Torquay Museum
Torquay Museum is Devon’s oldest established Museum still operating. Founded in 1844 by the Torquay Natural History Society, which was renamed Torquay Museum Society in 2003, the Society celebrated its 160th birthday in 2004.The current Museum building was begun in 1874 and within two years the building was in use.
The Museum holds collections that are exceptional for a Museum of this size with over 300,000 specimens held in the stores of which only about one percent are on display. The collections include objects and artifacts relating to natural history, palaeontology, archaeology, social history, ethnography, Torquay pottery and pictorial records and archives relating to the Torbay area as well as from across the world.
The museum is a dynamic environment that is committed to enabling people of all ages to learn about our past and the amazing world around us.
WAY OF THE WARRIOR - GLADIATOR TO SOLDIER
Way of the Warrior – Gladiator to Soldier showcases stunning arms & armour, costumes and props from some of the biggest Hollywood blockbuster movies, and will appeal to families and film buffs alike
The exhibition includes weapons and costumes from epic films such as Gladiator, 300, The Last Samurai, Saving Private Ryan, King Arthur and Kingdom of Heaven, to name but a few.
The highlight of the exhibition is iconic armour worn by Russell Crowe (General Maximus) and Joaquin Phoenix (Emperor Commodus) from Gladiator, never before displayed outside of London, together with other props and costumes from the film, including Russell Crowe's gladiator sword.
AGATHA CHRISTIE
Detect the real life story behind Agatha Christie, the world famous crime writer who was born in Torquay, in Britain's only permanent gallery dedicated to her life and work. Trace the eventful life of the best selling author of all time through a vast collection of photographs and images. See some of her personal effects, from an original manuscript and handwritten notes to some of her clothes and dozens of first editions of her novels.
EXPLORERS
The Museum's new Explorers Gallery, one of the most modern and creative galleries in Devon, traces the incredible journeys made by Torquay's famous explorers, from the frozen wastes of the Antarctic to the depths of the Brazilian rainforest. You can see fascinating artifacts from across the globe, including objects from ancient Egypt.
ANCESTORS
Torquay Museum’s Ancestors exhibition charts the arrival of the first humans to set foot in Devon 450,000 years ago, and traces their ancestors down through the millennia, including the elusive Neanderthals that inhabited Kents Cavern prehistoric caves around 40,000 years ago, through to the first modern humans to arrive in Britain.
KENTS CAVERN PREHISTORIC CAVES
Many of the artifacts from Torquay's famous Kents Cavern prehistoric caves are housed in the Museum. The caves were home to man's ancestors as long as half a million years ago and have yielded some amazing finds, from possible Neanderthal remains to palaeolithic flint tools, woolly mammoth teeth to cave bear skulls.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
The museum is open:
Monday – Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm (last entry at 4.00pm)
Sundays from Mid July to September 1.30pm – 5.00pm
Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day
| Prices from 1st April 2010 |
| Adult |
£4.65 |
| Child |
£2.95 |
| Concession / Student |
£3.50 |
| Family (2 adults + 3 children) |
£14.50 |
| Groups |
| Adult |
£3.70 |
| Concession / Students(including Language Students) |
£2.75 |
| Annual Entry Tickets |
| Adult |
£10.00 |
| Concession / Students |
£7.50 |
| Child |
£6.30 |
| Family (2 adults + 3 children) |
£30.00 |
In support of Torquay Museum's conservation work and to raise funds for future gallery development visitors are invited to make a minimum 10% voluntary donation on their entry price.
Because the museum is a registered Charity it can then apply for Gift Aid allowing us to claim 28 pence in every pound from the Government.
If you do not wish to make this 10% voluntary donation then please advise the ticket staff accordingly. Right of entry is the same whether an admission charge is paid or a donation of 10% or more than that charge is made.
Getting to the Museum:
By car:
All local car parks are pay and display.
The nearest car park is the Terrace. Exit from the far end of the top platform and the museum is 45 meters downhill.
There is limited on street parking available
By bus:
From the town centre buses No 32 and 85 will drop you outside the museum
From the train station buses No 12 and 200 will drop you in the town centre
On foot:
The museum is situated on Babbacombe road and is a 5 minute walk from Torquay Harbour.
Disabled Access:
Services for visitors with mobility difficulties:
The museum is fully accessible to visitors with mobility problems.
Access to the ground floor is by ramp, while a lift and stair lift will take you to the galleries.
Disabled cloakroom facilities are available on both the ground and first floor.
Services for visitors with hearing impairment:
The newly refurbished Pengelly Hall is fitted with an AV loop which is available for use when attending the Lecture series.
In the new explorers gallery the soundtrack for the "Introduction to Explorers" is available as a written script.
Parking
The Museum has one parking space that can be reserved, please contact us for details.
A large car park can be found on the Terrace which is only fifty yards from the Museum.
Museum Café
Opening Times
October - June, 10.30am - 3.30pm, Monday - Friday
July - September 10.30am - 3.30pm, Monday - Saturday
Pengelly's café provides a relaxing atmosphere to take a break during your visit to the museum.
Serving light refreshments, snacks and home cooked meals there is an option to suit every taste and as the café is licensed you can also enjoy a glass of wine with your meal.
The café is also able to offer catering for events and private parties held within the museum, including children’s parties.
Address:
Torquay Museum
529 Babbacombe Road
Torquay
Devon TQ1 1HG