The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon and its Development Trust have received initial support* from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its Potted History project it was announced today. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project aims to progress the post-excavation analysis of at least fourteen archaeological digs undertaken in Barnstaple during the 1970s and 1980s, firmly placing Barnstaple on the archaeological map.
Development funding has been awarded by the Heritage Fund to help The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon and its Development Trust progress their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant at a later date. Additional funding to support the project has also provided by North Devon Council and Devon County Council among others.
Significant finds date from the 12th century through to the early modern period, and include three 17th century pottery kilns in which the ceramic pots were fired that established North Devon’s early trade relations with the Americas.
The Potted History project will deal with a large backlog of archaeological finds, which are currently housed in Museum stores. The aim is to digitise and publish a vast collection of material including the physical finds themselves alongside paper documents and photographs. The project will provide opportunities for volunteering, skills training and community engagement to increase public interest in our region’s pottery heritage. It will also provide hands-on opportunities – particularly for young people – to try out traditional North Devon pottery making skills.
A post-excavation archaeologist will be appointed as part of the first phase of the project to conduct a nine-month pilot alongside a team of volunteers. They will develop training programmes in post-excavation techniques and develop procedures for processing large quantities of finds, especially pottery. A detailed report on the Barnstaple Library site excavations will be published together with a detailed three-year plan. In addition, a further funding bid will be made to deal with the remainder of the excavations, fundraising for which is already underway.
The Potted History is not only of local and national significance but is of great interest to those working with ceramic finds overseas too. Large quantities of North Devon pots were extensively traded to Wales and Ireland, and even to the emerging colonies in the USA and Canada where fragments are frequently found in archaeological excavations.
Alison Mills, Director of the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon said; “The amazing archaeological discoveries in Barnstaple in the 1970s and 1980s have been waiting to be analysed and published for decades. We are thrilled to have received this initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players we can now develop our plans to share Barnstaple’s potted history with local people and a worldwide audience.”
Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re delighted to offer our initial support to the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon. This project will uncover and share the region’s rich archaeological heritage and shine a light on Barnstaple’s fascinating past, offering new opportunities for learning, volunteering, and community engagement. We look forward to working with the team to progress their plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.”
The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon invites anyone interested in finding out more about the project or joining the team of volunteers to get in touch. Donations to support the project are welcome via the Museum website, https://barnstaplemuseum.org.uk/support-us.
An overview of the Potted History project is included as part of the Museum’s current exhibition, Digging Deeper: Celebrating the work of volunteers in North Devon’s archaeology. The exhibition has been co-curated with the North Devon Archaeological Society (NDAS) supported by volunteers from the Exmoor Society, staff from Devon County Council, Exmoor National Park, and the North Devon Coast National Landscape. The exhibition is open until Saturday 4 October 2025. Admission is free. For further details, visit barnstaplemuseum.org.uk.