The Burton at Bideford

About the museum

The Burton at Bideford opened on 31 October 1951 as the Meredith Englefield Art Gallery. It was set up by the local businessman Thomas Burton and the watercolour painter Hubert Coop, who wanted a peaceful place where everyone in the town could enjoy art. Burton built it as a memorial to his daughter Mary Meredith, an amateur artist who died in 1949, and the architect was Frank Whiting. After Burton died in 1959 the gallery was renamed the Burton Art Gallery.

The permanent collection grew from Coop's own paintings, porcelain and antiques, which he left to the town on condition that they were properly housed. It now also includes works by Colin Hunter, Bertram Prance and other early 20th-century artists, as well as pieces by contemporary artists. The collection covers works on paper and oil paintings, ceramics, photography and decorative arts, including the Judith Ackland and Mary Stella Edwards collection and the Bertram Prance collection.

Today the gallery is run by a charitable trust and is an accredited museum and a National Portfolio Organisation. It has several galleries with changing exhibitions, a museum, a shop, workshop rooms for hire and a café, and it also serves as Bideford's tourist information centre. A programme of workshops, talks and schools projects takes place throughout the year.

Highlights

• Permanent collection founded on the Hubert Coop bequest
• Works by Colin Hunter, Bertram Prance and contemporary artists
• Ceramics, photography and decorative arts collections
• Changing contemporary art exhibitions and workshops
• Café du Parc overlooking Victoria Park

Permanent exhibition

• The Permanent Collection – Paintings, works on paper, ceramics, photography and decorative arts, built on the Coop collection and named collections such as Judith Ackland and Mary Stella Edwards and Bertram Prance.

Founded

1951

Operated by

The Burton at Bideford (charitable trust)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the galleries and museum is free. Workshops and some events are charged separately.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 building and facilities are described as fully accessible. A wheelchair can be pre-booked, and a walker is available for visitors who need support. The lift has a door width of 75 cm and a depth of 115 cm. Contact the gallery for help planning a visit.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The programme includes workshops for children, such as clay workshops for ages 8 to 12 in the school holidays, as well as events for all ages.

Getting there & parking

The gallery is in Victoria Park, an easy walk from the town centre and the Quay. The Tarka Trail and the South West Coast Path run through Bideford, and National Cycle Routes 3 and 27 pass the town. Local taxis can be pre-booked.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café du Parc is a licensed French-style bistro café in the building, overlooking Victoria Park. There is also a gallery shop, and the front desk offers a tourist information service.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Workshop rooms can be hired.

Plan your visit