Totnes Museum and Archives
About This Museum
Tucked away on the bustling Fore Street in the heart of Totnes, you'll find a true gem that feels like stepping through a portal. The Totnes Museum and Archives isn't just a building; it's a beautifully restored 16th-century merchant's house that seems to breathe history from its very timbers. Inside, the collection is wonderfully eclectic, weaving together everything from local lace and prehistoric artifacts to the story of Totnes-born polymath Charles Babbage. It’s less a formal museum and more a series of intimate, curious rooms that tell the rich social story of this unique town.
Collection Highlights
Don't miss the fascinating replica of Babbage's famous Difference Engine No. 1, or the surprisingly poignant collection of Victorian-era mourning jewelry tucked away in a glass case. Upstairs, you can peek into a recreated Tudor bedroom that really makes you feel the centuries.
Visitor Information
It's right on the main street, so you can't miss it—just look for the Elizabethan bay window jutting out over the pavement. Check their website for seasonal opening times as they can vary.
Architecture & Building
A classic example of a late Tudor merchant's house with its distinctive timber-frame construction and an ornate oriel window overlooking the street.
Contact & Location
Address: Fore Street, The Mount, Totnes, South Hams, Devon, Devon and Torbay, England, TQ9 5NL, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
