The collection illustrates the evolving history of Sidmouth from its humble beginnings as a fishing village, through its Regency Period blossoming into the timeless charm that is Sidmouth today.

Sidmouth is fortunate in having its own historian and diarist. Peter Orlando Hutchinson, son of a doctor, came here in 1825. He was then 15 and he lived here until his death in 1897. His legacy was a five-volume manuscript History of Sidmouth beautifully illustrated, a five-volume diary for the years 1848 - 1894, and six volumes of delightful sketches covering an even longer period. More recently Sir Norman Lockyer, discoverer of the gas Helium, founded his Observatory on Salcombe Hill. Authors R F Delderfield & Stephen Reynolds, cartoonist Lawson Wood, and scientist Sir Alexander Fleming amongst others also lived here and their work is depicted in various displays.

Woolbrook Cottage, now the Royal Glen Hotel was home to the infant Princess Victoria before the untimely death of her father there in January 1820. It is just one example of the Regency architecture whose Cottage Orné and Strawberry Gothic styles are still to be seen in profusion in the town. Join one of our Guided Strolls then come in to see the collection of coloured prints and engravings which show the buildings in their original settings.

This beautiful lace collar was worn by Queen Victoria and is an example of our extensive collection of hand-made lace, widely known as Honiton lace after the nearby town from which the big merchants used to collect their stock.

This fine example of an Iron Age mirror illustrates perfectly the quality of the artefacts exhibited in the museum’s Land and Man room.