Topsham Museum

Topsham Museum

We opened for the 2022 season on Wednesday 30th March. Please be assured we are still following COVID safe procedures, with a one-way system and all our volunteers and visitors will be encouraged to wear masks (unless exempt).

Social distancing will also be in place inside the Museum and in the Tea Room, with enhanced cleaning and extra volunteers on duty. We will be open every Wednesday-Sunday between 2pm-5pm. until October. We look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to our beautiful Museum, tearooms and garden.

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  • The Sail Loft

    Displays the history of Topsham from Prehistoric times: Shipbuilding, fishing and maritime trade, including ship models, shipwrights' tools, maps, photographs, paintings, documents etc. Other exhibits include a model of Topsham in 1900 and the "Terror", built here.

  • The River Gallery

    The Gallery holds a collection of historic Exe river boats. Four boats were saved by the Museum following the closure of the Exeter Maritime Museum: the famous Cygnet (pictured), the Market Boat, "Ruby" (a salmon boat) and a Skiff.

  • The House

    The merchants house dates from the late 17th century and two rooms on the first floor are furnished in that period. The newly refurbished bedroom has authentic wallpaper produced from wooden tillet blocks. The kitchen of Miss Holman, the founder of the Museum, has been preserved.

  • The Underloft

    The Underloft houses the popular Museum Tearoom, temporary exhibitions and the Museum Shop, which sells unusual and interesting gifts,cards, books on local subjects and items exclusive to Topsham. Teas available either here or in the beautiful garden on fine days.

  • Front Room

    The newly furnished "front room" is dedicated to Dorothy Holman, the Museum’s founder. Furniture from her drawing room reflects the lifestyle of an Edwardian family and includes a portrait of Sophie Holman (her Father was a Mayor of Exeter) as well as other Holman memorabilia.

Admission & prices

We are currently open each week from Wednesday-Sunday between 2pm-5pm. until the Museum closes for the season in October.

Last admission 4.30pm.

ADMISSION IS FREE OF CHARGE

The Museum is run entirely by nearly 200 dedicated local volunteers and so we rely on your kind donations to ensure that the Museum and its collections remain in Topsham for generations to come.

Find us

From Topsham Station, walk down Holman Way to 'Route 2' cafe by mini roundabout, take 2nd exit - Strand. 300 yards along on left you will find the Museum. Buses: 57 & T - walk down Fore Street to 'Route 2' cafe. Parking: Holman Way or the Quay.

Museum news

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  • September Lunchtime Lecture

    September Lunchtime Lecture

    Tuesday 27th September 'HMS Terror-from Topsham to the Poles' by John Davidson Following a break during August we will be continuing our programme of lectures at Matthews Hall in September......

    Read article

  • Screenprints 1983 to 2022

    Screenprints 1983 to 2022

    Screenprints 1983 to 2022: An Exhibition by Phil Keen at Topsham Museum You may have read Phil Keen’s books ‘The Lockdown Fox’ and ‘When the Devil Came to Topsham’ or purchased some of his ......

    Read article

Information

  • Toilets On-Site
  • Wheelchair access
  • Cafe on-site
  • Childrens activities
  • Gift Shop

Our beautiful riverside garden is open all year. During the season, home-made teas are served in the cafe or gardens. Do visit our gift shop. Group visits of up to 15 can be arranged for guided tours between April and October by prior arrangement.

There are always a number of special exhibitions spread through the year (see Events).

A lift from the River Gallery provides disabled access to the updated Sail Loft (the history of Topsham Museum). We have wheelchair access in the Underloft/Tearoom and River Gallery but the merchant's house rooms on the first floor are only accessible by stairs.
Local, Family History and WW1 collections are on open-shelf access for visitors and researchers on the ground floor.

Cream Teas and home-made cakes are served from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. The shop sells a wide range of interesting memorabilia, local history publications and high quality gifts.

Group visits may be made outside opening times by prior arrangement.

25, Strand
Topsham
EX3 0AX

T: 01392 873244
E: info@topshammuseum.org.uk

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Topsham Museum

25, Strand
Topsham, DEVON EX3 0AX