Exploring North Devon’s Cultural Heritage at the Burton Art Gallery and Museum

The Burton Art Gallery and Museum is a cultural institution located in Bideford, a historic market town in North Devon, England.

The gallery and museum are housed in a beautifully restored building and is named after Thomas Burton, a wealthy landowner who donated the building to the town in the 19th century.

The building itself was opened to commemorate the sad and untimely death of Burton’s daughter named Mary. She was a talented artist in her own right and her father wanted the gallery to last in memorial to her.

The museum’s collection of North Devon ceramics is one of its most popular attractions. The collection features work by local potters. The museum’s ceramics collection provides a fascinating insight into the history and evolution of pottery in North Devon.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Burton Art Gallery and Museum is located in Bideford, North Devon, EX39 2QQ.

The institution is named after Thomas Burton, who donated the building to town.

The museum hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

Offers support for the local community and runs a wide range of exhibitions during the year.

The museum has over 3,000 objects, including ceramics, paintings, and prints. Its ceramics collection features work by local potters and designers.

Museum’s Collection

The Burton Art Gallery and Museum is known for its extensive, permanent collection of art & treasures that tell the story of North Devon’s very rich cultural heritage.

The museum is home to over 3,000 objects, including ceramics, paintings, prints, drawings etc… The collection is diverse as it is large and covers a range of topics, from local history to contemporary art.

The museum’s collection has works by some of the most renowned artists of the past few centuries. The collection includes paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds, one of the greatest British portrait painters of the 18th century.

The museum also has works by the French impressionist Lucien Pissarro, who settled in North Devon towards the end of his life.

The Burton Art Gallery and Museum is also home to an impressive collection of local history items too. These tell the story of North Devon’s maritime heritage, agricultural history, and industrial past. The museum’s collection includes items such as:

• Fishing gear
• Farming tools
• Historical clothing. 

Visitors can learn about the local lace-making industry, the history of local agriculture, and the role of North Devon in the Second World War.

Temporary Exhibitions

In addition to its permanent collection, the Burton Art Gallery and Museum host a variety of temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

These exhibitions cover a range of topics, from contemporary art to local history and culture. The museum has hosted exhibitions by local artists, as well as international artists.

At the time of writing, the Museum has its “Annual Open exhibition” and next is the “The Permanent Collection” and “40 years of War Horse”.

To see the current and upcoming exhibitions at the Burton Art Gallery and Museum, see here.

Education & the Community

The Burton Art Gallery and Museum also offer a range of educational and outreach programs. These programs are designed to engage with the local community and promote a deeper understanding of North Devon’s cultural heritage.

The museum runs regular workshops, talks, and events for children and adults, and also offers educational resources for schools and colleges.

A prime example of this is the “Crafty Kids” kids’ workshop every Tuesday and extended options during the school holidays.

The Museum Building

The Burton Art Gallery and Museum are housed in a beautiful building with a rich history of its own.

The building has undergone several renovations over the centuries. The most recent renovation took place in 2008 when the museum was expanded and modernized.

The building now features state-of-the-art exhibition spaces and facilities for visitors.

Visitors to the Burton Art Gallery and Museum can enjoy a range of facilities and amenities. The museum has a café that serves homemade food, as well as a shop that sells gifts, books, and artwork.

The museum is fully accessible, with wheelchair access to all areas and disabled parking available.

For opening times, contact details etc.. see our “Things to Do in Bideford” section.