1586 Kingsbridge Platt on view for one day - Kingsbridge Cookworthy Museum

By: Philip Cole
Added: 19 June 2026

Thanks to SW Heritage Trust, we are delighted to show the 1586 map of Kingsbridge (the "Kingsbridge Platt") for one day on Saturday 4 July (10.30-3.30) when Museum entry will be FREE to all visitors. The map was sent to London in 1796 to be engraved for an edition of The Gentleman's Magazine and then disappeared for 230 years!  

It reappeared at auction in 2025 and was purchased by SW Heritage Trust with a generous donation from the Friends of the Nations' Libraries with further funding support from the Friends of Devon Archives. 

The hand-drawn and painted map has remained in outstanding condition, retaining much of its vivid original colour. It contains detailed depictions of key features of Tudor Kingsbridge, including the parish church, a pillory and the 'Cheape House' - a central building in the town's main street where the manor court was held until its demolition in 1796.

We are most grateful to SW Heritage Trust for loaning the Platt to us so that Kingsbridge residents will be able to see it for themselves.