The Heritage Centre situated at Queen Anne's Walk, The Strand, consists of a large fixed exhibition on the rich history of Barnstaple and takes visitors through the major periods using a variety of hands-on activities, computer touch screens, text and graphics panels, reconstruction's and audio-visual presentation.
Using great Barnstaple characters and portraying momentous events. The exhibition tells the evolving story of how today's regional capital town developed, how her people lived and worked and what events shaped her over the centuries. Special sections include a mock-up of a civil war trench and the reconstructed interior of a merchant ships cargo hold. All this and much more await the intrepid visitor!

Visitors can interact with Geraldus Tinctor, mayor of Barnstaple in 1327 and the Elizabethan Town Clerk, Adam Wyatt (who's diary has been used for the book "Lost Chronicle of Barnstaple", a book that is on sale as a limited edition in the Heritage Centre shop). Local people with their distinct local accent have been used for most of the audio-exhibits and the whole centre has a very local flavour which adds to its appeal.

All ages can find something to engage their senses of intrigue, curiosity and fun in the exhibition and both locals and visitors alike will surely discover a wealth of secrets about this ancient town to help bring the past to life for them.