaved dogs.
There are short term parking bays opposite and close to The Engine Room, which can be parked in for longer by Blue Badge holders.
Plan your visit
As an organisation, Somerset Film has declared a climate emergency and we're encouraging everyone who visits us - either at The Engine Room or at one of our outreach locations - to walk or cycle where possible, to use public transport or to car share. If you have to use your car, you might like to consider offsetting your travel through an organisation such as this.
Walking
Our address is 52, High Street, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 3BL.
We are located in the High Street and easily located on foot. Bridgwater has a rich heritage so whilst you are in the town you can enjoy a heritage trail and local independent shops. There are also additional local walking trails such as Coleridge Way and River Parrett Trail. If you're passing fill up your water bottle in our café!
Bus to The Engine Room
We are an eight minute walk from Bridgwater Bus station, where a number of National Express coaches stop and local buses including Number 75 (Wells and Street), local service number 14 (Bridgwater hospital to Nether Stowey) and Number 21 (Taunton).
Bus number 21 if coming from Burnham-on-Sea also drops off opposite Angel Place Shopping Centre in the High Street. From there walk up the High Street away form the main shopping area in Fore Street and we are on the opposite side of the road.
Travelling by Car to The Engine Room
Download directions from the M5 here. Our address is 52, High Street, Bridgwater, TA6 3BL.
The nearest car parks are in Market Street (you will need the paybyphone app to park here or cash) and at Angel Place Shopping Centre. Additional car parks can be found in Mount Street.
Here are a list of the closest electric car charge points to The Engine Room:
3 minute walk: Northgate Yard, Mount Street, Bridgwater TA6 3ER (Mer Charging Station: 4 spaces)
9 minute walk: Morrisons, 1 Broadway, Bridgwater TA6 3LN (GeniePoint Charging Station: 3 spaces)
9 minute walk: ALDI, Northgate, Bridgwater TA6 3EU (Shell Charging Station: 2 space)
10 minute walk: Mercure Hotel, 56-66 Eastover, Bridgwater TA6 5AR (5 spaces)
13 minute walk: Quantock Gateway, 95 Wembdon Road, Bridgwater TA6 7PJ (Evyve Charging Station: 2 spaces)
There are short term parking bays (one hour) opposite The Engine Room and slightly further up on the right hand side of the road. The High Street is one way.
There is also a loading bay directly outside the Engine Room. If you use this bay to collect equipment please be aware that parking attendants will require you to have your car boot open as an indicator that you are loading.
Cycling to The Engine Room
It's Better by Bike!
Please note that the High Street, where we are located, is a one way road. There are a number of posts suitable for locking up bikes to, directly opposite the entrance to The Engine Room. We can also accommodate a number of bikes in our secure back yard.
Somerset County Council has produced a series of walking an cycling maps using a network of off and on-road maps, you can download one for Bridgwater here.
Train to Bridgwater
Bridgwater Station is on the Bristol to Taunton line, operated by GWR. With frequent services from Bristol and Exeter, it's an ideal way to reach us from towns such as Taunton or Weston-Super-Mare or further afield such as Paddington or Plymouth. If you have a physical disability then please be aware that Bridgwater station has limited accessibility - further info on facilities here. When you arrive take a moment to enjoy the Grade II Listed station buildings, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
The station is a 16 minute walk away from The Engine Room and on the way, you'll cross the River Parrett and pass a range of historic buildings that hark back to the town's heyday as a port town, especially along West Quay.
