Bygones

About the museum

Bygones opened to the public on 23 May 1987 in a former cinema on Fore Street in St Marychurch, Torquay. It grew out of Ken Cuming's collection of railway items, which he built up in the 1980s with his wife Patricia, and it is still run by three generations of the Cuming family.

Inside, a life-size Victorian street with 15 shops and nine period rooms forms the heart of the visit. Further displays cover the railways, including a model railway, wartime Britain, and shopping through the decades. A military section on the top floor includes a First World War trench, a Second World War Anderson shelter and medals from the Battle of Trafalgar to the Falklands.

The museum holds over 2,000 genuine objects spanning more than a century of British life. A themed tearoom and small shops complete the visit, and the building has three floors with no lift.

Highlights

• Life-size Victorian street with 15 shops
• Nine period rooms
• Railway displays and a model railway
• Wartime Britain, with a WWI trench and a WWII Anderson shelter
• Station Tearoom

Permanent exhibitions

• Victorian street and period rooms – A life-size Victorian street with 15 shops and nine period rooms, shown on the guided tour.
• The railways and model railway – Railway objects and a model railway, reflecting the collection that started the museum.
• Wartime Britain and militaria – Home front displays, a First World War trench, an Anderson shelter, and medals, uniforms and weapons.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Cuming family

Admission & discounts

On Fridays visitors with a Devon, Cornwall, Somerset or Dorset postcode get 20 percent off general entry with proof of residence (not for groups of 15 or more). Payment by cash or debit card only; booking is not necessary.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The building dates from the 1920s and has three floors but no lift. Wheelchair access is limited to the ground floor, which is cobbled; reception and the shop are at street level. Mobility scooters cannot go beyond reception, where they can be left. Stairs have handrails with seats along the way. Toilets are on the ground floor, reached by steps down. Guide dogs are welcome and a ground-floor-only rate is offered to visitors with disabilities and registered carers.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Seasonal family events are held, there are interactive displays and dressing up, and hundreds of vintage toys, games, bears and dolls are on show. Pushchairs cannot be taken round because of the stairs and must be left at reception. Dogs on a lead are welcome.

Getting there & parking

The Babbacombe Cliff Railway, which runs to Oddicombe Beach, is about five minutes away on foot.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The themed Station Tearoom serves drinks, cakes and cream teas; food and drink from outside may not be brought in. The Old Town Gift and Sweet Shop and a military shop are on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit