Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon
The Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon offers a vivid journey through the region’s history, culture, and natural environment. Set in a handsome Victorian building near the River Taw, it blends traditional displays with modern interpretation, making it one of Devon’s most engaging local museums. One of its most intriguing features is the Tarka Gallery, inspired by Henry Williamson’s famous novel. Here you can explore the landscapes and wildlife that shaped the story, including detailed dioramas of otters and river habitats. The North Devon Art Gallery showcases works by local artists, revealing how the area’s dramatic coastlines and rural life have influenced generations of painters. Inside, visitors can see the Barnstaple Elephant, a remarkable set of prehistoric bones discovered in the 19th century, and the Shapland & Petter furniture collection, highlighting the town’s legacy in fine craftsmanship. The social history exhibits trace Barnstaple’s evolution from a medieval market town to a modern community, with objects ranging from lace-making tools to wartime memorabilia.
Barnstaple United Kingdom
The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is located in the heart of Barnstaple, set inside a red-brick Victorian building right at the end of the town's historic Long Bridge. Its official address is The Square, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 8LN. The museum highlights the region’s natural history, archaeology, and social heritage, featuring displays on local pottery, fine art, and historic furniture. A short walk away, you will find the historic Barnstaple Pannier Market, a covered nineteenth-century market running vibrant stalls under a timber roof alongside the charming Victorian shopfronts of Butchers Row. Outdoor lovers can easily hop onto the famous Tarka Trail, a scenic walking and cycling path that runs right through town along the estuary. A drive out into the surrounding countryside brings you to several other historic properties. About eight miles northeast sits Arlington Court, a Regency manor house run by the National Trust that houses an impressive carriage collection set within vast estate grounds. Heading roughly twelve miles north toward the coast near Ilfracombe takes you to Watermouth Castle, a Victorian fortress operating as a family theme park surrounded by picturesque landscaped gardens.