Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon, Barnstaple, Devon
When you’re on holiday it’s good to learn a bit about the area you’re staying in so go and have a good look around the Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon if you visit Barnstaple. They have some impressive displays and collections that give you an excellent insight into the natural and social impressive displays and collections of natural and human history of this part of the country, from Geology and Minerals, Art and Archaeology to North Devon Pottery and Social History. The Natural History display has over 10,000 objects largely made up of Victorian and historical collections, including pressed ferns and seaweeds and the famous Barnstaple Elephant discovered beneath one of the towns streets in 1844.
The museum is also home to the military collections of the Royal Devon Yeomanry and some of the finest Arts and Crafts furniture produced by Shapland and Petter who were one of Barnstaple’s largest employers in the 20th century. There are quizzes and trails for families to do and when you’ve all finished looking around and taking in new things you can go and chat about it over tea and cake in the tearooms.
Open: Tues-Sat 10.00 am-4.00 pm
T: 01271 346747 All information correct at the time of writing