Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter

Redesigned galleries, greatly improved access, and inspired presentation, display and interpretation have created a museum of huge regional significance that provides an insight into the rich, natural and cultural heritage of the south west of England. 

Since it re-opened, local people have taken the museum to their heart and it has continued to attract record numbers of visitors. It has also attracted a growing number of accolades: 

• Museum of the Year in 2012
• its World Cultures collection is recognised by the Arts Council as being of UK-wide and international significance
• it has the seal of approval from the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service
• its café won gold in a regional hospitality and retail award 2013

Described as the Home of a Million Thoughts, RAMM encourages visitors and communities to engage with its collections, working with local people to devise bespoke activities in such topics as artistic workshops, culture cafes, family projects, discussions, story-telling and object-handling sessions.

Architectural writer and TV presenter Dan Cruikshank has described RAMM as: “An exquisite jewel box of a building; a Venetian casket. One of the most appealing treasures in Britain.”

Chair of the Museum of the Year judges in 2012 Lord Smith of Finsbury commented: “The new Royal Albert Memorial Museum is quite simply a magical place.”