School visit to the museum learning about the conservation of the Sandford Orleigh Renaissance Screen.

School visit to the museum learning about the conservation of the Sandford Orleigh Renaissance Screen.

Learning Opportunities

Museum details

Museums provide learning opportunities for all ages

 Adjacent to the Town Hall and near the War Memorial

Where we are:

2a, St Paul's Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2HP

01626-201121

Contact: Curator, Felicity Cole

Opening times:

Mid-March-End of October

Mon-Thurs. 10:00-4:00

Friday:10:00-12:00

Sat: After Easter:2:00-4:00

We close at the end of October, school visits are possible if booked in advance.

The museum manages St Leonard's Clock Tower, visits can be arranged, prior booking is essential.

Admission is free.

We can accomodate up to 30 children at a one time.  Do ring the Curator to discuss your requirements prior to your visit.

Resources available

We have artefacts, photos and archives to inspire children's learning

We can provide:

  • Guided tour within the museum for group bookings
  • Unassisted school visits
  • Town Trail leaflets and  pre-booked tours
  •  Photographic archive
  • GWR oral archives
  • Lectures on local subjects-pre-booking required
  • Visits to schools and groups bringing objects which need to be pre-booked.
  • We can provide 'Then & Now' views of the town, and Victorian Newton Abbot images on  CD Rom.

MORE TO EXPLORE!- A TOWN TRAIL FOR EVERYONE!

In 2011 the museum launched its Town Trail leaflet and walk. The trail will take about an hour and a half to complete depending on how fast you walk. 

If you manage to collect all the brass rubbings on the numbered town trail plaques you will be able to collect a free prize from the museum!

(When the museum is closed it is possible to pick up your prize from the Tourist Information Centre in the town)

  

Our strengths

Links to the National Curriculum

Our museum collections can support cross curricular learning and skills development at all key stages.  Our Particular strenghts are:

History

The growth and development of Newton Abbot which includes

Victorian Newton Abbot

The Railways and the influence of I.K.Brunel on the town

The  impact of The Great Western Railway on the town

English - Story telling and writing on all subjects.

Geography -The Development of the town from early beginnings- Butterfly Collection

Science & Design & Technology - Replica of John Lethbridge's diving machine and the working signal box, locomotives, the atmospheric railway model.

Art & Design-Victorian costume, Aller Vale local art pottery of the Arts & Crafts movement, painting collection.

Each year the museum creates a new exhibition on the history of the town or the Great Western Railway.

2012  The Sporting Life of Newton Abbot

2011  Notable Newtonians

2010 The Sights & Sounds of Newton Abbot

2009 John Lethbridge Newton's 18th Century Inventor and Diver

Each exhibition can be used to stimulate creative writing/story telling-
Stimulate discussions on

Materials used in the past

Exploration and invention

History and development of the town

Shipwrecks,seafaring & pirates!

Local people that have made a difference to their local area, UK or Internationally!

The museum also can offer 'History Trails' within the centre of town, with short walks and talks to paint a picture of life in Newton Abbot, centred around the Clock Tower, Courtenay Street, Union Street and the Library.  Booking needs to be arranged well in advance and is essential. 

Ring the Museum Curator Felicity Cole on 01626 201121 to discuss your needs.

Newton Abbot has so much hidden history-let us reveal it to you!

Enthusiastic friendly staff!

Facilities available

 WC for the disabled

 Small book shop

The Town Hall Council Chamber within the museum,for school visit use (when available, booking essential)

Ex-railwaymen sharing their steam storyies of 'fry-ups' and railway life.

Preliminary discussions with the curator to custom build your visit.

Other places to visit in the area

 Bradley Manor-National Trust- Baker's Park, Newton Abbot-01803 661907

Tuckers Maltings- Teign Road, Newton, last working maltings in UK

(01626) 334002

Compton Castle-National Trust- Connections with Newfoundland and Elizabethan exploration.  Humphrey Gilbert 'discovered' Newfoundland and was half brother to Sir Walter Raleigh-01803 661906

Haccombe Church-Open on Wednesday pm during the summer period early medieval tiles and crusader burials- 01626 330311

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Newton Abbot Town and GWR Museum

The museum focusses on the social and railway history of the town. We close at the end of October each year to prepare for a new exhibition,and will re-open in 2012 on 7th Marc......

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