Sidmouth Museum

Sidmouth Museum is a small local history museum in the Devon seaside town of Sidmouth, housed in Hope Cottage on Church Street. It is a good first stop for anyone who wants to understand how a quiet Regency resort on the English Channel came to be what it is, and what lies beneath its famous red cliffs.

What is Sidmouth Museum?

The museum tells the story of Sidmouth and the surrounding Sid Valley through objects, pictures and documents. Its collections cover local history, lacemaking, archaeology and geology, along with displays about prominent people connected with the town. Interactive displays take up themes such as the museum's art collection, the lace collection and the history of Sidmouth's hotels, which reflects the town's long life as a holiday destination.

Who runs it and how did it start?

The museum is owned and funded by the Sid Vale Association, a local society of residents. The story began in 1950, when Mary Kilgour invited the association to take over a collection of exhibits. The collection was first shown at Woolcombe House and moved to its present home in Hope Cottage in 1970. Today the museum is run entirely by volunteers, most of them members of the association, which gives visits a friendly, local character.

What can you see?

Lace and local history

Lacemaking is one of the traditional crafts of East Devon, and the lace collection is one of the museum's distinctive themes. Alongside it you will find material on everyday life in the town, its buildings and its residents over the centuries.

Fossils, minerals and rocks

Sidmouth sits on the Jurassic Coast, the UNESCO World Heritage coastline of Dorset and East Devon. The museum's collection of fossils, minerals and rocks includes many specimens from the Sidmouth area and from the cliffs of the World Heritage site. It is useful preparation if you plan to walk the shoreline afterwards.

Where is it and when is it open?

The museum stands at the top of Church Street, next to the Parish Church, and is reached from the Market Place in the town centre. Some sources list a different street for the address, but the museum's own listing gives Hope Cottage, Church Street. It is a seasonal museum, open from March to October, so check current opening times before you travel. Admission is charged, with free entry for children under 16 and for members of the Sid Vale Association.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sidmouth Museum suitable for a short visit?

Yes. It is a compact museum, and a visit fits comfortably into a walk around the town centre.

Is it open all year?

No. It operates seasonally, from March to October.

Who runs the museum?

Volunteers, mostly members of the Sid Vale Association, which owns and funds it.

What is the museum best known for?

Its lace collection, local archaeology and geology, and its fossils and minerals from the Jurassic Coast.