Fairlynch Museum
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FAIRLYNCH MUSEUM
​50 YEARS CELEBRATING EAST DEVON'S HERITAGE ​IN A BEAUTIFUL THATCHED COTTAGE BY THE SEA




A pebble’s throw from the best beach in Devon, we’re a volunteer-run museum for life-long learners of all ages and everyone who loves our corner of the world. We have nationally important costume and geological collections and excellent resources for local and family history researchers.

FAIRLYNCH IS OPEN FROM FRIDAY 18th APRIL - SUNDAY 2nd NOVEMBER IN 2025
Our opening hours are 2.00 - 4.30 Tuesday - Sunday, and Bank Holiday Mondays.​

Entry is FREE to Friends of Fairlynch and children under 16
£2.50 to everyone else - and every penny helps to keep our beautiful museum open



HOW TO FIND US

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Very good
Very informative, with lots of story boards and staff can answer any questions,
​they have a wealth of knowledge.
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HELGA G 

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Nov 2019

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Wonderful old museum in an unusual building
Spent about an hour and a half wandering round looking at the various objects and subject matter in the museum. Well collated and interesting.
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Cathy Aquilla 

Tripadvisor
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 Oct 2019

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Wonderful little museum
Popped into this wonderful little museum not really knowing what to expect. It's pretty eclectic, from smuggling to Mr Punch, Budleigh train station to Walter Ralegh. I challenge you not to learn something! Very helpful and friendly volunteers make the experience more than an average museum.

Sarah Z 

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Aug 2019

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GEORGIAN SILK DRESSES Some of the earliest pieces in our collection, 250 years old
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BRENDA THOMAS Exhibition of recent work, with some pieces for sale
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THE OLD SHOPS OF FORE STREET IN BUDLEIGH SALTERTON Photographs and artefacts from our collection
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BIRDS OF THE LOWER OTTER ESTUARY BY PHOTOGRAPHER DAVID WHITE
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ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS FROM THE LOWER OTTER RESTORATION PROJECT 2021-2023


​Our 2025 Exhibitions

Sir Walter Ralegh Room

Our local historic celebrity is credited with popularising tobacco, but there is so much more to him than that!
about sir walter ralegh

Local Geology, Archaeology and Nature

Visitors to Budleigh Salterton always admire the soaring red cliffs and our colourful pebbles, but how did they get here and how did a local man discover the radioactive secret at the end of the beach?
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The estuary of the River Otter has changed radically in the past year, to cope with climate change and rising sea levels. Now it is a new National Nature Reserve, attracting birds to a habitat of saltmarsh and mudflats alongside the flowing river. As the land adjusts from a fresh- to a saltwater ecosystem, which plants and animals will thrive and how will strong tidal currents sculpt the landscape?

People have enjoyed living beside the sea in East Devon for thousands of years. Our Archaeology collection features some of the artefacts they left behind.

Geology
Archaeology
Nature

Local History, Genealogy and Railways

Budleigh Salterton, its surrounding villages, coast and beautiful countryside may seem tranquil now but we’ve seen plenty of drama in the past and local people have helped to shape world history. Maybe your ancestors were among them?
Local History
Genealogy
Railways

Exhibition Room and Art

Fairlynch Museum is committed to showing fresh and relevant exhibitions in our dedicated upstairs space. In 2025 there is an exhibition of stunning work by Budleigh Salterton textile artist Brenda Thomas 
art on display

Costumes, Lace and Toys

Our wonderful collection includes many rare items, some up to 300 years old. Each year we choose different pieces to display, so don’t miss this year’s selection. Lace making once employed hundreds of local women and girls, and we have some exquisite examples of their work and the oldest trolly lace bobbin in England! This room also houses our toy collection.
Costumes
Lace
Bears and Toys

Downstairs to the Smugglers' Cellar

On your way out do visit our museum shop, where you will find a range of souvenirs, cards, maps and gifts to purchase.
What's in the cellar?

news



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Fairlynch Museum and Arts Centre


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OPEN 18 April - 2 November 2025  |  Tues - Sun + Bank Holiday Mondays, 2pm - 4.30pm 
ADMISSION: £2.50 PER ADULT |  CHILDREN UNDER 16 FREE  |  Free entry to Friends of Fairlynch
Unaccompanied children not admitted
Budleigh Salterton Arts Centre and Museum (Fairlynch), 27 Fore Street, Budleigh Salterton, Devon EX9 6NP   |   01395 442666   |   Contact us
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© Budleigh Salterton Arts Centre and Museum (Fairlynch Museum) 2020  All Rights Reserved   |     Registered Charity 306636     |      Privacy & Cookies Policy    |   ​ Website design by brightblueC
  • Home
  • About
    • News
    • History
    • Volunteers
    • Department Heads
    • Trustees >
      • Legal
    • Friends and Supporters
    • Donations
    • Shop
    • Visiting >
      • Group Visits
      • Location
      • Access
      • Photography
  • Exhibitions
    • CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Events
    • Coffee Time Talks
  • The museum
    • Archaeology
    • Art
    • Bears and Toys
    • Costumes >
      • Fairlynch Corset
    • Genealogy
    • Geology
    • Lace
    • Local History
    • Research
    • Sir Walter Ralegh >
      • Radical Ralegh
    • Smugglers' cellar
    • Nature >
      • Beavers
    • Railways
    • Photo Gallery
  • Contact