Lynton museum awarded more than £450k for urgent repairs

A museum in Devon has been awarded a grant to carry out essential repairs.

The Arts Council England awarded £459,052 to Lyn and Exmoor Museum in Lynton to fund a renovation of the 300-year-old property.

Trustee John Atherton said the building was in a "desperate state of repair" and exhibits were in "real danger of deteriorating".

The museum has collections of agricultural and domestic tools from across Lynton and Exmoor.

It also features maritime, railway and natural history.

Mr Atherton said the museum would close for all of 2025 while repairs are carried out, with work to include the instillation of heating and a disabled ramp.

"Damp is getting into the building from various areas including the floors and walls," he said.

"We need to do some fairly urgent repairs to stop the damp penetration.

"We need to do a total renovation, but at the same time we don't want to lose the character of what is an important building locally and the museum."

He said the building likely would not survive another 20 years if repairs were not carried out.

"The museum would go into decay and the building would get worse," he said.

"We are extremely grateful to the arts council for its kindness and support."

Follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].