Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life
Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life is a local history museum in Tiverton, Devon, England, to the southwest of Gotham House. It features various exhibits relating to the social and economic history of the Mid Devon region, one of the most popular being a steam locomotive known as the "Tivvy Bumper".
The museum was founded in 1954 by a group of local people who were concerned that the history of Mid Devon was being lost. The museum's collection has grown over the years and now includes over 20,000 objects, including photographs, documents, textiles, tools, and machinery.
The museum's galleries tell the story of Mid Devon from prehistoric times to the present day. Visitors can learn about the region's wool trade, lacemaking industry, agriculture, and transportation. There are also exhibits on local customs and traditions, as well as the region's role in World War II.
One of the museum's most popular exhibits is the "Tivvy Bumper", a Great Western Railway steam locomotive that was built in 1936. The locomotive is on display in the museum's transport gallery, and visitors can climb into the cab and learn about how it worked.
Tiverton Museum is a popular attraction for visitors of all ages. The museum offers a variety of educational activities and programs for children, and it is also a popular venue for conferences, events, and weddings.
Here are some of the things you can see and do at Tiverton Museum:
See the "Tivvy Bumper", a Great Western Railway steam locomotive
Learn about the region's wool trade, lacemaking industry, agriculture, and transportation
Discover local customs and traditions
See the region's role in World War II
Participate in educational activities and programs for children
Attend a conference or event
Tiverton Museum is a great place to learn about the history and culture of Mid Devon. It is a must-visit for anyone interested in local history, steam locomotives, or simply having a fun and educational day out.
Address
Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life, Beck’s Square, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 6PJ
Historic Categorisations and Statutes
Statutory Heritage Listing
Grade: II (Grade Two). This designation identifies the building as a nationally important structure of special interest.
List Entry Number: 1384725
Date First Listed: February 12, 1952
Significance: Protected as a well-preserved example of a mid-19th-century educational building. The architecture features local stone rubble with distinctive dressings and a layout typical of the "National School" movement, which aimed to provide large-scale education for the poor.
Local Designations
Tiverton Conservation Area: The museum is a central cultural asset within the Tiverton Conservation Area, situated just behind the main commercial district of Fore Street.
Beck’s Square Landmark: The building defines the character of Beck’s Square, an area developed in the 1840s by the Beck family of local builders on the former gardens of a prominent town house.
Site Components & Heritage Records
The National School Building: The primary Victorian structure characterized by its high ceilings and large windows, designed to maximize light for students.
The Authers Gallery: A modern extension purposefully constructed around the "Tivvy Bumper" steam locomotive to protect it from the elements.
Historic Environment Record (HER): Indexed in the Devon & Dartmoor HER under ID MDV13098 (referencing the former National School).
Chronology of Historic Uses
1841–1843: Constructed as a "National School" (an Anglican elementary school) on land formerly belonging to the Dickinson family.
1840s–1960s: Operated as a school for the children of Tiverton's working-class families for over a century.
1969: The building was purchased for £6,000 (with support from Lord Amory) to house the expanding collections of the Tiverton Museum, which had outgrown its previous homes at the Old Bell Inn and Chilcot School.
1978: The "Tivvy Bumper" steam engine was moved to the site from its previous outdoor plinth on Blundell's Road.
Current/Recent: Functions as the primary museum for Mid Devon, housing one of the largest social history collections in the West Country across 14 galleries.
Useful Links
Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life (Opens in new window) Provides the following information and resources for visitors:
Major Exhibits
Visitor Essentials
Family & Children’s Activities
Events & Workshops
Accessibility & Inclusion
Tourist Information
Digital Resources
