Ilfracombe Museum

Ilfracombe Museum

Ilfracombe museum is full of the curious and the wonderful! We have a fascinating and eclectic collection arranged over eight rooms; there is something here for everyone. We have African, Asian and South American exhibits plus a fabulous natural history collection.

Closer to home, find out about Ilfracombe’s seafaring past in the Maritime room, and the history of our town in the Ilfracombe gallery. There is a ship-to-shore radio station where you can have a go at tapping out Morse code, and handling objects for younger visitors. Researchers can access our archives, on purchasing an admission ticket. Advance notice of research visits is recommended.

Visit website

  • Palmer Room

    The Palmer Room is dedicated to the museum's founder Mervyn Grove Palmer and contains items from Africa & South America. Including an 12' python, African beadwork and ethnography and South American ceramics. African items were donated by the Victorian collector Mr Charles Pee

  • Maritime Room

    Find paintings and treasures from Ilfracombe's seafaring past, including beautiful model ships. Have a go on our ship to shore radio console, where you can tap out a message in Morse code. Explore the handling drawers.

  • Social History

    Ilfracombe museum has an important and extensive collection of First World War photos and letters of men and women from our town who served their country. Contact us to find out more.

  • Main gallery

    Ilfracombe museum has a fine Victorian museum cabinet as the centrepiece of its main gallery, made in Barnstaple by Shapland and Petter. This gallery is inspired by the Victorian collectors, and has cabinets full of insects, butterflies, dried seaweeds, fossils and wedding cake!

  • Exotic Butterflies

    Ilfracombe museum was founded in 1932 and out first curator, Mervyn Palmer, worked as a private collector in South America as a young man. Many of his specimens form part of our collection, including butterflies which he collected in the field.

Admission & prices

Opening times 1st November 2022 - 31st March 2023
Monday - Saturday 10am- 4pm
Sunday 11am-3pm
You can pre-book tickets here https://www.ilfracombemuseum.co.uk


Tickets cost £5.00 for adults £4.00 for concessions and children 16 and under are free.
Annual membership tickets (Supporters) start at £12.50
visit here to purchase https://www.ilfracombemuseum.co.uk/visitor-information/supporters/


Ilfracombe Museum Trust CIO is an independent charity (Reg No: 1169969), which is not funded by the Local Authority. We rely on the generosity of our visitors and supporters through admission fees, shop sales and donations.

Your ticket price includes a voluntary donation of 10% to Ilfracombe Museum. If you are a taxpayer, we can claim an extra 25% on top of your admission charge from the Taxman, when you complete a Gift Aid Form.

Find us

Museum news

View all news articles

  •  

    A New Museum

    The Trustees at Ilfracombe Museum have plans to relocate due to the current building not being fit for purpose, due to constant repairs and damp issues......

    Read article

  • Job vacancy Front of House Coordinator

    Job vacancy Front of House Coordinator

    We are seeking a Front of house coordinator to work for our small independent accredited museum alongside the museum manager......

    Read article

Information

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

Disabled access with exhibits on one level. Parking outside the museum in pay and display car park Toilet ( not disable accessible) Cafe and disabled toilet next door at Landmark Theatre

Disabled access:
We are on one level throughout, and all but one small gallery is wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible. We have free audio guides for those who have difficulty reading text. There is pay and display parking right outside the museum.

Gift Shop, Brass Rubbing ( small charge ). Childrens' school holiday events.

Researchers:
a research ticket gives you access to archives, photographs, town newspapers, parish records. Enquiries are welcome via email or in person, charges apply.

Group visits can be arranged. Booked school parties are free of charge, please contact us for more information.

Runnymede Gardens
Wilder Road
Ilfracombe
EX34 8AF

T: 01271 863541
E: info.ilfracombemuseum@gmail.com

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Ilfracombe Museum

Runnymede Gardens
Wilder Road
Ilfracombe, DEVON EX34 8AF