The displays illustrate aspects of Budleigh Salterton and the villages of the Lower Otter Valley, geology of the local Heritage Coast, archaeology, ecology and people.
Albums contain the results of research into local history, copies of the East Budleigh Parish Registers and some of the censuses, also the history of the Budleigh Salterton Railway.
The costume collection, of women's, men's and children's wear, is extensive and dates from the early 18th Century.
The lace collection features Honiton and other English and Continental lace.
The collections include dolls, toys and pastimes; needlecrafts; local maps, deeds, guide books and directories; books by local authors and illustrators; pictures by local artists.

The Archaeological collection at Fairlynch comprises predominantly prehistoric flint flakes and tools, mainly surface finds made in the lower Otter valley, of the Neolithic and Bronze ages.  Most artefacts were donated by local collectors, principally the late G. E. L. Carter (1930's), his daughter Mrs P Hull, J.W Lee, and Mrs T Tutt.  The Carter collection includes finds from Aylesbeare and Woodbury Commons.  A display on the Roman site at Otterton Point, partially excavated in 1989, accompanies a few Roman items.  Some pottery from later periods is also held.

Budleigh Salterton c. 1870

Local History Collection

In the local history room you will find numerous albums containing well researched information on all aspects of life in Budleigh Salterton, from the growth of the High Street shops to the improvement of our sewerage system.


Much of this information is enhanced from our large photographic archive. Also available are school log books, census returns, directories and parish registers. You are most welcome to use these resources to do your own research. Alternatively, a member of the local history group would be happy to do undertake this for you at a small charge.

The museum holds microfiche copies of Parish registers (containing baptisms, marriages and burials), and non conformist registers.  Soon we hope to add the Tithe Map Index, although this can be seen in hard copy.

The microfiche records at Fairlynch cover the parishes of Bicton, Budleigh Salterton, East Budleigh, Colaton Raleigh, Littleham (Exmouth), Lympstone, Otterton, Withycombe Raleigh, and Woodbury.

There is also a register for Budleigh Salterton Wesleyan Methodist circuit.

When the museum is closed appointments can be made to use the microfiche and visit the Library  telephone 01395 - 443769 or email mbrett@eclipse.co.uk

 

Radioactive nodules and pebbles. The geological collections display two phenomena of national importance, the Bunter Pebble Beds from which the beach is formed, and the radioactive nodules in the cliffs, discovered and described by Carter and Perutz of the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge circa 1930.

Class 3MT No. 82024 at Budleigh Salterton, 9th August 1960. Photograph (C)Terry Gough. From the collection of local railway memorabilia.

The full history of the Budleigh Salterton railway, from the first ideas through the building of the line, the operation and extension of it, to the final closure, is contained in booklet form, available at the museum shop for a modest fee.

A piece of East Devon lace, illustrating the 2008 "Lace Makers Garden" exhibition  of lace inspired by the local flora and fauna This is one example from the large collection at Fairlynch.