Exmouth Museum

About the museum

Exmouth Museum and Heritage Centre tells the story of the fishing hamlet at the mouth of the River Exe that grew into a seaside resort and became the largest town in Devon. It is housed in buildings in Sheppards Row that were once a local board's yard, where a foreman's cottage and stables for the dray horses were built in 1883.

By 1983 the horses were long gone and the yard was full of old equipment. The Museum Society of Exmouth, led by Eric Delderfield, raised money to convert the buildings. The Stables gallery opened in 1985, the Hayloft followed in 1986 and the Cottage in 1990. After changes of ownership, the museum bought its buildings from South West Water in March 2021 with donations and a loan, and fundraising continues to repay it and improve access.

The museum is run entirely by volunteers. Its displays show personal possessions, photographs and stories about local people, families and businesses, including a uniform from the town's First World War Voluntary Aid Detachment hospital. In the Hayloft visitors can try on different kinds of headgear. The museum also runs school and group visits, care home reminiscence sessions and a research service.

Highlights

• Local history of Exmouth in three historic buildings
• Photographs, personal possessions and stories of local families and businesses
• First World War Voluntary Aid Detachment uniform and photographs
• Hayloft dress-up headgear for visitors
• Run entirely by volunteers

Permanent exhibitions

• The Stables – The ground-floor gallery in the former council stables, with displays on Exmouth's people, trades and wartime history, including a First World War hospital uniform.
• The Cottage and the Hayloft – Further galleries of local artefacts and photographs; the first-floor Hayloft has dress-up headgear for visitors.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Exmouth Museum and Heritage Centre

Admission & discounts

Adults, including seniors, pay £2.50; children and students are free. Admission contributes to running costs.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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 Stables gallery on the ground floor is suitable for wheelchair users. The Cottage can currently be entered only by smaller wheelchairs because of the historic layout, and the Hayloft on the first floor can be reached only by stairs; staff will show photographs and information about its exhibits to visitors who cannot climb them. Assistance animals may be admitted, and other dogs at the discretion of the stewards. Visitors are encouraged to talk to the steward on duty about access needs, and a short video about access is available on the website.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Children can try on different kinds of headgear in the Hayloft area.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Sheppards Row in Exmouth, next to the town's water pumping station.

Amenities & dining

Large bags and rucksacks can be left at reception at the steward's discretion. The museum also sells items related to Exmouth's history.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit