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Reviews, get directions and contact details for Museum Of Barnstaple & North Devon

Museum Of Barnstaple & North Devon

About

The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is the perfect way to find out more about North Devon. Barnstaple Tourist Information is situated in the museum reception.

Story

The history of the museum building.

The most prominent building on the Square was built for William Thorne, in 1872. ( Thorne was a quarry owner and operator of the horse-drawn railway to Fremington Quay.) His new house was constructed of brick with decorative stone details.
It is said that Thorne never actually lived in the house.

The house was a sizeable building, with a grand staircase and 15 servants' bells in the back corridor.
Connecting wires run all over the building.

The house was bought by William Rock (Barnstaple benefactor) in 1887, to house the North Devon Athenaeum, a free library and Museum.
It was opened to the public the following year.

The Athenaeum inherited the collections of the Barnstaple Literary and Scientific Institution - founded by William Rock in 1845 and continued to accumulate a wide variety of objects, papers and books.

From 1956, the Athenaeum shared the building with the local branch of the County Library Service. Local people remember coming to the Athenaeum to do their homework.

In 1988, North Devon District Council bought the building.
The Athenaeum, its collection of documents and the County Library moved to purpose-built premises in Tuly Street.

Many of the Athenaeum's objects remain in the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon.
These include the rocks and minerals in the first gallery, local paintings and part of the pottery collection.

Address: The Square, Barnstaple EX32 8LN, UK
Phone: 01271 346747
ku.vog.novedhtron@muesum
State: Devon
City: Barnstaple
Zip Code: EX32 8LN

opening times

Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: Closed


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Reviews
Interesting if a tad small. But good use of the space available.
7 years ago (24-01-2018)
Awesome. Shame it isn't three or four tomes the size for more displays. Great facility, great welcome lovely displays. Worth going. We like to revisit with the children as they can get interactive there.
8 years ago (27-09-2017)
Really neat museum, mostly local history of course but some good exhibits like the local pottery. Free entrance also.
8 years ago (18-11-2017)
This is a very good place to go if you want to know more about the shore birds that live on the river in Barnstaple and Bideford.
8 years ago (27-08-2017)
Shall but still manages to pack in a lot. Great exhibits often with fun activities for kids. Also very helpful tourist centre.
8 years ago (15-03-2017)
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