We have collections describing the life and times of the people of Teignmouth and Shaldon.
Objects, photos and documents have been donated to the Museum over the past 40 years. If you have something related to Teignmouth or Shaldon you think might interest us, please contact us
Don't miss these objects on display...
Click the picture for further information
Edwardian bathing costume
In the early 1900s even these extremely modest bathing suits by modern standards were not considered suitable in which to be seen in public.
Read More
Edwardian bathing machine
Edwardian bathing machine rescued from Teignmouth Back Beach and renovated
Read More
Atmospheric railway tubing
A piece of atmospheric railway tubing used by Brunel in his Atmospheric Railway between Exeter and Newton Abbot 1847.
Read More
Admiral Pellew Viscount Exmouth
Portrait of Admiral Pellew Viscount Exmouth by the famous portrait painter Sir Thomas Lawrence 1818.
Read More
Pier machine
A pier machine from Teignmouth Pier owned by the Brenner family
Read More
Minion gun
Simon Burton in 2011 with the minion gun on display from the Church Rocks
Read More
Boneshaker bicycle
This bicycle from the 1800s earnt the name boneshaker by providing an extremely uncomfortable ride on tyres made of iron.
Read More
Collection of Shaldon handmade lace
Collection of Shaldon handmade lace over 100 years old
Read More
Church Rocks Wreck Touchscreen
Videos, games, maps and more
Read More
VR Experience
First World War Virtual Reality Experience
Read More
Just as a taster our collections include:
In the Sea Gallery
Shipping on the River Teign
Shipping on the River Teign Collection
Teignmouth & Shaldon have a long maritime history of fishing and shipbuilding.
- West Teignmouth was one of the major ports on the south-west coast in the 14th century and responded to the King’s request for ships for the invasion of France
- the Morgan Giles shipyard 1921-1968 built over 1,000 boats, from racing yachts to Admiralty vessels and luxury motor cruisers
Pellew's dress uniform
Admiral Pellew
Telling the story of when Admiral Pellew's fleet of English and Dutch ships defeated the Dey of Algiers, rescuing European fishermen from ransom and slavery.
This collection includes his flag from the Battle of Algiers (1816).
Admiral Pellew was the inspiration for C. S. Forester’s Hornblower character.
Church House Rocks Wreck Collection
The Church Rocks Wreck
The remains of a 16th-century Venetian vessel, which was found by Simon Burton whilst diving off the beach at Teignmouth in 1975.
This fascinating collection includes a cannon, a swivel gun, the original ship’s timbers, and several cannonballs.
Come and heft a cannonball...
Donald Crowhurst
Donald Crowhurst
The story of amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst’s ill-fated attempt at the 1968 Golden Globe Yacht Race when he mysteriously disappeared.
In the Shore Gallery
A fashionable seaside resort
Initially Teignmouth was a fashionable resort and retirement location for wealthy people and then, with the coming of the railway in 1846, middle and working class people were able to come and enjoy a seaside holiday in Teignmouth or Shaldon.
Teignmouth Sea Front 1916
We also have collections on:
Town life display
- photos, objects and newspaper cuttings telling the stories of local people during the Great War
- details and photos of the devastation in Teignmouth caused during World War II
- Isambard Kingdom Brunel and his railway
- the story of Haldon Aerodrome
- old Teignmouth pier machines
- the Ball Clay, taken down the River Teign for delivery far afield
- the Newfoundland Cod Trade
- the West Teignmouth Archive
- and more...
Come and see for yourself!
We also have booklets on:
Local history
A potted history of Teignmouth and Shaldon
Brunel's Teignmouth
The Railway
Haldon Aerodrome
Thomas Luny
Thomas Luny, marine artist
Newfoundland
Votes for Women
Votes for Women in Teignmouth and Shaldon
World War I
World War I in Teignmouth and Shaldon
The Riviera Cinema
The Church Rocks Wreck
St Nicholas Church
The last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst
If you would like to know more about any of these stories, you can buy a copy of our booklet in the Museum for £2.50, or contact us for a copy by post for £5.
Teign Heritage archives
You can access the archives in person (by appointment) or make a postal or email enquiry.
- original plans for many Morgan Giles vessels
- over 10,000 photos from the mid 19th Century onward
- old maps and prints of the local area
- local family information
- local newspaper archives
- meteorological data
