It’s easy to miss Okehampton’s Museum of Dartmoor Life, as it’s tucked away in a pretty little courtyard off West Street, but it’s definitely worth seeking this little gem out. The museum’s core collection originally came from a private museum at Clannaborough Farm, Throwleigh, and consists mainly of farming and social history memorabilia from north-western Dartmoor.
The permanent collection is housed over three floors of a renovated building that was formerly a mill and warehouse, dating from the early 19th century. Two additional ranges of buildings, which were originally used for domestic and industrial purposes, now house the privately let Victorian Tea Rooms. The buildings are set around a cobbled courtyard, which provides the ideal setting for outdoor seating, and at the back of the museum, there is a 19th century waterwheel.
The top floor of the museum focusses on objects from prehistoric Dartmoor through to the early 20th century. You can find out what a Bronze age hut would have looked at, and what sort of tools people of that era would have used. Coming more up to date, there are displays showing how people lived at the turn of the last century, including what they did for entertainment. Finally, an early fire engine completes this part of the collection.
The middle floor concentrates on the industries that have helped to shape how Dartmoor looks today. Topics covered include the geology of Dartmoor and how this provided resources to be mined and quarried, military use of the moor both in the past and present, the importance of the wool industry in the area, and different modes of transport used on the moors.
The ground floor collection explores how the climate of Dartmoor affects its inhabitants. Not surprisingly, farming features prominently and there is information on harvesting and cider making. Ancillary trades, such as blacksmithing, are also covered, as are the agricultural vehicles and machines that revolutionised farming. There are also objects from the Dartmoor Blizzard of 1963, which tell the story of the attempts to keep the railway open.
As well as the permanent collection, the museum stages many temporary exhibitions. For example, in ‘A Right Royal Exhibition’, which was co-curated with the people of Dartmoor and Okehampton, you can learn about the influence of the Royal Family on the local area through memorabilia, photographs, arts and crafts and stories. Younger visitors are made to feel very welcome and there are various hunts and trails that allow children to explore the museum at their own pace. There is also a small gift shop, which stocks a range of locally made presents and souvenirs. The museum is also home to a small colony of Dartmoor pixies, but that’s a whole other story…!
As well as housing the various collections, the museum provides tourist information for North Dartmoor and acts as a focal point for community events and activities. The museum re-opens for the 2023 season in March, and an admission ticket will gain you entry to the museum for the entire year.
