Axe Valley Heritage Museum

About the museum

The Axe Valley Heritage Museum is housed in the Town Hall on Fore Street in Seaton, Devon, and presents the history of the lower Axe Valley, including the neighbouring villages of Beer, Axmouth, Branscombe, Colyton and Colyford. It is known above all for its collection of old photographs of the area, most of them from the E. S. Gosling collection, which covers people and events from the mid 1800s to the recent past.

Other displays show Roman finds, many from the Honeyditches Roman villa site in Seaton and others from the Norman Whinfrey Roman collection, as well as the natural history of the area. A collection of fashionable dresses worn by local women from Victorian times to the 1920s was assembled by Paddy Norcombe, and the tools of the East Devon cabinet maker Francis James Chapple are also on show. The original Seaton Jubilee Clock, put up in 1887 for Queen Victoria's Jubilee and replaced in 1994, belongs to the displays too.

The museum offers children's activities during the season, a gift shop for local history books, digital displays and an interactive Jurassic Coast computer.

Highlights

• Old photographs of the Axe Valley from the E. S. Gosling collection
• Roman finds from the Honeyditches villa site in Seaton
• Victorian to 1920s dresses from the Paddy Norcombe collection
• Woodworking tools of the cabinet maker Francis James Chapple
• Original Seaton Jubilee Clock of 1887

Permanent exhibition

• Axe Valley collections – Photographs, Roman finds, natural history, Victorian costume and the original Seaton Jubilee Clock.

Founded

1987

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free; donations are welcome.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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

The museum states that it is not accessible for wheelchair users; it is on the top floor of the Town Hall.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum runs children's activities during the season.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Gift shop for local history books.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit