Allhallows Museum
Free volunteer-run museum in Honiton's oldest building, home to a major collection of Honiton lace and local history.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Allhallows Museum occupies the oldest building in Honiton, which began as a chapel and is documented from before 1327. In the sixteenth century it housed a school, probably teaching choirboys to sing in Latin and to read and write. Part of the chapel was demolished to make room for St Paul's Church, and the remaining part became the schoolroom of Allhallows Grammar School until 1903. It was then converted back into a chapel as a memorial to former pupils killed in the South African War. The school moved to Rousdon in 1938, and during the Second World War the building served as an air raid precautions first aid post.
After the war the trustees opened the building to the public as Allhallows Museum on 13 November 1946. It is a registered charity (no. 306645) run entirely by volunteers, with the aim of preserving the heritage of Honiton and the surrounding district. It received Full Accreditation from Arts Council England in 2022.
The collection is best known for what it describes as the largest collection of Honiton lace in the world, dating from the seventeenth century to the present. Other displays cover local archaeology, pottery, fossils of the Honiton hippos, toys, Allhallows School and the Second World War.
Highlights
- Honiton lace collection from the 17th century to today
- Brass plaque of 1617 giving the earliest written evidence of Honiton lace making
- Victorian mourning lace
- Honiton hippo fossils found in 1965
- Honiton Pottery in the Murch Gallery
- Furnished Victorian dolls' house
Permanent exhibitions
- Honiton lace – A large collection of Honiton lace from the seventeenth century to the present, including Victorian mourning lace.
- Murch, Nicoll and Norman Galleries – Galleries on Honiton Pottery, local finds from the Bronze Age to the medieval period, the Honiton hippo fossils, toys and wartime items.
- Founded
- 1946
- Operated by
- Allhallows Museum (registered charity no. 306645)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free for everyone; the museum welcomes donations (a roof appeal is running).
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Level wheelchair access to the Nicoll and Norman Galleries through a separate door beyond the main entrance; press the bell on the red door in the porch for help. A stair lift, hearing loop, magnifying glass, torch and wheelchair are available on request. The nearest toilets are in a car park about 400 metres away.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Public car parks are signposted; the High Street has one-hour parking, and a car park with toilets is about 400 metres away.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours, group visits and visits outside normal hours can be arranged in advance by phone or email. School visits last about an hour for up to 40 children (one adult per eight children); teachers can make a free preview visit, and a Second World War handling box can be borrowed. |
