Devon Archives and Libraries

Devon Heritage Centre
Devon Heritage Centre Great Moor House Bittern Road Sowton Exeter, Devon EX2 7NL UK Telephone: 01392 384253/384256 Email: [mailto:devrec@devon.gov.uk devrec@devon.gov.uk] Website: Devon Heritage Centre


 * There are three local archives covering the historic county of Devon, England. The Devon Heritage Centre in Exeter is the main archive. It has a branch office, the North Devon Record Office in Barnstaple (established in 1988), which is the repository for records broadly relating to North Devon. Since 2014 the joint service has been run by the South West Heritage Trust under the name of the Devon Archives and Local Studies Service.


 * In addition, there is the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office in Plymouth, run since 1998 as an independent archive service by Plymouth City Council, which hold records relevant to the area indicated by its name. This archive is planned to move into the new Plymouth History Centre in spring 2020.

North Devon Record Office
North Devon Record Office Barnstaple Library Tuly Street Barnstaple, Devon EX31 1EL UK Telephone: 01271 318792 ​Email: [mailto:northdevon@swheritage.org.uk northdevon@swheritage.org.uk] Website: North Devon Record Office

Plymouth and West Devon Record Office
Plymouth and West Devon Record Office Unit 3 Clare Place Plymouth, Devon PL4 0JW UK Telephone: 1752 305940 Website: Plymouth and West Devon Record Office

The Charles Seale-Hayne Library
The Charles Seale-Hayne Library Plymouth University Drake Circus Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA UK Telephone: 1752 600600 Website: Charles Seale-Hayne Library


 * The Charles Seale-Hayne Library is open 24/7 and provides access to approximately 350,000 books and multimedia items, 14,000 current journal subscriptions, and a variety of different study environments. In one central location there are the resources you need to carry out research (books, journals, electronic resources), to present your work (computers, printers, photocopiers, loan equipment, shop) and experienced, friendly staff to help you.

Plymouth Central Library Local and Family History
Plymouth Central Library Local and Family History 167 to 171 Armada Way Plymouth, Devon PL1 1HZ UK Telephone: 1752 588588 Email: [mailto:library@plymouth.gov.uk library@plymouth.gov.uk] Website: Local and Family History

University of Exeter Library
University of Exeter Library Stocker Rd Exeter, Devon EX4 4PT UK Telephone: 1392 723867 Website: Library Catalogue Search

Royal Albert Memorial Museum
Royal Albert Memorial Museum Queen St Exeter, Devon EX4 3RX, UK Telephone: 1392 265858 Website: Royal Albert Memorial Museum


 * Exeter’s world-class museum has stunning displays and galleries, fabulous exhibitions and modern amenities. The displays reveal Devon and Exeter’s rich history and global connections. Exotic animals, birds and insects delight children and the World Cultures galleries display stunning items from all over the world.

Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life
Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life Beck's Square Tiverton, Devon EX16 6PJ, UK Telephone: 1884 256295 Email: [mailto:tivertontic@tivertonmuseum.org.uk tivertontic@tivertonmuseum.org.uk] Website: Tiverton Museum


 * Explore the museum’s large, outstanding collections and trace the fascinating history of Mid Devon. The displays include the ‘Tivvy Bumper’ GWR steam engine, local industries (particularly lace making), farm waggons and the history of agriculture, and the every day home life of Mid Devon folk.

For a long list of Devon museums, go to List of museums in Devon in Wikipedia.