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What’s On

Barnstaple Prisoners: unveiling Barnstaple’s Victorian underclass 1867- 1877

02/12/2023  -  17/02/2024

Come and explore Barnstaple’s hidden underclass at the Barnstaple and North Devon Museum. Life was very hard for working-class people during the 19th century. This…

Wilfred Avery and the Unpredictable Image (1926 – 2016)

14/10/2023  -  27/01/2024

Devon-born Wilfred Avery (1926-2016) tackled just two subjects in his career: landscape and the male body. The inspiration he found in his childhood landscape became…

Documentary Photography Open 2024 – Speaking Out: Changing Times

10/02/2024  -  13/04/2024

The Museum's annual photography competition is now open, with the theme for this year being 'Speaking Out: Changing Times'.

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Stories

North Devon in 100 Objects: 99. Earth to Earth – Sam Spoons’ Bench

The bench now installed in the museum garden was originally constructed by Martin Ash in his garden at Fremington.  Made of salvaged bricks, the work…

North Devon in 100 Objects: 100. The COVID Quilt

Our final object brings our collections right up to date.  The North Devon COVID Quilt has been made by local sewers using scraps from the…

North Devon in 100 Objects: 98. Phyllis White’s Screen

This beautiful silk screen depicts Barnstaple Fair, which still upholds many of its traditions, including the ceremonial opening by the Mayor.

North Devon in 100 Objects: 97. A Shapland and Petter Desk

This beautiful desk was made over 100 years ago by Shapland and Petter of Barnstaple in their state of the art factory, part of which…

North Devon in 100 Objects: 96. Mr and Mrs Rendle

These rather primitive paintings are a bit of a mystery. 18th century in style, they are not the work of the kind of professional painter…

North Devon in 100 Objects: 95. A Pilgrim’s Ampulla

Pilgrim’s ampullae are small leaden flasks which were bought by early medieval pilgrims visiting a saint’s shrine. In the ampulla they carried away a drop…

Bromley's at the Museum

Named in honour of Bromley’s Cafe our tearoom is situated on the ground floor, where you can relax with beautiful views of the square.

Shop

Our bright and welcoming shop provides a range of unique gifts, inspired by the exhibitions and collections and promoting local makers.

Collections

Natural History

Over 10,000 plants and animals, including Victorian herbaria and the remains of the Barnstaple Elephant.

Archaeology

Archaeological material from the Paleolithic period to 18th century, including local excavated and chance finds.

Metalwork

Spanning the 16th Century onwards the collection includes tableware, decorative metalwork and ecclesiastical silverware.

North Devon Art Pottery

The museum holds one of the country's finest collections of North Devon Pottery from the medieval period to present day.

Shapland and Petter

Barnstaple's largest employer of the 20th century, the S&P collection includes some of the finest Arts and Crafts furniture.

Royal Devon Yeomanry

The museum is home to the military collections of the Royal Devon Yeomanry.

Volunteer With Us

There are many ways you can volunteer to care for North Devon’s heritage, helping to provide an amazing service to Barnstaple’s museum visitors.

Support Us

Our supporters mean a huge amount to the museum. Whether its making a donation during your visit or leaving a legacy in your will.