Museum of Dartmoor Life
Volunteer-run museum in Okehampton showing everyday life, work, folklore and landscape of Dartmoor across six themes.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton traces its roots to 1976, when John Young and the Okehampton and District Museum Association set out to create a place for Dartmoor's heritage. A derelict mill was bought that year with the support of the Town Council, and the museum opened on 4 July 1981. Later renovations improved the visitor experience, and digitisation projects are preserving its archives. It is a registered charity and is largely run by volunteers.
The collection covers the rural communities of Dartmoor with everyday objects, tools, clothing, photographs and artworks. It shows crafts such as blacksmithing, weaving and quarrying, and themes including farming, tin mining and the military presence on the moor. The first major donation came from the local historian Alan Endacott.
The displays are arranged in six themes: Nature and Landscape, Prehistoric Dartmoor, Living on Dartmoor, Working the Moor, Myths and Legends, and Transport and Travel. A short film, The Round House of Okehampton, was made by two local students. The museum also runs a programme of school visits and offers touch tours and silent tours for visually impaired visitors.
Highlights
- Six themed displays on Dartmoor life, from prehistory to transport
- Folklore and myths and legends of the moor
- Touch tours and silent tours for visually impaired visitors
- Digital audio presentations and collection index online
- Volunteer-run charity museum with a courtyard café
Permanent exhibition
- Dartmoor life in six themes – Displays on nature and landscape, prehistoric Dartmoor, living and working on the moor, myths and legends, and transport and travel.
- Founded
- 1981
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £6 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £4free up to age 2 · Child or student in full-time education aged 3 to 16; under 3s are free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Personal assistants enter free. |
| Students & apprentices | £4Students in full-time education aged 3 to 16 pay the child price. |
| Groups (10+ people) | £4.50 per personPer adult in groups of 10 or more; children's groups pay £2 per child. |
| Families | £14For 2 adults and 2 children. |
| Family ticket for 1 adult and 2 children | £11 |
Tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The building and lift are wheelchair accessible, but wheelchairs or mobility devices 75 cm or wider may not reach some areas of this Grade II listed building, so visitors with larger devices should contact the museum in advance. Large-print and braille information, seating and quiet spaces are available, and touch tours and silent tours are offered for visitors with visual impairment or other additional needs. Assistance dogs are welcome and a water bowl is available at reception. An accessibility guide can be downloaded from the website.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £14 · For 2 adults and 2 children. |
Family tickets and discounted children's group rates are offered, and the museum has published a Kids in Museums manifesto.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Okehampton station · 15-min walk
Okehampton railway station is about a 15-minute walk away, with hourly trains to Exeter St Davids (about 40 minutes), most calling at Exeter Central. Buses serve Okehampton, and the Granite Way, an 11-mile car-free cycle route, is nearby.
By car
Paid parking
Mill Road long-stay car park (EX20 1PR): up to 2 hours £2.00, up to 4 hours £2.90, all day £3.60. Market Street short-stay car park (EX20 1WL), maximum 3 hours: 1 hour £1.00, 3 hours £2.20. Both charge Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm. There is also a small museum car park.
There are bike racks outside the museum, and cycle hire is available at the station.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
The nearest toilets are in the café in the Museum Courtyard.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The website offers audio guides and a digital presentation, and there are touch tours and silent tours. School visits and home-educator sessions are bookable. |
