Torquay Museum

About

The Museum at the heart of Torbay English Riviera Global Geopark, telling the fascinating story of Torbay's natural and cultural heritage.

Story

Founded in 1844 Torquay Museum is Devon’s oldest established Museum.

We have an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions, children's activities and events and an education service for schools.

We are at the heart of the Torbay English Riviera Global Geopark. Our permanent exhibitions tell the fascinating story of Torbay's natural and cultural heritage.

The Time Ark tells the story of our planet and the moments when earth-shattering changes took place, such as the great mountain building of the Carboniferous period and the huge swings in climate that took place in the Pleistocene, from tropical to arctic conditions and back.

See amazing artefacts and fossils from Torquay's famous Kent's Cavern prehistoric caves, where our ancestors made their home as long as half a million years ago - Neanderthal tools, woolly mammoth teeth, cave bear skulls and the jawbone of what is thought to be the oldest human in north west Europe.

Follow the incredible journeys made by Torquay's famous explorers, from the frozen wastes of the Antarctic to the depths of the Brazilian rain forest and come face-to-face with wonderful artifacts from ancient Egypt, including Devon's only Mummy.

Why not visit our lovely café serving home cooked local produce.

Our shop stocks an excellent range of quality gifts, cards and books, including an extensive stock of secondhand and new books by Agatha Christie.