New-look Sidmouth Museum open its doors again

Sidmouth Museum is to reopen today (Monday, June 21), following a reorganisation that's created extra space for social distancing and a one-way system.

There are also new and improved displays, and quizzes for younger visitors.

Last year the Sid Vale Association, which runs the museum, was pessimistic about the prospect of opening under Covid restrictions, because the building didn't seem spacious enough.

But now the museum's curator, Ann Tanner, says that's all changed and they're looking forward to welcoming visitors again.

She said: "We got rid of some very big pieces of furniture, and literally rearranged everything.

"We had this enormous box with loads of photographs in it - it had been there since about 1980.

"Over the winter we were lucky to get a grant from South West Museums and we digitised the history of Sidmouth, and it's really excellent to look at – so that got rid of one very large piece of furniture that was in the way."

Two other enormous cabinets containing geological specimens from other parts of the world have gone to a museum in Bournemouth, freeing up more space.

Better for people with disabilities

Ann said the reorganisation has also made the museum much more suitable for people with mobility problems.

"Because disabled people can't get up our small stairs we've opened up the ground floor massively, and made it a much better place for a disabled person or someone who finds it difficult to walk without an aid.

"There's much, much more for them to see – we've got a big new Jurassic Coast display on the ground floor - the space we've made is absolutely incredible."

For younger visitors, there are three different quizzes for different age groups, with participants finding clues around the museum and answering questions.

Ann added that the museum has also recruited several new and very keen volunteers, boosting staffing levels.

It means there will be three stewards on duty at all times when the museum is open to visitors.

Ann said: "We started steward training last week, and Monday was the first time we'd seen a large group of people moving around, to check our one-way system upstairs. And suddenly you see the light and how you're going to get through this."

The museum is open 10am until 4pm Monday to Saturday, closed on Sundays.

Admission charge £2.50 for adults.