Hartland Quay Museum
A seasonal museum at Hartland Quay on the North Devon coast telling of shipwrecks, life-saving services and the quay's trade.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Hartland Quay was built towards the end of the 16th century, one of several quays along this stretch of coast. Lime, slate and coal came in from across the Bristol Channel and local barley and oats were shipped out. After the railway reached Bideford the pier was no longer maintained, and most of it had been destroyed by storms by 1896.
The coast around the quay saw many shipwrecks. The worst was the steamship Uppingham, which stranded in November 1890 with the loss of many lives. Within three months the Hartland Quay Life Saving Apparatus Company was founded and a rocket house was built on the cliff.
The museum is run from the Hartland Quay Hotel and tells the story of four centuries of shipwrecks, the local life-saving services and the people and ships that traded from the quay. Further displays cover smuggling, wrecking and rescues, local coastal plants and animals, geology and vanished local industries.
Highlights
- Four centuries of shipwreck stories
- Photographs and artefacts from wrecked ships
- Local life-saving services
- History of the quay from the 16th century
- Smuggling, wrecking and local geology
Permanent exhibition
- Shipwrecks and the story of the quay – Displays on four centuries of shipwrecks, the local life-saving services, smuggling and wrecking, and the ships and people that traded from the quay.
- Operated by
- Hartland Quay Hotel
Admission & discounts
A small admission fee is charged to help cover running costs; the current price is not published.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Paid parking
Three car parks at the quay cost £4 per day in the main season, from Easter until October half-term. Overnight camping or sleeping in vehicles is not allowed.
The quay lies on the South West Coast Path, at the end of a winding road about half a mile beyond St Nectan's Church in Stoke. The postcode EX39 6DU leads to the church; continue for half a mile. Drivers should note that the nearest petrol station is about 15 miles away.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
The Hartland Quay Hotel has the Wreckers Retreat bar, which serves food. From Easter to October half-term a shop on the quay opens from 11am daily. Public toilets are available.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
