Museum On Tour: Plymouth From Destruction to Construction
The Box, Plymouth

When: 09 December 2017 to 22 December 2018
Where: House of Fraser, Fifth Floor, 40-46 Royal Parade, Plymouth PL1 1DY
Time: 9am - 5pm
Cost: Admission free
Suitable for: Any age

9am to 5pm Monday and Wednesday to Saturday
9.30am to 5pm Tuesday
10am to 4pm Sunday

Plymouth suffered greatly during World War II. The docks and naval base made it a major target resulting in the almost total destruction of the city centre and the displacement of tens of thousands of Plymothians.

Amongst this charred and ruined city, a radical new plan was developed to enable its complete redesign and reconstruction. MPs, Councillors and planners sought out the finest architects, designers and artists to create a new city – a modern city – worthy of replacing what had been lost.

The Plymouth we see today epitomises the ambition and vision of this post-war planning.

This exhibition includes fascinating objects, images and footage from the collections of Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office and the South West Film and Television Archive that explore the themes of destruction and reconstruction.

Visitors of all ages can experience the inside of an Anderson Shelter, dress up in a range of replica clothing and learn more about the construction of the House of Fraser itself.

Exhibitions & Projects

  • Let's Clay!

    Let's Clay!

    The Burton at Bideford

    14 October 2026 to 07 November 2026

    View details

  • 100 Years of Marilyn

    100 Years of Marilyn

    Bill Douglas Centre

    29 May 2026 to 20 November 2026

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  • Bampton Players   50 Years

    Bampton Players 50 Years

    Bampton Heritage and Visitor Centre

    10 September 2026 to 28 November 2026

    View details

  • Beyond the Samurai: An Introduction to Japanese Cinema

    Beyond the Samurai: An Introduction to Japanese Cinema

    23 July 2026 to 29 November 2026

    View details

  • The Friends of The Burton Annual Open

    The Friends of The Burton Annual Open

    The Burton at Bideford

    07 November 2026 to 22 December 2026

    View details

  • For A Time: Sanctuary Seekers in North Devon

    For A Time: Sanctuary Seekers in North Devon

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    24 October 2026 to 02 January 2027

    View details

  • David Nash

    David Nash

    The Burton at Bideford

    14 November 2026 to 17 January 2027

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  • Exeter’s Fine Art gallery: Highlights from the Collection

    Exeter’s Fine Art gallery: Highlights from the Collection

    Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

    21 October 2026 to 17 January 2027

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  • The Peopling of North Devon

    The Peopling of North Devon

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    17 October 2026 to 30 January 2027

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  • What do you collect The Deaf Academy: Deaf technology through the ages

    What do you collect The Deaf Academy: Deaf technology through the ages

    Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

    21 July 2026 to 07 February 2027

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  • Living Labyrinths: Art and Fungi

    Living Labyrinths: Art and Fungi

    Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

    03 October 2026 to 21 February 2027

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  • Insects Uncovered: Biodiversity in Newton Abbot Exhibition

    Insects Uncovered: Biodiversity in Newton Abbot Exhibition

    Newton Abbot Museum

    17 March 2026 to 01 March 2027

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  • A Sense of Colour

    A Sense of Colour

    Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

    31 March 2026 to 21 March 2027

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  • Bayeux Around Britain

    Bayeux Around Britain

    Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

    15 September 2026 to 11 July 2027

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  • What Do You Collect Tinplate Toys

    What Do You Collect Tinplate Toys

    Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

    09 February 2027 to 03 October 2027

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  • Charmaine Watkiss: From the ones who came before…

    Charmaine Watkiss: From the ones who came before…

    Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

    10 February 2026 to 10 October 2027

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  • Sherlock Holmes at Dartmoor Prison Museum

    Sherlock Holmes at Dartmoor Prison Museum

    09 June 2026 to 30 April 2028

    View details