Attraction in Axminster

Axminster Heritage Centre
Thomas Whitty House
Silver Street

Axminster
Devon

EX13 5AH
Website
Click for phone

Write a review

The story of Axminster from pre-history and as a major crossroads on the Roman Fosse Way, a busy agricultural market town post its1210 charter and as an important brush making centre, notably for toothbrushes. Axminster’s world famous quality carpet making business was established by Thomas Whitty and ran from 1755 to 1835. See displays of spinning, dyeing, weaving, an original 18th century loom and a beautiful 1769 Whitty carpet, televised in Michael Portillo's Great British Railway Journeys.

See new displays each year relating to different community interests which complement the permanent exhibitions. Fittingly all this is housed in a factory Whitty built for his family business and which subsequently served the town as a court-house and a hospital.

Details

Months Open: Open Monday Easter until end of October.
Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 1pm
The Centre is closed on Sundays.
Groups/Parties Welcome: Yes - Please pre-book
Admission Price: FREE

More Attractions nearby

Shute Barton (2.75 miles)

Lyme Bay Cider Co. Ltd. (3.09 miles)

Burrow Farm Gardens (3.33 miles)

Dinosaurland (4.94 miles)

Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium and Cobb History (5.06 miles)

Today's best hotels deals

This page viewed on 3,914 occasions since Oct 16th 2005

Brit Quote:
A dirty joke is a sort of mental rebellion. - George Orwell
More Quotes

On this day:
Tolpuddle Martyrs Sentenced - 1834, Argentine Forces land on South Georgia - 1982
More dates from British history

click here to view all the British counties

County Pages