Sidmouth Museum
Volunteer-run museum in the historic Hope Cottage in Sidmouth, telling the story of the town and the Sid Valley over two floors.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Sidmouth Museum goes back to 1950, when Mary Kilgour asked the Sid Vale Association to take over a local collection she had looked after with two other women. The museum first opened in Woolcombe House and moved to Hope Cottage in Church Street in 1970. The Sid Vale Association, a local society, still owns and funds the museum, and volunteers run it.
Hope Cottage is a Grade II listed building next to Sidmouth Parish Church. It was extended in 2020 to create more exhibition space and to improve access for visitors with disabilities. The museum shows the history of Sidmouth and the Sid Valley over two floors, and new displays are created every year.
The collections include lace, local archaeology and geology, local history and objects linked to notable local people. Displays cover the town in the Second World War, military medals and an early 19th-century panorama of the seafront. Interactive screens and QR codes give access to the museum's art, archives and digitised books, and guided walks start from the museum on weekdays during the season.
Highlights
- Two floors of displays on Sidmouth and the Sid Valley
- Lace collection and local art
- Interactive digital displays on the history of the town
- Guided walks from the museum on weekdays during the season
- Historic Grade II listed building beside the parish church
Permanent exhibition
- Sidmouth and the Sid Valley – Two floors of displays on the history and heritage of the town and valley, including lace, archaeology and local history.
- Founded
- 1950
- Operated by
- Sid Vale Association
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £2.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Visitors under 16 enter free. |
| Groups | –Special walks, talks and guided museum tours can be arranged for groups by e-mail. |
| Guided walk including museum admission on the day | £2.50Free for under 16s and Sid Vale Association members. |
Members of the Sid Vale Association enter free. As a volunteer-run museum it relies on admission fees and donations.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There is wheelchair access to the ground floor. The building was extended in 2020 to improve access for visitors with disabilities.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
The museum describes itself as family friendly, and visitors under 16 enter free.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the centre of Sidmouth. From the Market Place, walk up Church Street and the museum is straight ahead beside Sidmouth Parish Church. The what3words location is indoor.arch.number.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum sells goods through an online shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided walks around Sidmouth start and end at the museum every Monday to Friday during the season and last about 1.5 to 2 hours along a gentle route. Tickets are paid for at the museum before the walk. Interactive digital displays cover the history of Sidmouth, the art and lace collections and local biodiversity. |
