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South West
This section covers museum collections in the seven ceremonial counties of Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire.













Avon
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
They say 'Bristol Museum and Art Gallery has collections of regional, national and international importance. It is one of the few museums to have been awarded designated status by the government – the mark of an outstanding museum.'
They say 'Brunel's SS Great Britain is now Bristol's number one visitor attraction, with two museums and the lovingly restored Victorian ship, a leading research centre, a wedding venue and a purpose built conference facility.'
Cornwall
Lostwithiel Museum Association
They say 'This is a local history museum reflecting the agricultural, trade and domestic heritage of this ancient Cornish capital.'
National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth
Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Penzance
They say 'Penlee House, Penzance, is the only Cornish public gallery specialising in the Newlyn School artists (c.1880 - c.1940) including Stanhope and Elizabeth Forbes, Frank Bramley, Walter Langley and Laura Knight. Set in an elegant Victorian house and park, Penlee House also covers West Cornwall's archaeology and social history, and offers an excellent café and shop.'
Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro
They say 'The Royal Institution of Cornwall – the organisation that owns and manages the Royal Cornwall Museum and Courtney Library – was founded in 1818 for ‘the promotion of knowledge in natural history, ethnology and the fine and industrial arts, especially in relation to Cornwall’.'
Devon
Braunton and District Museum
They say 'The collection reflects the early beginnings of Braunton with particular reference to the Braunton Great Field, one of only two remaining working examples of Saxon strip farming in England.'
Ilfracombe Museum
They say 'Ilfracombe Museum is overflowing with curiosities and memorabilia, this historic building houses unimaginable finds from a shrunken head to pickled bats. First opened in August 1932, the original curator was Mervyn G Palmer who started it all following his explorations in South America collecting butterflies for the British Museum.'
Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery
Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter
RAMM cares for a wonderful and diverse collection consisting of over one million individual objects and specimens from all over the globe. They are divided into the following curatorial departments: antiquities; ethnography; natural history, decorative and fine arts. The collections contain items of local, national and international importance, and many are of outstanding historical or cultural significance.
Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum and Historical Society
They say 'Visit us and discover the fascinating history of Teignmouth and Shaldon, from a mysterious shipwreck and the amazing story of naval hero Admiral Pellew, to local band Muse. A great day out… there’s something for everyone in our fantastic family-friendly museum.'
Topsham Museum
They say 'Part of the Museum's focus is on Topsham's maritime history - one particular showpiece is the River Gallery, completed in 2007, featuring unique historic river craft. Visitors can also enjoy the furnished period rooms of the original house and the Sail Loft with its historical timeline of the town's general history.'
Torquay Museum
They say 'When the Torquay Natural History Society was founded in 1844 its members almost immediately realised the need for a Museum in which to display their collections.'
Dorset
Bridport Museum
They say 'The Museum tells the story of the town's history from its origins to the present day with notable displays on artefacts from a nearby Roman hill-fort and the world famous rope and net making industries.'
Beaminster Museum
Blandford Forum Museum Trust
They say 'Blandford Museum houses and displays artefacts from Blandford Forum and the surrounding Villages. The museum is a community museum run by volunteers.'
Langton Matravers Museum, Swanage
They say 'The Collection was begun by three people working quite independently of one another during the years immediately following World War II, to include documents, artefacts and photographs relating to the history of the Parish of Langton Matravers from geological times to the present.'
Lyme Regis Museum
They say 'Lyme Regis Museum stands where Dorset meets Devon on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Built on the site of the fossilist Mary Anning's home, the museum is an architectural gem packed with fascination. Discover Lyme’s history, its geology, its fossils, its artists and writers , from J M Whistler to Jane Austen to John Fowles.'
They say 'Displays range from archaeology to art, from pirates to potteries. Highlights include the Iron Age Poole logboat, the finest collection of Poole Pottery on public display, and a replica hide where you can view the birds of Poole Harbour.'
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth
Gloucester City Museum and Art Gallery
The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum
They say 'The Wilson houses an internationally significant museum collection of exceptional quality and variety, changing displays of our Designated Arts and Crafts Movement collection and fine art collections. We’re home to The Open Archive, which houses our fascinating archives relating to Antarctic explorer Edward A. Wilson, Cheltenham’s history and the Emery Walker Library.'
Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution
Community Heritage Access Centre, Yeovil
The Museum of Somerset, Taunton
They say 'Come and explore the exciting history of North Somerset from pre-history to the present day. Weston-super-Mare Museum is a real treasure trove that tells the wonderful story of the area's varied and colourful past. Take a stroll around the former gasworks company building or just relax in the attractive palm-lined courtyard cafe.'
The Alexander Keiller Museum, Avebury
Chippenham Museum & Heritage Centre
They say 'The REME Museum preserves the heritage of the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. With seven galleries to explore and many interactives to keep you busy, there is lots to see and do.'