List of museums in Devon facts for kids

Welcome to a list of awesome museums in Devon, England! Museums are special places where people collect and look after cool objects. These objects can be about history, art, science, or even just interesting things from the past. They let everyone come and see their collections. This list also includes art galleries where you can see amazing paintings and sculptures. We won't be talking about museums that only exist online, just the real places you can visit!

Museums in Devon

A La Ronde

This unique, sixteen-sided house in Exmouth was built in the late 1700s. It's run by the National Trust and is full of unusual decorations and collections.

Allhallows Museum

Located in Honiton, this museum shares the local history of the area. You can see beautiful Honiton lace, old pottery, fossils, toys, and items from wars.

Arlington Court

This early 19th-century country house in Arlington is also run by the National Trust. It has antique furniture, family treasures, and a special museum just for carriages! Don't forget to explore its lovely gardens.

Ashburton Museum

In Ashburton, this museum teaches you about local history and culture. It even has a collection of artifacts from Native American people.

Axminster Museum

Discover the history, culture, and industries like farming in Axminster at this local museum.

Barnstaple and North Devon Museum

This museum in Barnstaple tells the story of local history in North Devon.

Barometer World

In Merton, this museum is all about Barometers! You can see a collection of these weather-predicting instruments, including the famous Tempest Prognosticator.

Berry Pomeroy Castle

Explore the ruins of a large medieval castle near Totnes. It's managed by English Heritage and has a fascinating history.

Bideford Railway Heritage Centre

Visit Bideford to see this railway heritage centre, perfect for train enthusiasts.

Bill Douglas Cinema Museum

Part of the University of Exeter, this museum in Exeter explores the history of film and visual media. It's packed with movie memorabilia!

Bomb Shelter

In Beer, this small museum tells the amazing story of a large bomb that fell during a war but didn't destroy the village.

Bradley

This medieval manor house in Newton Abbot is run by the National Trust. You can explore the house, riverside meadows, and woodlands.

Brixham Battery Heritage Centre

In Brixham, this centre focuses on local World War II military history. You can see a gun battery and a pill box.

Brixham Heritage Museum

Learn about the local history of Brixham, especially its fishing and shipbuilding industries.

Buckland Abbey

Near Buckland Monachorum, this former abbey is now a National Trust property. It has exhibits about famous explorers like Sir Richard Grenville and Sir Francis Drake.

Burton Art Gallery and Museum

Located in Bideford, this gallery features beautiful watercolours, oil paintings, and decorative arts. It also has Napoleonic ship models and local history displays.

Bygones Museum

Step back in time at this Torquay museum! It has Victorian shops and room displays, a model railway, military exhibits, and a 1940s and 50s shopping arcade.

Cadhay

This beautiful Elizabethan manor house and its gardens are located in Ottery St Mary.

Castle Drogo

Near Drewsteignton, this early 20th-century castle was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. It's a National Trust property with lovely gardens.

Clovelly

This historic fishing village in Clovelly includes the childhood home of Victorian author Charles Kingsley and a 1930s fisherman's cottage.

Cobbaton Combat Collection

In Chittlehampton, this museum has a collection of military artifacts, mostly from World War II.

Coldharbour Mill

Visit Uffculme to see a working spinning mill textile museum. It has historic steam engines (which run on Bank Holidays) and even a dolls house exhibition.

Coleton Fishacre

This 1920s Arts and Crafts style country home in Kingswear was once owned by Rupert D'Oyly Carte. It's a National Trust property with beautiful gardens.

Compton Castle

Near Marldon, this medieval fortress house is another National Trust site.

Crownhill Fort

In Plymouth, this Victorian-era fort has artillery and is operated by the Landmark Trust.

Dartmoor Prison Museum

Learn about the history of Dartmoor Prison in Princetown at this unique museum.

Dartmouth Castle

This coastal fortress in Dartmouth has a gun battery and is managed by English Heritage.

Dartmouth Museum

Housed in a 1640 merchant's house in Dartmouth, this museum covers maritime and local history. It also has a collection of ships in bottles.

Devon Railway Centre

In Bickleigh, you can ride a 2 ft (610mm) gauge passenger railway, see a narrow gauge collection, and enjoy miniature and model railway layouts.

Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre

Near Lifton, this centre celebrates fairground art and memorabilia. It has vintage rides, stalls, shows, and old steam engines.

Elizabethan House

This historic house in Plymouth offers a glimpse into the past.

Exeter's Underground Passages

Explore medieval underground passages in Exeter that were built to supply drinking water to the city.

Exmouth Museum

Discover the local history and culture of Exmouth at this community museum.

Fairlynch Museum

This museum in Budleigh Salterton is in an early 19th-century thatched house. It covers local history, costumes, lace, archaeology, and geology.

Finch Foundry

In Sticklepath, this water-powered forge is run by the National Trust. See how metal was worked in the past.

Golden Hind Museum, Brixham

Visit Brixham to see a museum ship replica of Sir Francis Drake's famous ship, the Golden Hind.

Greenway Estate

This Georgian house in Galmpton was owned by the famous author Agatha Christie. It's a National Trust property with 1950s decor and beautiful gardens.

Hartland Abbey

A former medieval monastery in Hartland, this country home has collections of pictures, furniture, and porcelain, plus lovely gardens.

Hele Corn Mill

In Hele, this 16th-century working watermill is a great place to see how corn was milled long ago.

Holsworthy Museum

Explore local history and period rooms in Holsworthy.

House of Marbles

Located in Bovey Tracey, this is a working glass and games factory set in an historic pottery. It has exhibits of glass, games, marbles, and Bovey Pottery.

Ilfracombe Museum

This museum in Ilfracombe covers a wide range of topics, including local history, natural history, Victoriana, maritime artifacts, and military items.

Kelly Mine

Near Lustleigh, this former iron mine shows you the equipment and mill used for mining, including Californian stamps.

Killerton

This 18th-century estate and garden in Broadclyst is a National Trust property. It also has a fantastic costume collection.

Kingsbridge Cookworthy Museum

In Kingsbridge, this museum tells the local and social history of the area. It features trades, crafts, William Cookworthy porcelain, and a Victorian kitchen.

Kirkham House

This late medieval stone house in Paignton is managed by English Heritage.

Knightshayes Court

A stunning Victorian country house designed by William Burges in Tiverton. It's a National Trust property with a beautiful garden.

Lyn and Exmoor Museum

Discover the local history, natural history, and culture of Lynton and the Exmoor area.

Merchant's House, Plymouth

This 17th-century house in Plymouth was home to three Plymouth mayors. It includes antique artifacts, prison equipment, and a Victorian school room.

Morwellham Quay

Near Tavistock, this is a restored 19th-century village, docks, and quays. You can even take a train tour of a copper mine!

Museum of British Surfing

In Braunton, this museum celebrates the history of surfing in the UK and has a cool surfboard collection.

Museum of Dartmoor Life

Located in Okehampton, this museum explores the local history, culture, and industries of Dartmoor.

Newcomen Engine House

In Dartmouth, this museum features a Newcomen steam engine and tells the story of its inventor, Thomas Newcomen.

Newton Abbot Town & GWR Museum

This museum in Newton Abbot covers local history, the Great Western Railway, and art.

North Devon Maritime Museum

Learn about the history of shipbuilding and seafaring in Appledore.

Old Bakery, Manor Mill & Forge

In Branscombe, this National Trust site has a restored bakery, a water-powered mill, and a forge.

Otterton Mill

Visit Otterton to see a 19th-century water mill, complete with a bakery and shop.

Overbeck's

This Edwardian house in Salcombe is a National Trust property. It has collections of stuffed animals, model ships, and doll houses.

Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery

In Plymouth, this museum covers local history, natural history, art, and archaeology.

Powderham Castle

This medieval castle in Powderham is the home of the Earl of Devon. It has a Victorian kitchen, a deer park, and beautiful gardens.

Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery

Located in Exeter, this large museum has collections of art, natural history, local history, archaeology, and world culture.

Saltram House

Near Plympton, this Georgian house designed by Robert Adam is a National Trust property. It has original decor and furnishings.

Seaton Museum

Also known as Axe Valley Heritage Museum, this museum in Seaton covers local history, archaeology, geology, and natural history.

Sidmouth Museum

In Sidmouth, this museum explores local history and the natural history of the amazing Jurassic Coast.

Smeaton's Tower

This 18th-century former lighthouse on Plymouth Hoe offers great views.

South Devon Railway: Buckfastleigh

This is the headquarters and museum for the South Devon Railway in Buckfastleigh. You can see steam locomotives and workshops.

South Molton Museum

Located in South Molton, this museum covers local history, trades, farming, and even toys.

St Nicholas Priory

Furnished as an Elizabethan town house from 1602, this historic house in Exeter offers a peek into the past.

Start Point Lighthouse

Visit Start Point to take a tour of this historic lighthouse.

Tamar Belle Visitor Centre

At Bere Ferrers, this Victorian railway station has old equipment, rolling stock, and memorabilia.

Tavistock Museum

Learn about the local history of Tavistock at this museum.

Teignmouth & Shaldon Museum

This museum in Teignmouth covers maritime and local history, art, and the history of railways and air transport in the area.

Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life

In Tiverton, this museum explores local history, railroads, transport, and social history.

Topsham Museum

This museum in Topsham is in a 17th-century house. It covers maritime and local history, natural history, and even has memorabilia of film star Vivien Leigh.

Torquay Museum

In Torquay, this museum has local history, exhibits about Agatha Christie, artifacts from Kents Cavern, and even a replica farmhouse interior.

Torre Abbey

This former abbey and country house in Torquay is now an art gallery with collections of fine and decorative art, plus beautiful gardens.

Totnes Castle

This well-preserved Norman castle in Totnes is managed by English Heritage.

Totnes Elizabethan House Museum

This 1575 Tudor house in Totnes has period rooms and local history, including information about computer inventor Charles Babbage.

Totnes Guildhall

Visit this 16th-century Tudor guild hall in Totnes, which once served as a court and prison.

Valiant Soldier

In Buckfastleigh, this museum shows what a 1960s pub and home looked like.

Watermouth Castle

This theme park in Watermouth also has a collection of Victorian antiques, old tools, amusement machines, and toys.

Defunct Museums

These museums are no longer open:

• Barnstaple Heritage Centre, Barnstaple (closed in 2016)
• Bradworthy Transport Museum, Holsworthy (closed in 2010)
• High Cross House, Totnes (closed in 2013)
• Motoring Memories Museum, Colyford (closed in 2011)
• Plymouth Dome (closed in 2006)
• Torrington 1646, Great Torrington (closed in 2015)
• Yelverton Paperweight Centre, Yelverton

See also

• Visitor attractions in Devon