The building housing the museum has a very interesting history. It is the oldest building in Honiton and started its life as part of a chapel. It became a school before it became a museum. The building dates from before 1327 and was built when the folk from the 'new town' got tired of climbing the hill to St. Michael's. They got permission for a chapel in the centre of town and called it All Saints or Allhallows. The first gallery is the chancel of the chapel, which was shortened last century to make room for St. Paul's, which is just outside.

About 500 years ago we know that there was a school meeting in the chapel. Allhallows School probably started like many others when the priest wanted choirboys who could sing in Latin. The priest himself would teach them to read and write so that they could sing the hymns and psalms.

In 1836, when the building was shortened, it became the schoolroom and also the dining room until other rooms and buildings were added as the school expanded. The first room was furnished as the school chapel and was in use by Allhallows School until 1938 when the school moved away from the town.

Fifty years ago the chapel was bought by the townspeople and opened as a museum. The museum has three galleries, the Murch Gallery, the Nicol Gallery and the Norman Gallery.

The two world wars affected the town with its air raids, gas masks and rationing. The death of Joe, the brother of President Kennedy is remembered here. He disappeared from the local aerodrome, the first of a line of tragic Kennedys.

The Murch Gallery

Displays in this gallery give an insight into Honiton's history.

The bones of the Honiton Hippos, the earliest known inhabitants of the area, date back to 100,000 years and were discovered when the bypass was built in the 1960s. 

One display is devoted to pottery which has been made in Honiton for centuries, particularly by Charles Collard, a noted art potter.

A very popular exhibit is the beautiful  christening gown which was made by twenty seven lacemakers for the new Millennium

The balcony at the east end of this gallery displays momentos from both World Wars.

There is a small sales counter with postcards, books, lace bobbins and other souvenirs from Honiton.

The Nichol Gallery

In the town famous for lace-making Allhallows Museum has one of the most comprehensive collections of Honiton Lace in the world.  

Lace-making demonstrations are given daily by volunteers throughout the months of June, July and August. 

One display shows a selection of fine lace from the  Spriggs collection.

The Victorian dolls house was made around 1840 and stands over three feet high. It has six rooms, all fully furnished with contemporary furniture, original wallpaper, paintwork, wall ornaments and hand worked petit - point carpets. 

Displayed in the  Children's corner are some examples of the work done by local children after visits to the Museum.   

The volunteers at Allhallows Museum Society work to preserve the heritage of the people of Honiton and its surrounding district. They collect, conserve and display items which show how our ancestors used to live.

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