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whatsonexmoor.com - THE EXMOOR DIRECTORY

Exmoor Museums and Collections

 

Scroll down or select from these bookmarks:

1.  Allerford Rural Life Museum 
2.  Arlington Court 
3.  The Bakelite Museum 
4.  The National Museum of Baking 
5.  Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon 
6.  Cobbaton Combat Collection 
7.  Cleeve Abbey 
8.  Coldharbour Mill 
9.  Coleridge Cottage 
10.Combe Martin Museum 
11.closed 
12.The Dunster Dolls Museum 
14.Dunster Working Water Mill 
15.Guildhall Heritage Centre 
16.Lyn and Exmoor Museum 
17.Porlock Museum (Dovery Manor) 
18.Quantock Hills Visitor Centre 
19.Somerset County Museum 
20.Somerset Military Museum 
21.Somerset Cricket Museum 

22.Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust 
23.Tiverton Museum 
24.Watchet Market Museum 
     Watchet Boat Museum
25.Wireless in the West

    

Museum

Details

Allerford Rural Life Museum

1

"Implements and Crafts of Bygone Days in West Somerset.
A Victorian schoolroom with children's cloths for dressing up,  Photograph collection,  Craft demonstrations,  Picnic area,  Croquet."

Open
Good Friday until end of Oct. Mon-Fri:10.30am-1pm/2pm-4.30pm
Sundays: Mid July-end Aug. 2-4.30pm
Location  The Old School, Allerford, Nr Minehead  TA24 8HN   MAP
Tel (01643) 86252

Arlington Court 

2

"A 'House of Collections' including model ships, shells, pewter, furniture."
Shop, Licensed restaurant and tea-room, free car park.
Carriage rides and carriage driving school.
Parkland, woodland, and lakeside walks. Shetland ponies and Jacob sheep.
Victorian Gardens (see Open Gardens for details)
Original stables with horse-drawn carriage collection

Open:
Check website for latest opening times
Apr-Mid Sep Sun-Fri 11am-5.30pm and BH Sats.
Mid Sep-end Oct;  Mon-Fri 11am-4.30pm;  Suns 11am-5.30pm
Nov-Mar Gardens and Parkland only, open during dayight hours.
Location : Arlington, Barnstaple, N. Devon, EX31 4LP   MAP

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The Bakelite Museum

3

"The Bakelite Museum brings the past to life with a fascinating display of the largest collection of vintage plastics in the country.   Lovely water mill setting, tea rooms, vintage caravans, rural life collection and play area.  A great day out for all the family" 

Open
Easter to end Sept. Term time: Thurs-Sat 10.30am-6pm. School holidays: every day 10.30am-6pm.
Location Orchard Mill, Williton, TA4 4NS MAP (just outside the village off the Minehead road)
Tel (01984)632133

The National Museum of Baking

4

A nation-wide collection being gradually transferred to the Combe Sydenham site. Currently, changing displays of bread and cake-making equipment dating back to the mid-Victorian era. Working Corn mill and Craft Bakery.

Open  Sunday - Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Easter - end October
Location  Combe Sydenham Country Park, Monksilver, Taunton TA4 4JG  MAP
Tel (01984) 656284

Cobbaton Combat Collection

 

6

"A hobby which got out of hand !"
"Hidden deep in the Devon countryside, this amazing collection of militaria  is the life-time work of one man who started collecting as a schoolboy.  Besides many exhibits from WW2, there are also sections devoted to the First War, the Falklands War and the Gulf War, making this both an entertaining and educational attraction." 

Open
1 April - 31 Oct: 10am-6pm.  Most Winter weekdays (plse phone)
Catering during the season.  Children's play area
Location Chittlehampton, Umberleigh, Nr Barnstaple, N. Devon.  EX37 9RZ   MAP
Tel (01769) 540740

Cleeve Abbey

 7

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"One of the few 13th-century monastic sites where you can still see such a complete set of cloister buildings". Some of England's finest cloisters.  "Magnificent architecture. Unique wall paintings.  Peaceful, riverside location".
Owned by English HeritageSee their website for details (no direct link available).

Open
1 April - 30 Sep: 10am-6pm daily.
1 Oct - 31 Oct: 10am-5pm daily.
1 Nov - 31 March 2001: 10am-1pm, 2-4pm daily.
Closed 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan 2001.
Location: 
Washford,   TA23 0PS  MAP     E of Minehead, quarter mile S of the A39.
Tel
(
01984) 640377

Coldharbour Mill

8  

 

 

Working Wool Museum.  "Step back and experience life in the past."
"All-weather attraction with so much to see and do.  Impressive industrial heritage museum in the heart of Devon.  Exciting guided tours of working spinning & weaving machines in a Victorian factory.  Two giant mill engines and 1888 Lancashire boiler.  Fantastic New World Tapestry.
Mill Shop, selling gifts, souvenirs, knitted yarn, woven cloth and Devon Tartan."

Open April-Oct: 10.30am - 5pm daily.  (last tour 4pm) Nov-Mar: Mon-Fri
(During the winter please tel. for restaurant and guided tour times).
Location Uffculme, Cullompton, Devon, EX15 3EE   MAP
Tel (01884) 840960

Coleridge Cottage

9

Home of poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1797-1800 where most of his famous works were written
(National Trust)

Open 2 April - 1 Oct: Sunday, and Tuesday - Thursday 2.00pm-5.00pm
Location  35 Lime Street, Nether Stowey, Bridgwater TA5 1NQ 
MAP
Tel (01278) 732662
Combe Martin Museum

10

"Visit the small museum which illustrates with artefacts, photographs, maps and pictures of th eold village industries of silver mining, lime quarrying and burninig, agriculture and horticulture together with details of its maritime history.  Guided tours of key industrial sites available.

Open end of May until mid Sept 1.30pm-4pm Sun-Fri incl.  11am-4pm school holidays.
Location 4 Kingsley Terrace, Combe Martin EX34 0EW  MAP  (overlooks Newberry Beach)
Tel (01271)882636

The Dunster Dolls Museum

12

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Unique collection founded by Mollie Hardwick of over 800 dolls from many periods. Historic to modern, costume and foreign, artists' and fashion dolls. Costumed "Sasha" collection; a Victorian Dolls House and "Britains" garden.

Open  Daily: 10.30 am - 4.30 pm, Easter to October
Location Memorial Hall, High Street, Dunster, Minehead TA24 6SF 
MAP
Collections: Housed upstairs.
Tel (01643) 821220
Dunster Working Water Mill

14

 

"The West Country's finest working water mill. Built 1680, the mill is set in magnificent surroundings alongside the River Avill, only minutes from Dunster Castle and the High St.  See how flour is produced as the wheat grain is fed down to the grinding stones before being bagged up for local bakeries.  Fascinating collection of ancient agricultural machinery in the integral museum."
Shop, Tea room and Garden

Open 1 Apr-31 Oct daily except Fri 10.30am-5pm. July/Aug open every day.
Parking nearby
Location Mill Lane, Dunster TA24 6SW  MAP
Tel (01643)821759

Guildhall Heritage Centre

15

The centre in Dulverton has a small museum of the town 100 years ago that includes a cottage showing living conditions of the 19th Century.  The Exmoor Photographic Archive; and an excellent exhibition and art gallery with successive exhibitions throughout the season.

Open One week before Easter until 1st/2nd Nov.  10am-4.30pm daily
Location Guildhall Heritage Centre, Monmouth Terrace, Dulverton  TA22 9EY  MAP

Lyn and Exmoor Museum

16

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Display includes an Exmoor kitchen, a collection of tools and agricultural implements, natural history, archeological and geological exhibits; a collection of paintings, prints and photographs of the locality and a model of the Lynton/Barnstaple Railway which closed in 1935.

Open Easter to end Oct Mon-Fri 10am-12.30pm, 2pm-5pm  Sundays 2-5pm
Location St. Vincents Cottage, Market St. Lynton, EX35 6AF MAP  (adjacent to Bottom Meadow car park opp the school).
Tel (01598)752205

Porlock Museum (Dovery Manor)

17

Local, Social and Natural History of the locality.  Housed in a lovely 15thC Manor building the exhibits include an interesting collection of photographs, press cuttings and displays of the Porlock Parish.

Open Easter: 1 week (Thursday to Wednesday excl Sunday)
1 May - 30 September: Monday - Friday 10.00 am - 1.00 and 2.00 - 5.00 pm
Saturday: 10.00 - 12.00 and 2.30 - 4.30 (Not open Sundays)
Admission: Free (Donations invited)
Location  Dovery Manor, Doverhay, Porlock, Minehead TA24 8PS MAP  (opp Doverhay car park at the Minehead end of the village)
Tel (01643) 862316
Quantock Hills Visitor Centre

18

Interpretation of the human and natural history of the Quantock Hills

Open Monday 2.30pm - 5.00pm; Wednesday 10.00am - 12.30pm and 2.00 pm-5.00pm and Friday 10.00am - 12.30pm, 2.30pm - 5.00pm and
5.30pm - 7.30 pm
Admission: Free
Location  The Library, The Old Primary School, Nether Stowey, Bridgwater  
Tel (01278) 732741

Somerset County Museum

19

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Natural history, geology, archaeology, social and industrial history and art mainly relating to Somerset; Taunton Deane Gallery; Colthurst Collection of Chinese pottery; Temporary Exhibition Gallery.

Open  Tuesday-Saturday 10.00-5.00 including most Bank Holidays [other Mondays closed].
Location  The Castle, Castle Green, Taunton TA1 4AA  
MAP
Tel (01823) 320201

Somerset Military Museum

20

Somerset Light Infantry; North Somerset & West Somerset Yeomanries; Militia; Rifle Volunteer corps; Territorial Army and today's Regiment - The Light Infantry.

Open As for Somerset County Museum
Location The Castle, Castle Green, Taunton TA1 4AA 
MAP  (Correspondence address: 14 Mount Street, Taunton TA1 3QE)
Tel (01823) 320201 or 333434
Somerset Cricket Museum

21

Cricketing memorabilia mainly relating to Somerset County Cricket Club

Open  April - October: Monday - Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm (longer hours on match days)
Location  7 Priory Avenue, Taunton TA1 1XX 
MAP
Tel (01823) 275893
Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust

22

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Railway relics and rolling stock, including a complete signalbox - mainly Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway.

Open March - end of October: open 10.00 am - 5.00 pm on any day West Somerset Railway trains are running.
Location  Washford Station, Watchet TA23 0PP  
MAP
Tel  Washford Station (01984) 640869

Watchet Market Museum

24

"Discover the history of this ancient port.  Fossils from the local cliffs.  Remains of the Woolly Mammoth.  Coins minted for Saxon and Norman Kings.  The Iron Ore Mines and their unique Railway.  Sailors and Sailing Vessels.  Paintings, photographs and models.  Video: "The Watchet Story."

Open Daily at Easter and 1 May-30 Sept. 10.30am-12.30pm/2.30-4.30pm.  Also in Jul and Aug:7-9pm
Admission free
Location Market St. Watchet, TA23 0AN 
MAP  (Near the harbour slipway.)
Tel Curator (01984) 631345

Watchet Boat Museum Collections: Somerset flatners and ancillary items
Facilities: shop, school parties, disabled visitors, parking plus research facilities and archive available by appointment

Open Easter to end October - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 2.00 - 4.00
Admission free
Location Harbour Road, Watchet
Tel Curator (01984) 633117

Wireless in the West

25

A nostalgic experience of radio broadcasting history set in the first high power BBC transmitting station in the SW.  Enjoy archive sounds from the fascinating display of over 100 wireless receivers. Discover how radio was broadcast and see some of the equipment actually used by the BBC in the 1930's.

Open Easter - end Oct daily (and some winter w/ends)
Location Tropiquaria,  Washford Cross, Watchet, TA23 0JX. 
MAP  (On A39 between Williton and Minehead-look out for the tall radio masts)
Tel (01984)640688

Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon

5

"The perfect way to get to know North Devon, its coastline, wildlife, history and heritage.
North Devon Potteries.  The Story of North Devon.  Yeoman of Devon.  Undersea World.  Changing exhibitions.  Museum shop."

Open Tues-Fri: 10am-4.30pm  Sat:10-12noon
Location The Square, Barnstaple, North Devon. EX32 8LS
MAP  (next to the main bridge across the river)
Tel (01271) 346747

Tiverton Museum

23

Excellent museum with displays about local lace and textile industry, the Civil War, The Grand Western Canal and the coming of the railway.

Open:  see website
Location  St Andrews Street, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 6PH  
MAP
Tel  (01884)256295

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