Fairlynch Museum

Fairlynch Museum

Fairlynch Museum and Arts Centre is one of the very few thatched museums in the UK. The Grade II Listed building dating from 1811 is a typical example of a 'marine cottage orné'.

The museum opened in 1967. It aims to exhibit artefacts and information about the history and development of Budleigh Salterton and the Lower Otter Valley for the purpose of education and general interest. The Museum is noted for its collection of period costumes, its many geological specimens and its excellent local history resources. Find us at facebook.com/Fairlynch to see our history in full. Visit our website for details of our latest exhibitions and current news.

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  • The Garden

    The Museum garden is one of the showpieces of Budleigh Salterton, with its colourful border displays. Many of the plants were chosen to be contemporary with the period of the house.

  • Art

    Fairlynch has around 400 sketches, drawings, original paintings and prints of local significance or by local artists. Many were collected by the Museum’s co-founder, the late Priscilla Hull, who ran an art gallery from Abele Tree House, her home on Budleigh’s Fore Street. Provided that funds are available, we hope to restore and frame the most noteworthy items.

  • 100 years of ladies' costumes

    Only a small proportion of the Fairlynch costume collection can be seen on display at any one time, but the regular exhibitions arranged by our volunteer helpers allow for a rotation of interesting items.

  • Fragment of decorated Samian ware bowl

    This 2nd century bowl from the Archaeology collection was found at the site of a Roman villa outside Budleigh. When originally in use it was broken and mended with butterfly rivets, the marks of which can be seen.

  • Marine Parade, Budleigh Salterton c.1870

    This print from the Museum's collection is one of many images from the past depicting life in Budleigh Salterton. The Local History Room contains many well-researched albums giving an insight into varied aspects of the town.

Admission & prices

Opening Times Tuesday to Sunday: 14.00 -16.30 (closed Mondays ex Bank Holidays)

The Museum is open from Easter until the end of October.

ADMISSION FREE
Donations gratefully received.

Groups welcome, special rates only if booked in advance.

The Carter Reference Library (in the museum) is open by appointment.

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Museum news

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Information

  • Toilets On-Site
  • Wheelchair access
  • Childrens activities
  • Gift Shop

Public car parks nearby, limited parking at museum for disabled visitors by prior arrangement. Level access from Fore Street Hill. Wheelchair access to ground floor only.

Fairlynch is an educational charity run by volunteers and mainly dependent on voluntary contributions and the fund-raising efforts of The Friends of Fairlynch. To join the Friends, please click on Our Downloads section on this site.

Fairlynch Museum's press officer Michael Downes runs a blog at http://budleighbrewsterunited.blogspot.com/ which he describes as "a sort of museum in cyberspace full of odds and ends about life in Budleigh Salterton."

It celebrates among other things the connection between our corner of East Devon - birthplace of both Sir Walter Raleigh and Roger Conant, founder of Salem, Massachusetts - and the United States of America.

It was inspired by the friendship link established in 2001 with the Cape Cod community of Brewster.

Fairlynch Museum
27 Fore Street
Budleigh Salterton
EX9 6NP

T: 01395 442666
E: info@fairlynchmuseum.uk

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Fairlynch Museum

Fairlynch Museum
27 Fore Street
Budleigh Salterton, DEVON EX9 6NP