Burton at Bideford, museum in Torridge

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What is recorded here

The Burton at Bideford is an art gallery and museum in Bideford, Devon, England, established in 1951 by Hubert Coop RBA and Alderman Thomas Burton. They gifted the building to provide a cultural space for the town's residents and visitors. The Burton houses collections of local artists like Bertram Prance, Judith Ackland, and Mary Stella Edwards, as well as a 535-piece ceramics collection by R.J. Lloyd. It also features historical artifacts representing Bideford's history, including exhibits on the Bideford Witches, Sir Richard Grenville, Edward Capern, and Raleigh. The Burton has three exhibition spaces, a museum, craft gallery, shop, workshop, lecture area, tourist information desk, a French-style café, and a permanent gallery for North Devon Pottery. Notable exhibitions include Quentin Blake's designs for The BFG in 2017 and Beatrix Potter's works in Autumn 2018.

What this place is

An art gallery and museum in Bideford, Devon, England.

People and events

Established in 1951 by Hubert Coop RBA and Alderman Thomas Burton in memory of Burton's daughter Mary, a talented artist. The building was designed by architect Frank Whiting.

How it was used

Initially used as an art gallery to provide cultural education and enjoyment for the town's residents and visitors. It houses collections of local artists and historical artifacts representing Bideford's history.

What survives

The Burton building, collections of local artists, historical artifacts, a permanent gallery for North Devon Pottery, and various facilities like exhibition spaces, museum, craft gallery, shop, workshop, lecture area, tourist information desk, café, and more.

Why it mattered

Thomas Burton and Hubert Coop gave the gallery in memory of Burton's artist daughter Mary, explicitly for public enjoyment and education. Local pottery, paintings and Bideford objects remain beside visiting national work, keeping a memorial gift useful to the town rather than fixed as a single monument.