Museums in North Devon

Museums in North Devon

We are blessed along the North Devon coast, not just with our beautiful scenery, but also a wonderful heritage. Endorsing these credentials is a selection of local museums, so many of which are funded or run by volunteers, and many are open for many months of the year, meaning an all weather option is always available when visiting. Please do check the attractions individual website for current opening and pricing.

Ilfracombe Museum

A highly rated (by visitors on TripAdvisor) attraction. Based in the laundry rooms of a former hotel, this local and independently-run museum has a truly eclectic flavour, Ilfracombe museum has eight rooms filled with treasures. We have natural history specimens from around the world and plenty to see about Ilfracombe’s past. Come and experience a museum that is unique and family-friendly. Children can explore our insect, bat and spider specimens, have a go at a dinosaur quiz, or send Morse code messages. Try your hand at brass rubbing, or browse our great value gift shop. We also have extensive photographic and family history resources for Ilfracombe. Our museum is a perfect all-weather attraction and can be easily accessed by wheelchair. Pay parking in car park outside the museum. Or you can park at the nearby Carlton Hotel free of charge, space permitting.

Entry fees: Children under 16 FREE; Adults £5; Concessions £4; Annual season ticket £7.50.

Opening times 2018/19

to 21 December:  Tuesday to Friday 10.00 to 1.00

22 Dec – 1 January 2019:  Museum closed – gallery updates

2 Jan 2019 to 5 April:  Tuesday to Friday 10.00 to 1.00

Disabled access with exhibits on one level. Parking outside the museum in pay and display car park Toilet ( not disable accessible) Cafe and disabled toilet next door at Landmark Theatre

Disabled access:
We are on one level throughout, and all but one small gallery is wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible. We have free audio guides for those who have difficulty reading text. There is pay and display parking right outside the museum.

Gift Shop, Brass Rubbing ( small charge ). Childrens’ school holiday events.

Researchers: a research ticket gives you access to archives, photographs, town newspapers, parish records. Enquiries are welcome via email or in person, charges may apply.

Group visits can be arranged. Booked school parties are free of charge, please contact us for more information.

Runnymede Gardens
Wilder Road
Ilfracombe
EX34 8AF

T: 01271 863541
E: info.ilfracombemuseum@gmail.com

 

Combe Martin Museum

A local history museum which tells the story of Combe Martin over three floors, social, trade and industry and maritime history. We run Seashore Safaris in the summer, children’s activities and hold regular coffee mornings (see our website). The museum is Makaton friendly (symbol language) and accessible to those with a visual impairment through the use of the ‘Talking Pen’. The museum is very child friendly and accessible to wheelchair users. Free Wi-Fi. The museum is located as part of the tourist information centre.

Entry fees: Adults £2.50; Concessions: £1.50; Accompanied children: Free

Opening times

6 November – 24 March: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10.30 – 3.00

25 March – 31 October inclusive: Monday – Friday 10.30 – 5.00; Saturday and Sunday 11.00 – 3.00

During the school holidays we run craft workshops for children from 2-12 years.
If you wish to carry out Family History research and are travelling from away we can open by appointment.

Cross Street
Combe Martin
EX34 0DH

T: 01271 889031
E: combemartinmuseum@googlemail.com

Mortehoe Museum

Mortehoe
The gem in North Devon’s stunning coastline – no visit to North Devon is complete without discovering the “Mortehoe Experience.” The village, which lies on the Heritage Coast and at the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has a long and varied history.

Go on, discover the “Mortehoe Experience” – you’ll enjoy it!

Opening times

Closed winter period
23 March – 30 June & September/October: 11.00 to 3.00  (CLOSED MONDAYS, TUESDAYS  and SATURDAYS)
July & August: 10.00 to 4.00 (CLOSED MONDAYS and SATURDAYS)
T: 01271 870028

Museum of Barnstaple

Currently open and undergoing major extension works the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon tells the stories of the people and landscapes of North Devon.  Their collections include everything from most ancient rocks to brand new artworks.

Open Monday to Saturday all year round, and free to all.  North Devon Council provides our core funding so that we can care for our collections and make them accessible.

Our permanent galleries now include North Devon in the 20th century, and our temporary exhibitions change regularly.  We can provide resources for local schools, play activities for all the family, and talks for local groups.  We often get involved in projects with community groups and support other museums in North Devon.

Braunton Museum

The Museum is situated next to a large, car park. There is disabled access and a stair lift to the first floor with a folding wheelchair available. A small shop with gifts, souvenirs and local history booklets. Phone Museum to check opening times in January as occasionally the Museum closes for a short period for special cleaning and redecoration. Postal book service available. Limited local and family history research undertaken from our indexed transcriptions of the Parish Registers of St. Brannock’s Church, Braunton and the 1841-1901 census returns for Braunton. Facilities available, by appointment, for personal research plus Group bookings, Film shows, talks and quizzes.

The Bakehouse Centre
Caen Street
Braunton
EX33 1AA

Museum of British Surfing, Braunton

The Museum of British Surfing has what is believed to be the largest and most comprehensive public collection in Europe. Our policy with vintage surfboards is to collect at least one example of each British shaper. We also take in foreign-made surfboards if they have an important connection with British surfing.

National Trust Carriage Museum

The Carriage Museum in the stables has a vehicle for every occasion from cradle to grave. In the past carriages were as varied as cars are today: designed for long journeys, a trip to town, a day off-roading or simply a drive in the park.

Having the right type of carriage was a sign of good taste and wealth. Here at the museum there are over 40 different carriages on display, all were privately owned by people from middle-class families to earls and lords, and even Queen Victoria.

Open daily until 30 October 11am-5pm
Winter weekend opening 5 November-18 December, 11am-4pm.

Entry is free for National Trust members.
Normal admission price includes entry to Arlington gardens and grounds. Additional charges apply for entry to Arlington Court house.

The shop and tearoom open at 10:30am daily. Last admission to the Carriage Museum is 30 minutes before closing.

Arlington Court
Arlington
Barnstaple
EX31 4LP

T: 01271 850296
E: arlingtoncourt@nationaltrust.org.uk