The collection reflects the early beginnings of Braunton with particular reference to the Braunton Great Field, one of only two remaining working examples of Saxon strip farming in England.

Braunton's Maritime heritage is also on display, based on the thriving port of Vellator, which is just 2 minutes drive or 10 minutes walk from the village centre. This section features scale models of many of the Braunton vessels hand made by local mariner Sam Mitchell who used to be one of Braunton's 'bar men' who sailed out over the treacherous Barnstaple Bar.

Small display of artifacts and photographs, fact sheets are available for sale please ask at desk.
Recently the Parish Council have sited a series of information and display boards around the village which tell the story of the railway, before Mr Beeching wielded his axe in the 1970's.

Spanning the two world conflicts & Braunton's important role in training the Americans for the D-Day Landings . The training that took place on the "Burrows" was instrumental in the winning of the Second World war. A recent project (2009/10) funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund involved the local community as well as Braunton School and Community College in an effort to make the history known to all. As a part of the project there will be an exhibition in the museum for the 2010 summer season as well as a DVD called "Spirits of the sand" for sale @ £6.99, based on the book of the same name written by historian Mr Richard T Bass, which includes some original film footage of the actual troops training. The book is also available for sale @ £10.00.

Medals etc from both world wars are on display. 

Associated books are available in the museum shop. 

Henry Williamson:  This display is based in a prominent part of the museum – in the vestibule. Photographs and information on the local writer of Tarka the Otter fame.

 

• Braunton Basket Works: Several baskets made at this factory are on display with photographic back-up.
• Braunton Pottery: Pots made at this pottery are on show with photographic back-up.
• Braunton Sail Makers: A large sail is displayed on one wall, these sails were made for the ships which sailed out of Braunton.
• Various Businesses: Displays are on show depicting many of the local businesses, some long gone but some still trading.

The Fiddle: Used manually for broadcast seed sowing. A bow was used in conjunction with the fiddle, it was carried underarm with a harness around the opposite shoulder, the bow was inserted through the base of the fiddle and used in a side to side movement which scattered the seed from the rotating disc. The sack held about half a bushel of seed, it was important to hold the fiddle level in order to obtain an even distribution of seed.

The seaman's palm (a protective leather hand gusset) which was worn to prevent callouses. Beeswax was used on the twine to help make it waterproof and easier to sew the canvas.
The smoothing plane used on the seams to flatten them.
A sail was made from 24 inch strips of canvas known as cloths, a skilled craftsman could hand stitch 60-80 yards a day.
The model vessel is the Garlandstone, which can be seen moored at Morwellham Quay. Bere Alston. near Tavistock.

Brauntonians have always worked the sea as well as the land, trading with other villages and ports around the English, Welsh and Irish coastlines. Most ships were wooden, Ketches and Square Top Sailed Schooners from 30 -150 tons, it wasn't unusual to view 100 vessels going over the Bar, a natural sandbank at the mouth of the estuary, on the high tide, at the turn of the century. The main cargo was gravel, bricks, grain, flour, coal, limestone and scrap iron, some of the larger ships travelled further afield to Australia, Africa and America.
Most of the vessel's sails were made by the Braunton sailmaking family of Braund, in their sail loft situated in South Street, the founder of the business was William Braund.