“ I have never before, in my long and eclectic career, been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as I experienced filming War Horse on Dartmoor.” Steven Spielberg.
Situated within a cobbled courtyard next door to the White Hart Hotel, Okehampton, the Museum of Dartmoor Life exhibits over three floors a vast collection of objects spanning 5,000 years of life on Dartmoor from the Bronze Age through to the mid-20th Century.Together with providing the Visitor Information Point for Okehampton, Northern Dartmoor and beyond, the museum is a busy place with a variety of activities going on.
The museum has plenty of events and exhibitions running throughout the season. There are a number of ‘Discovery Zones’ and trails to help children explore the museum at their own speed. A lift within the museum ensures that it is fully accessible to all. The museum also hosts workshops and activities for children. Please visit the Dartmoor Expirences section of the Visit Dartmoor website for details of bespoke walks, talks, and museum tour packages that can be arranged.
The museum is the perfect place to start your Dartmoor exploration. Find out about Truck-a-mucks, Tinning and Mining landscapes, Bronze Age huts and the military on Dartmoor. Displays include a reconstructed Bronze Age hut, Victorian Kitchens, Blacksmiths Forge, Wheelwright’s workshop as well as an introduction to farming on Dartmoor and other local industries.
Temporary exhibitions run throughout the year in the John Young gallery which are included in the admission fee. The museum also houses an extensive archive, enquiries are free of charge. Although donations are welcome.
The Victorian Pantry Tea Rooms located in the Museum Courtyard are the perfect start or end to your museum visit.
Admission comes with an annual card allowing free admission for the rest of the year.
Parking and access for wheelchair users, with a lift to all floors.
Shop
Restaurant/Cafe
Picnic Area
Disabled Access
Guide Dogs permitted
Toilets for Disabled Visitors