The fixed hands-on exhibition takes visitors through the major periods of Barnstaple's rich past. A combination of touch-screen computer interactives, information panels and atmospheric mock-ups help bring history to life for visitors of all ages. The exhibition covers the main periods of the town's history and includes mediaeval and civil war displays. An audio-visual presentation, computerised heritage trail map and extensive picture database are particularly special features of the Heritage Centre. A wealth of information is revealed, all faithfully researched by local historians.

The dark and gloomy interior of a merchant ship cargo hold. Barrels of salted cod, bales of wool, jars of spice and a treasure chest are all found here - along with a small furry stow-away hiding at the back! Visitors can hear the conversations of merchants up on deck, overhead, discussing the latest expeditions & gossip.

The Centre now has some costumed figures to help bring the town's past to life. This Saxon Merchant was carefully researched and created by local Sculptor, Peter Newell, with the costume hand-made and designed to show what ordinary people would have been wearing in the town's early days.

Barnstaple' involvement in the Civil War is covered in some detail in our exhibition, and the addition last year of this soldier has proved to be a popular new exhibit. Children can try on clothes from this period in the Civil War section, kindly donated to us by a member of the Sealed Knot re-enactment society.

This lively tableau shows merchants sealing a bargain over a replica of the famous Tome Stone, (the original can be seen outside our building). This large flat stone was used rather like the "nail" in Bristol ~ a handshake across it was as good as a signature in the hey day of Barnstaple's shipping industry.

Set on the newly re-designed Riverfront "Strand Promenade", the Heritage Centre stands majestically, overlooking the Barnstaple Millennium Mosaic, which charts the town's major historic events and landmarks. A new full-colour book with pictures of each of the mosaics 53 panels, and explanatory text, is now on sale exclusively from the acclaimed Heritage Centre Shop... Don't miss you chance to buy a copy!