Topsham in World War One

Topsham Museum is housed in an historic building on the Strand, facing the River Exe and a short walk from the Town Quay. We open for the season at the end of March this year and close at the end of October.

Resources available

Part of the Museum is within a late 17th century merchant's house, furnished to show how the lives of the people living there changed over the centuries. Some rooms are in the style of the 17th century, whilst others show a later period, including a kitchen, equipped as it would have been between the 1920s and 1940s.

The Sail Loft shows the history of the town and port of Topsham, from prehistoric times, through the Roman period and into the heyday of Topsham's trading and commercial activity.

The River Gallery and Boat Shed house our outstanding collection of craft connected to the River Exe, including the iconic Cygnet Boat, and trace the story of the ship-building industry in Topsham.

Our strengths

• Local history of Topsham and family histories.
• The town's maritime history, including the shipbuilding industry.
• Our proximity to the River Exe and to the RSPB Bird Reserves means we are a centre for natural history and settlement studies.
• We welcome visits from schools and young people's groups, covering such topics as the Victorians, children's lives, life in wartime, inventions, rivers, birds and wildlife and so on. We have handling collections and replica costumes for children to use.
• We have an enclosed and secure outside space, including a riverside garden.
• We hold family-based holiday events, from wildlife days, to story-telling sessions and art and craft workshops and a range of free activities for children visiting the Museum with their families.
• Regular exhibitions and lunch-time lectures aimed at adults, all free of charge.

Facilities available

A large tearoom which can be used as an educational workspace, craft workshop and lecture area.

Beautiful gardens.

A well-equipped Local History Room for individual study and access to online family history programs.

Other places to visit in the area

Bowling Green Marsh - RSPB Reserve/hides

"Dutch houses" in the Strand and the Goat Walk by the river

Topsham is on the Route 2 National Cycle Route

Quay Antiques Centre

Topsham Outdoor Swimming Pool

Learning Downloads

• Food Supplies in WW1
• Children helping the War Effort
• Early 20th Century Toys
• Animals who won medals in WW1
• World War One Medals - Design your own!!

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