The North Devon Museum Trust was set up in 1973 to work for better museum provision locally.  It relates equally to the districts administered by Torridge and North Devon District Councils.  It runs this Maritime Museum and also has in store a significant agricultural collection, which will eventually form part of a heritage centre depicting all aspects of life in the region.

The Trust's collections reflect the history and lives of the people of this area of North Devon. Bounded roughly by Exmoor to the east, Dartmoor to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the island of Lundy and the Bristol Channel to the north. The collections cover four main themes - Maritime history, Agriculture and the Countryside, Social history and Industries including shipbuilding.


The Trust depends mainly on donations and grants, and is grateful for the support of the councils and organisations listed on the board in the entrance hall.  As it aims to promote education in the widest sense, entrance fees are kept as low as possible, particularly for children