Best South Devon Museums, Torquay, South Devon

Best South Devon Museums, Torquay, South Devon

South Devon has some great regional museums. We list the best below. Also find listings for National Trust and English Heritage properties.

 

Museums

Torre Abbey. A museum and art gallery housed within an ancient abbey, this is up there with the best cultural attractions in South West England. It's an amazing place that's seen a lot of investment in recent years which means the exhibitions and building are high quality. If you like history and the arts, make sure you go.

We've positioned Torre Abbey on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location. Walk from the centre of Torquay or park at the leisure centre behind the abbey and wonder down through the gardens.

Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM). Comparable to Torre Abbey, another Westcountry cultural attraction that's seen a lot of investment. Book out a day for your visit as it's packed with fascinating exhibits.

Torquay Museum. Brilliant local museum. Visit alongside a trip to Kents Cavern.

Dartmouth Museum. Compact local museum in the heart of Dartmouth.

Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery. Currently closed. Being refurbished along the lines of Torre Abbey/Exeter's RAMM.

 

National Trust properties in South Devon

Coleton Fishacre (National Trust). Stunning National Trust property on the South Devon coast between Kingswear/Dartmouth and the south end of The English Riviera.

Greenway (National Trust). Greenway was once Agatha Christie's home. We'd recommend taking the ferry to Greenway Halt and the National Trust's Greenway. Note that you can walk back to Kingswear on the Dart Valley Trail before taking a ferry across the water to Dartmouth.

Overbeck's Garden and Museum (National Trust). Another amazing location overlooking the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary.

Saltram (National Trust). Situated on the outskirts of Plymouth, one of the National Trust's busiest Devon properties.

Buckland Abbey (National Trust). Once home to Sir Francis Drake, Buckland Abbey is located in the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by Dartmoor National Park.

Compton Castle (National Trust). Wonderful building. Restricted opening times so consult the National Trust website for information.

Bradley (National Trust). Located on the edge of Newton Abbot. Again, restricted opening times so consult the National Trust website for information.

 

English Heritage properties in South Devon

Dartmouth Castle (English Heritage). Dartmouth Castle and the smaller Kingswear Castle across the water guard the mouth of the Dart Estuary. The setting is magnificent and worth visiting for the views alone.

Totnes Castle (English Heritage). English Heritage castle in the heart of Totnes.

Berry Pomeroy Castle (English Heritage). Impressive castle ruin situated between Totnes and The English Riviera.

Salcombe Castle (English Heritage). Another castle ruin on The Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary.