Cultural Devon / Cultural Attractions in Devon / Devon's Museum and Heritage Attractions

Devon's Museum and Heritage Attractions

Dodgems and barometers, bakeries and playthings - Devon's rich heritage offers a splendid mix of the curious and the traditional. Whether exploring how Devon folk used to live, or fascinated by the history of the cinema, with over a hundred museums and heritage attractions in Devon, you'll find plenty to occupy even the most insatiable of inquiring minds.

For superb collections on local life, visit Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Barnstaple's Heritage Centre or Allhallows, Honiton's record of its lace-making past. The Museum of Dartmoor Life brings into vivid focus the hardships and the communal spirit that have made this a very special area. Plymouth Dome brings local history to life with a hi-tech touch, whereas Cockington keeps its history alive through a wonderful mix of activities.

For a fascinating insight into an 18th century woollen mill, visit Coldharbour Mill museum, with its working demonstrations of traditional textile machinery. The Quay House visitor centre in Exeter picks up the woollen cloth theme in a former warehouse. Morewellham Quay celebrates the years when copper ore was mined in Devon and, for a real trip into the past, travel on one of Devon's great steam railways.

Is your imagination fired by the unusual? Visit Dingles' sparkling Fairground Heritage Attraction, Dartmoor Prison museum or Exeter's underground passages, built in the 14th century to house the pipes bringing fresh water to the city.

Breaking News

In fact, Exeter's Underground Passages have been Highly Commended in a prestigious national award.

The recently re-opened Passages were awarded second place for 'Project on a Limited Budget' in the Museum and Heritage Awards for Excellence, which were held The Church House in Westminster on 7 May 2008.

Built in the 14th century to bring a supply of fresh drinking water to the city, the Underground Passages were officially reopened to the public last September by television celebrity Tony Robinson, after two years of closure due to the Princesshay development. There is a new entrance and improved interpretation, with hands-on activities and displays for visitors to experience before exploring the fascinating vaulted Passages themselves.

How to Search
To search for heritage attractions and museums in Devon, please use the search box on the right, making sure you choose one of the heritage style options under "Type".

Alternatively, you could visit the Devon Museums website at www.devonmuseums.net.