Teign Heritage
A volunteer-led local history museum in Teignmouth with maritime displays, a 16th-century Venetian wreck and a large photographic archive.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum was set up by the Teignmouth Historical Society and opened in July 1978 in an 18th-century building on French Street. It grew steadily into a small accredited local history museum run by volunteers as a charity.
The building was transformed in a project costing about £1.1 million, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and other funders, with a modern annexe added. The museum reopened as Teign Heritage on 28 May 2011 and won architecture and property awards the following year.
The displays are arranged in a Sea Gallery and a Shore Gallery. They cover shipbuilding and fishing on the River Teign, the Morgan Giles shipyard, the naval officer Admiral Pellew, the story of the amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst, and the remains of a 16th-century Venetian vessel found off Teignmouth beach in 1975. Other collections deal with the rise of the seaside resort, wartime, Brunel's railway and the local archive of more than 10,000 photographs.
Highlights
- Remains of the Church Rocks Wreck, a 16th-century Venetian ship
- Morgan Giles shipyard displays
- Admiral Pellew's uniform and flag
- Archive of more than 10,000 local photographs
- Rooftop terrace and lift access to the upper gallery
Permanent exhibitions
- Sea Gallery – Shipping on the River Teign, the Morgan Giles shipyard, Admiral Pellew, the Church Rocks Wreck and the story of Donald Crowhurst.
- Shore Gallery – How Teignmouth grew into a fashionable seaside resort, especially after the railway arrived in 1846.
- Founded
- 1978
- Operated by
- Teign Heritage (volunteer-led charity)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £2.50Visitors with disabilities and their carers or enablers |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Under 16s are free when accompanied by an adult. |
| Visitors with disabilities | £2.50Carers and enablers also pay £2.50. |
| Students & apprentices | £3With valid student ID. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Groups of 10 or more can arrange a special visit outside opening hours, usually on a Monday; the group price differs from the standard £5. |
The adult ticket includes free re-entry for one year. Members of Friends of Teign Heritage and National Art Pass holders enter free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- 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 a lift to the Shore Gallery as well as a spiral staircase, and a disabled toilet in the foyer. Audio guides are available and are useful for people with partial sight.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Baby changing facilities
There is a family-friendly area with quizzes, colouring sheets and dressing-up clothes. A baby-changing facility is in the foyer, and free children's activities are held on some dates.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Teignmouth station
The museum is across the main road from Teignmouth station. Nearby bus stops serve Dawlish, Dawlish Warren, Newton Abbot, Exeter and Torquay.
By car
Parking available
There is a small car park opposite the museum, another in front of the station, and a third about 5 minutes away on the A379 towards Dawlish.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
A small gift shop in the foyer can be visited without paying admission. There is a rooftop terrace with seating.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Up to 60 guests.
The Teign Room holds up to 60 people and can be hired outside normal opening hours.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Audio guide | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | no |
| Good to know | The museum currently cannot accommodate school visits because it has no education manager. Groups of 10 or more can book a visit outside opening hours. Guided history walks and a self-guided Teignmouth heritage trail are offered. |
