Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter

Museum in Exeter

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Irid Escent

Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery in Exeter, England, is the city's main museum, set on Queen Street a short walk from the centre. RAMM combines history, art, natural history and world cultures across a series of galleries in a restored museum building.

Visitors come for the free admission, the range of displays and the way the galleries move between Exeter’s past and wider themes in science, travel and collecting. You might spend an hour on a quick look round or longer if a temporary exhibition catches your attention. It works well for families, museum regulars and anyone wanting an indoor stop between trains or city-centre plans.

History and Significance of the RAMM
Things to See and Do in the RAMM
How to Get to the RAMM
Practical Tips on Visiting the RAMM
Where to Stay close to the RAMM
Is the RAMM Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting the RAMM

History and Significance of the RAMM

The museum was founded in the late 19th century during a period of civic pride and educational growth in Exeter. Named in honour of Prince Albert, the RAMM became a centre for learning and cultural exchange, with collections built through exploration, scientific study and archaeological work across Devon and beyond.

By the early 2000s, the museum required major restoration. The award-winning refurbishment not only restored the building’s Victorian architecture but also reshaped its interior into a contemporary museum space. When it reopened in 2011, the RAMM was praised nationally for its accessibility, design and curatorial approach.

Today it stands as Exeter's leading cultural institution and one of the must-see places in Exeter for visitors wanting to understand both local heritage and global stories.

Things to See and Do in the RAMM

The museum's galleries are beautifully arranged to encourage exploration. You can encounter ancient Roman Exeter, local Devon wildlife, world cultures, historic textiles and global archaeology all within one visit. Interactive displays and multimedia presentations bring objects to life, from fossil collections to world-spanning artefacts.

The RAMM’s art galleries highlight European paintings, contemporary works and special temporary exhibitions. Travelling shows from major institutions frequently arrive here, ensuring something new on each visit.

Families appreciate the hands-on learning stations, activity trails and frequent workshops for children. The museum café and gift shop provide relaxing spaces to pause between galleries.

How to Get to the RAMM

The nearest major airport is Exeter Airport, located a short drive from the city centre. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Exeter on Booking.com.

Exeter St David's and Exeter Central stations provide excellent rail connections to the city, and the museum is an easy walk from Exeter Central. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

Visitors arriving by car will find several public car parks in central Exeter, with short walks leading to the museum entrance.

Practical Tips on Visiting the RAMM

Best time to visit the RAMM: Weekdays or early mornings for quieter galleries.
Entrance fee in Euros: Free entry, with charges for some special exhibitions.
Opening hours: Usually open Tuesday to Sunday; check current times.
Official website: RAMM Exeter for exhibitions and updates.
How long to spend: 1-2 hours, longer if exploring temporary exhibitions.
Accessibility: Excellent; lifts, ramps and accessible facilities provided.
Facilities: Café, shop, toilets, educational rooms and event spaces.
Photography tip: The Victorian architecture of the central atrium makes a great shot.
Guided tours: Occasional tours and curator talks available.
Nearby food options: Numerous cafés and restaurants throughout central Exeter.

Where to Stay close to the RAMM

The museum’s central location means several hotels are within easy walking distance. For a stylish and comfortable base, consider Hotel du Vin Exeter. A convenient option near major transport links is Leonardo Hotel Exeter. For a touch of classic city charm, try Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel.

Is the RAMM Worth Visiting?

Yes, the RAMM is absolutely worth visiting. With its world-class collections, engaging displays, free entry and welcoming atmosphere, it offers one of the richest cultural experiences in Exeter. Whether you love natural history, world cultures, archaeology or art, the RAMM delivers an exceptional museum experience.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (4,096)

Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery on Queen St, Exeter, sits in an ornate Victorian Gothic Revival building and offers diverse collections from art and natural history to anthropology and local industry; entry is free, the layout flows between rooms and there are frequent temporary exhibitions, a detailed model of Exeter, taxidermy displays and galleries covering topics like manufacturing and railways. Visitors praise friendly, knowledgeable staff and volunteers, useful lockers for bags and a café (opinions vary on pricing), and say you can easily spend a few minutes or half a day exploring the well-run museum just a short walk from Exeter Central station.

Madhu Ch

5 months ago

"The renovation work done on the museum was well worth the time and effort and there are lots of well thought through additions. The museum is vast soyou could spend hours there but, as entry is free, I quite often just pop in to spend a few minutes in a lunch break or when waiting for the train (it is just next to Exeter Central Station). It is worth noting that there are lockers at the museum where you can leave your belongings while you walk round which is great for those who are passing by and perhaps have more bags etc that they would like! There is a wonderful model of Exeter within the museum which is so interesting to see and the taxidermy (although it might not be everyone's cup of tea) is also a big draw. The museum often has really wonderful exhibitions such as the BBC wildlife photographer of the year so there is always something new to see. I haven't eaten in the cafe there but have heard good things. Everything in the museum seems to have some sort of link to Exeter (however tenuous) & just gives a feeling of being there for the people. It was friendly & relaxed & the information is suitable for the younger/casual interest & also anyone who wants to read more about something. It's laid out in such a way that most of the rooms & exhibits 'flow' & co ect together. You could probably spend half a day there (we ran out of time). However, the reviewers who've said the café is reasonably priced, probably come from a more expensive area than Exeter (personally we thought £6+ for a ciabatta & a bit of salad is fairly steep)..."

See More See Less

karinamJ3965PM

2 weeks ago

"This museum is so child friendly and full of lots of engaging and interesting exhibits. We stayed (2 adults and 2 boys aged 6 and 3) for approx2.5hrs, but could have spent longer looking around. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful and the cafe is good. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area...."

See More See Less

Niall Gavigan

4 months ago

"The staff are definitely the best thing about this place. The volunteers show a genuine interest in the exhibits and are very helpful. There's reallylots to see in this museum, even if it is a bit like most other museums. Plenty of vases on display. All in all it's quite well run and well worth dropping in...."

See More See Less

DordogneAnglais

a month ago

"I visit a lot of museums, and as I was in Exeter for the first time, had to visit RAMM, especially as it was free and within walking distance.Essentially, it consists of two floors - the ground floor of local interest, throughout the ages, and the upstairs, which pertains to the rest of the world, and is something of a hotchpotch of exhibits, many of which seem to have been collected in Victorian times. I very much enjoyed the downstairs, with exhibits from prehistoric times, the Roman times through to mediaeval and WW2. They were well displayed and arranged chronologically. The upstairs contained a few Greek, Egyptian items, lots of natural history Victorian samples, a great collection of North American/Native American pieces, some Japanese, Asian, African items, then lastly, lots of taxidermy which I don't much enjoy, even if it probably is my only chance to ever see a hoatzin or a kakapo. The giraffe, the elephant, the moose, the eland, and especially the tiger, all made me feel rather sad, and seemed uncomfortably displayed alongside unrelated items. I suppose they are educational, especially the butterflies and other bugs, it'd be a shame to dispose of them, and I guess younger visitors will find them fascinating, but personally, they're not my favourite thing to see on a day out. The building itself is lovely, and so is the shop, both reminiscent of London's V&A. If you're in Exeter, this museum really is a must see...."

See More See Less

Ultimate Squid Gaming

6 months ago

"Awesome museum with free entry. This museum covers not just the natural history of the local area but also an extremely wide range of differentexhibitions! A must see if you're staying in Exeter or the surrounding area. I visited twice in one week!..."

See More See Less

sidifni

a month ago

"Wonderful museum. Nice cafe and fascinating objects. A really top class museum."

FAQs for Visiting the RAMM

The museum holds nearly one million artefacts across multiple disciplines.

Yes, general admission is free.

Yes, including workshops, trails and family-friendly galleries.

Yes, with rotating national and international displays.

Yes, along with a well-stocked gift shop.

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Exeter!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

Read our full story here

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!