Fairlynch Museum and Arts Centre

Name: Fairlynch Museum and Arts Centre
Address: 27 Fore Street, Budleigh Salterton, EX96NP, GB
Telephone: +441395442666
Price range: £

Home
United Kingdom
Budleigh Salterton
Fairlynch Museum and Arts Centre

Fairlynch is a unique thatched museum depicting the local history of the beautiful coastal Devon town It is one of the very few thatched museums in the UK.

Fairlynch Museum, and the Museum shop, offering a range of local souvenirs, is open from Easter to the end of October. FAIRLYNCH IS OPEN FROM FRIDAY 7th APRIL - SUNDAY 29th OCTOBER IN 2023

Our opening hours are 2.00 - 4.30 Tuesday - Sunday, and Bank Holiday Mondays. Covid restrictions have been lifted and public access to research resources such as local history files, is restored. We are entirel

y run by volunteers and rely on your support to keep going. You can't miss us - Fairlynch occupies an imposing position on a bank overlooking the junction of Fore Street and Marine Parade in the East Devon coastal town of Budleigh Salterton. The building is a typical example of a 'marine cottage orné' and is Grade II listed. It was built by a local shipowner Matthew Yeates around 1811. The Museum started with the collection of period costumes gathered by Budleigh residents the Misses Gawne, together with the many geological specimens amassed by local archaeologist George Carter. It opened on 27 July 1967, with Priscilla Hull (his daughter) as the first Chairman. As well as its impressive displays of costumes and lace, Fairlynch has rare items of railway memorabilia. The Museum has excellent facilities for studying the local history of Budleigh Salterton and the Lower Otter Valley. Please support us by visiting, donating or shopping with us! SHOP ONLINE: https://www.devonmuseums.net/Fairlynch-Museum/E-Commerce/

04/04/2026

The Fairlynch Museum in Budleigh Salterton has reopened for the 2026 season with many new displays on show.
The official reopening was performed by the Museum’s patron Lord Clinton.
It features a brand new exhibition, “Budleigh from Above”, in conjunction with Budleigh Arts Club.
The Fairlynch Museum’s Chairman, Trevor Waddington said, “It’s an exciting and refreshing view of our town from rarely seen angles. The quality of the artwork is quite exceptional.
Trevor Waddington added, “It’s not just the art that’s new this year. There’s the story of Big Chief I-SPY Charles Warrell (1889 -1995) who devised a set of books that challenged children to “see” their surroundings. He retired to Budleigh, where he lived for many years. “The Dressmaker” continues our focus on ladies' fashion, this time from 1780 to 1830. Photography in Budleigh Salterton is a new display that includes both early and current photography from the town and some of the cameras that were used by those pioneering photographers. Sue Morgan is the museum’s Curator of Lace. This year we will be displaying some of her award-winning lace alongside pieces from the museum’s extensive collection. “Heaths to Sea” features local photographers and their images of the animals that make their homes inhedgerows and field margins. There’s certainly plenty to see this year at the museum.”

The Fairlynch Museum is open now until Sunday 1st Nov 2026.The opening hours are 2.00 - 4.30 Tuesday - Sunday, and Bank Holiday Mondays. 27 Fore St, Budleigh Salterton, EX9 6NP

Entry is free for Friends of Fairlynch and children under 16, £2.50 for everyone else. Every penny helps to keep the museum open.

24/03/2026

Fairlynch Museum Coffee Talk
Wednesday 1st April 2026
For one morning a year

Prof. Flo Prialo
The emeritus professor of mythos and antediluvian envisaging at the University of Newton Abbot.
It’s going to be a fascinating talk as she looks at the history, mythology and conventions that have surrounded this day. From the 14th century and from all over Europe. From Chaucer to the Tower of London, from the French to the Norwegians. From astronomer Patrick Moore to the BBC’s greatest correspondent. “For one morning only” will be over by noon.
Peter Hall, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6LT
Coffee from 10.30. Talks begin at 11:00 am. Friends of Fairlynch £4, others £6

That’s all for this season. But the Fairlynch Coffee-time Talks will be back on Wednesday 2nd September 2026 and the first Wednesday of the month through to April 2027.
Watch this space!

20/02/2026

Fairlynch Coffee talks

The South West Coastal Footpath. Wednesday 4th March,

Enjoy the cherished South West coastal footpath without getting out of breath, sunburnt or soaked! David Westcott , who has walked it all along with his camera, will be taking us on the journey from Exmouth through Budleigh Salterton and on to Swanage.

Peter Hall, Lawn Road. Doors open at 10:30am and the talk will start at 11am. It costs £4 to Friends of Fairlynch and £6 to the general public, including coffee, tea, and biscuits.

26/01/2026

Brenda Thomas. A unique Budleigh Salterton artist.

Wednesday 4th February 2026

We look back at one of the most successful exhibitions the museum has held and forward to some of the new art in progress. Brenda Thomas, who lives in our town has a unique style using sewing and embroidery to capture local scenes. Many have been amazed by her ability to capture our area in such an unusual medium. Brenda will be showing some of her latest works and demonstrating how she goes about creating her masterpieces. (Image courtesy of Brenda Thomas. Heron at Elizabeth Bridge.)

Peter Hall, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6LT
Coffee from 10.30. Talks begin at 11:00 am. Friends of Fairlynch £4, others £6

15/12/2025

It’s not just birds!
Wednesday 7th January 2026
Coffee-time talks.

Local Wildlife photographer David White has become well known in the area for his wonderful pictures many of them taken on the Lower Otter. Not surprisingly it’s his fabulous pictures of the birds that have received so much praise.

But there’s so much more to see if, like David, you know where to look.

It’s two years since David last spoke at a Fairlynch coffee-time talk but this time he’ll be concentrating on the animals, amphibians, butterflies and other insects that make their home in the area. There’ll also be some rare pictures of wildcats!

This is a change of speaker. Becks Pearson will now be talking about the land army in Devon on the 4th Nov 2026

Peter Hall, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6LT
Coffee from 10.30. Talks begin at 11:00 am. Friends of Fairlynch £4, others £6

4 Feb Textile Art. A unique Budleigh Salterton artist Brenda Thomas

4 Mar The SW Coast Footpath David Westcott

1 April Prof. Flo Prialo, Emeritus Prof of Mythos/ Antediluvian Envisaging, Uni. of Newton Abbot.

24/11/2025

A Devon Christmas
Wednesday 3rd December 2025

We’ll be finding out, in distinctive style, how our Tudor forebears celebrated Christmas. Last season Rosemary Griggs came along as Sir Walter Raleigh’s mother. But this time, assisted by her loyal peasant, she will be demonstrating, in period costume, what Christmas meant to the Tudors. As special guests we’re invited to join Sir Philip Champernowne’s Christmas feast at the Court House in Modbury and we’ll discover the etiquette, menu and customs of a sixteenth century Christmas

Peter Hall, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6LT
Coffee from 10.30. Talks begin at 11:00 am. Friends of Fairlynch £4, others £6

7th Jan 26. Change of talk. Its not just birds! Local photographer David White.
4 Feb Textile Art. A unique Budleigh Salterton artist Brenda Thomas
4 Mar The SW Coast Footpath David Westcott
1 April Prof. Flo Prialo, Emeritus Prof of Mythos/ Antediluvian Envisaging, Uni. of Newton Abbot

20/11/2025

Fairlynch Museum Christmas Cards..

Since the post about late night shopping and the Fairlynch Museum Christmas card, designed by local artist Brenda Thomas, we’ve had enquiries about how to buy them if you can’t get along on Friday the 28th. They are available via this website.

https://www.devonmuseums.net/Christmas-Card/Fairlynch-Museum-Budleigh-Salterton/View-Product/

18/11/2025

Fairlynch Museum open for late night shopping.

As you may know Budleigh Christmas Late Night Shopping is taking place on Friday 28th November, and as always the Museum will be joining in the fun and celebrations.

We'll be open from 6pm to 8pm. There'll be a chance to revisit this year's exhibitions before they are taken down, and the shop will be open. We think that our exclusive Christmas cards with a design by Brenda Thomas will be particularly popular. so come along and bag yours. (see photo)

There'll also be mulled wine to warm you, and music from a lutenist to entertain you, what more could you ask for a Festive atmosphere!

We look forward to welcoming you a week on Friday.

04/11/2025

A reminder of tomorrow’s talk .

Fairlynch Coffee Talks 25-26
5th November 25
Kinder Transport

In the build up to Remembrance Day we recall the part East Devon played in the remarkable story of the Kindertransport. With war in Europe looming thousands of Jewish children were evacuated from the threat of N**i Germany. Six of the 23 Polish children who came to Britain found sanctuary in Talaton near Whimple. Stewart Raine recounts their story and that of Otto Deutsch who left Vienna in 1938. Photo Kinder transport children arrive in Britain (Public domain)

Peter Hall, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6LT

The rest of the season…

3 DecA Tudor Christmas Rosemary Griggs
7 Jan Women’s Land Army in Devon Becks Pearson
4 Feb Textile Art. A unique Budleigh Salterton artist Brenda Thomas
4 MarThe SW Coast Footpath David Westcott
1 AprilTBC

Coffee from 10.30. Talks begin at 11:00 am. Friends of Fairlynch £4, others £6
www.fairlynchmuseum.uk

20/10/2025

Fairlynch Coffee Talks 25-26
5th November 25
Kinder Transport

In the build up to Remembrance Day we recall the part East Devon played in the remarkable story of the Kindertransport. With war in Europe looming thousands of Jewish children were evacuated from the threat of N**i Germany. Six of the 23 Polish children who came to Britain found sanctuary in Talaton near Whimple. Stewart Raine recounts their story and that of Otto Deutsch who left Vienna in 1938. Photo Kinder transport children arrive in Britain (Public domain)

Peter Hall, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6LT

The rest of the season…

3 DecA Tudor Christmas Rosemary Griggs
7 Jan Women’s Land Army in Devon Becks Pearson
4 Feb Textile Art. A unique Budleigh Salterton artist Brenda Thomas
4 MarThe SW Coast Footpath David Westcott
1 AprilTBC

Coffee from 10.30. Talks begin at 11:00 am. Friends of Fairlynch £4, others £6
www.fairlynchmuseum.uk

01/10/2025

The Museum’s coffee talk this morning was really excellent. Marilyn Bishop enthralled with her account of Beryl Cook’s life and artwork. There was mention of the exhibition of her work that starts at The Box in Plymouth in the new year.

This a link if you want to put the dates in your diary.

https://www.theboxplymouth.com/blog/press-release/the-box-announces-landmark-beryl-cook-exhibition-for-2026

In the meantime the talks continue on the 5th November when Stewart Raine recounts the story of Kinder Transport and the part Devon played in their survival

10.30 for tea or coffee. The talk begins at 11.

24/09/2025

Beryl Cook
Wed 1st Oct 2025
We find out about the popular artist Beryl Cook who lived in Devon until her death 17 years ago. Comparisons may be made with our own Joyce Dennys. They both had their own unique styles but Beryl was not afraid to ruffle a few feathers. Her pictures were often comical and featured the people she met in everyday life. Devon art historian Marilyn Bishop examines her work and her legacy. (Bowlers. Courtesy www.ourberylcook.com)
St Peter Hall 10.30 for tea or coffee. Talk starts at 11

£4 for Friends of Fairlynch, Others £6

Address

27 Fore Street
Budleigh Salterton
EX96NP

Telephone

+441395442666

Website

http://fairlynchmuseum.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Fairlynch Museum and Arts Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Fairlynch Museum and Arts Centre:

Shortcuts

Want your museum to be the top-listed Museum in Budleigh Salterton?