South West Heritage Trust

• What it is: an independent charity for Somerset, Devon and the South West; a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee
• Founded: 2014, bringing together services previously run by Somerset Council and Devon County Council
• In Devon: the Devon Heritage Centre (Devon Archives and Local Studies, Exeter) and the North Devon Record Office, Barnstaple
• Elsewhere: the Somerset Heritage Centre (Taunton), the Museum of Somerset, the Somerset Rural Life Museum, the Somerset Brick and Tile Museum and Avalon Archaeology
• Registered office: Somerset Heritage Centre, Brunel Way, Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton TA2 6SF

The South West Heritage Trust describes its purpose as “protecting and celebrating our rich heritage”. It was set up as an independent charity in 2014 and is still funded mainly by Somerset Council and Devon County Council, with Arts Council England and other partners. Its museums hold more than three million objects, and its archive and local studies centres in Taunton, Exeter and Barnstaple hold about ten million archives, from the eighth century to the present, and more than 350,000 printed reference works. It also gives planning advice on Somerset's archaeology and built heritage, cares for more than 400 acres of historic landscape and runs school workshops.

For Dartmoor research the useful part is the Devon end. The Devon Heritage Centre holds the county's archives, and the Trust publishes its catalogues online:

• Devon Archive Catalogue: records held at the Devon Heritage Centre and the North Devon Record Office.
• Devon and Somerset Local Studies Catalogue: books, pamphlets, maps, journal articles and illustrations held at its heritage centres.
• Collections Explorer: museum collections from across the South West, including the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter.
• Somerset Archive Catalogue and the Somerset Historic Environment Record cover Somerset only.

The Devon Heritage Centre opens on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in two bookable sessions, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm, with a limit of ten people a session, and the Trust recommends booking ahead; see its visiting page for the current arrangements.

Sources: South West Heritage Trust, home page | About us | Online research resources.