Our Parks

Museum of Barnstaple and North devon

family fun

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

Opening Times

The museum was established in 1989 bringing together collections from the Barnstaple Literary and Scientific Institution (established 1845) and the North Devon Athenaeum (1889) as well as the Barnstaple Borough Museum which opened in 1923.
Notable collections include significant local geology and minerals, the local industries of Brannams pottery and Shapland and Petter furniture manufacture and the regimental collection of the Royal Devon Yeomanry. Our permanent exhibition galleries display a cross section of the 80,000 objects in the collections, from the formation of the North Devon’s rocks to 20th Century life.

Location

Museum of Barnstaple and North devon

Address

The Square, Barnstaple EX32 8LN, UK

What3Words ///host.lock.maple

01271 346747

www.barnstaplemuseum.org.uk

museum@northdevon.gov.uk

Driving from our parks

Lynmouth Retreat: 19.38 miles / 35 mins
Yellow Sands: 73.49 miles / 90 mins

Rating

★★★★★4.6

Based on 518 reviews

Info correct at time of publish: January 19, 2026. Always check with location before visiting.

Reviews

Caitlin

3 months ago

Great place and it’s free. Super friendly staff that gives out very good information about the place. Definitely a place to visit

Andrew Dixon

4 months ago

An excellent local museum with a permanent exhibition of around 80,000 objects in collections and displays about the people and the area of North Devon, including archaeology, natural, and social history. Additional temporary exhibitions also run throughout the year.
Both adults and children will find this museum interesting, so well worth a visit.
It's free and is open Monday to Saturday inclusive 10:00 am - 5:00 pm in summer (Different hours in winter)

Tak Ho Fong

7 months ago

Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon features a wide variety of collections covering all the aspects of the old good days. It’s always lovely to trip down memory lane and be grateful what our predecessors have done for us. Having finished the tour, zipping a cup of coffee and enjoy a slice of Victorian sponge cake in its Victorian style tea room is definitely a plus. Despite the museum is totally free, I would strongly recommend a donation to help its maintenance.

Ian Formula One Oracle

a year ago

It's free to enter. I came across this museum by accident near the estuary. The lady at the entrance was so lovely and allowed us in with our support Yorkie. The museum was fascinating with something for all ages and I loved exploring the variety in each room. Brilliant place lovely staff and just a credit to Barnstaple. Excellent 5*