Saltash Heritage
Free volunteer-run museum and local history centre in Saltash, with a small permanent display on the town and its characters plus a summer exhibition.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Saltash Heritage was formed in 1986 by a group of local people who wanted a permanent museum for Saltash. For many years it held annual exhibitions in the town's Guildhall. The aim was met in 2000, when the Saltash Museum and Local History Centre opened at 17 Lower Fore Street. The museum has since been awarded Accreditation by Arts Council England.
The museum has a small permanent display about the history of Saltash and its well-known characters, and each year a temporary exhibition on a different theme is shown from April to November. Past themes have included retail, wartime life, lost skills and communications. In 2026 a revised version of the exhibition on codes, secrets and communication stays on show until December and includes a section marking forty years of Saltash Heritage.
The Local History Centre is upstairs, above the museum. It helps visitors trace family trees and the history of their houses, using church and burial records, census returns and maps. Its collection includes more than 26,000 photographs, newspapers, documents, traders' bills and event programmes. The organisation is funded by subscriptions and fundraising and is run by volunteers. It plans to move to larger premises at 54 Fore Street, a former hearing centre in the middle of the main street, but for 2026 the museum remains open at Lower Fore Street.
Highlights
- Permanent display on Saltash history and local characters
- Annual summer exhibition (2026: codes, secrets and communication)
- Local History Centre with more than 26,000 photographs
- Help with family tree and house history research
Permanent exhibition
- Saltash history and characters – A small permanent display on the history of Saltash and its well-known local characters.
- Founded
- 2000
- Operated by
- Saltash Heritage (volunteer-run charity)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free; donations are welcome.
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
Parking available
Free parking at Waterside and Tamar Street, but it is a steep walk up to the museum. Pay-and-display parking at Alexandra car park and behind the Co-op. The Belle Vue Road car park, off Fore Street, has disabled toilet facilities.
Follow the signs for Town Centre and Fore Street, or cross the Tamar Bridge into Cornwall on the B3271 and turn left into Lower Fore Street; the museum is on the left. Cafes, pubs, shops and restaurants are on Fore Street.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The Local History Centre is upstairs, above the museum, and offers help with family tree and house history research. School groups visit the temporary exhibition. |
