North Devon Maritime Museum

North Devon Maritime Museum

The North Devon Maritime Museum offers a fascinating insight into the rich shipbuilding and seafaring history of the area. It is housed in a fine, Georgian Grade II listed building which has been the home of several ship owners and master mariners in the past 200 years and is situated in the picturesque village and sea port of Appledore.

Our collections and displays include historical exhibits, models, dioramas, photographs and paintings and cover most aspects of our region's maritime trades which have worldwide connections. There is an extensive library and archive which is accessible to researchers by appointment. The museum and gift shop are manned by volunteers, who will be pleased to share their knowledge.

Visit website

  • Maritime History of North Devon

    This covers early history from Hubba the Dane's Viking raid in 878, medieval trade and shipping, Tudor exploration to find the North East Passage and local Elizabethan 'merchant adventurers' to 18th century smuggling and 19th century emigration to North America and Australia.

  • Shipbuilding

    This ranges from locally built wooden sailing ships to the 19th century steel steam ships and the current vessels still being built in Appledore shipyard. The displays include shipbuilding techniques, tools, half models and dioramas of workshops and shipyard, as well as information and models of traditional North Devon river barges which navigated the Taw and Torridge estuary.

  • Wreck and Rescue

    A brief history of the local Royal National Lifeboat Institution stations, RAF Chivenor Air-Sea Rescue service and some of the many local wrecks.

  • World War II

    Discover the top secret experiments that took place in the estuary and along the North Devon coastline prior to the D Day landings in Northern France - including the Great Panjandrum, Swiss Roll, P.L.U.T.O., amphibious tanks and the first British 'Frogmen'.

  • Education

    The old Coach House has been converted to house a reconstruction of a typical schoolroom of the type found in our local area from Victorian times (1900) to the end of the Second World War in 1945. School groups are welcome, by appointment, to have an experience of a lesson taught by a costumed, qualified teacher acting as schoolmistress. The children are encouraged to act as children of the period for the duration of the visit.

Admission & prices

Opening Times during 2016

Easter to end of Autumn Half Term 2016

Open daily from 10.30 to 5pm

Last admission at 4pm

Adults £3.00, Senior Citizens £2.00, Children £1.00

Open out of season, by appointment, for school and group visits and researchers.

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Information

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

Become a Friend of North Devon Museum Trust - visit the museum free and receive the Trust's annual 'Heritage' publication, containing articles on subjects relating to North Devon.
Individual annual membership £10
Family annual membership (parents and children under 16yrs) £12
Please contact us for a membership form.

North Devon Maritime Museum
Odun House
Odun Road
Appledore
EX39 1PT

T: 01237 422064
E: info@northdevonmaritimemuseum.co.uk

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North Devon Maritime Museum

North Devon Maritime Museum
Odun House
Odun Road
Appledore, DEVON EX39 1PT