Up Close: Allhallows Museum, Honiton

Nub News paid a visit to Honiton's Allhallows Museum to speak to two of the volunteers and have a look around Honiton's oldest buildings.

The Allhallows Museum is located just next to St. Paul's Church, in a slightly tucked away position. However, it is worth seeking out as the museum is a treasure chest of beautiful lace, pottery and fascinating artifacts and memorabilia.

The building has a fascinating history. About 800 years ago, the town of Honiton was created by Lord of the Manor of Honiton, William de Redvers. He built a new town along the old Roman road and divided the land on either side of the road into long plots, which can still be seen today. The original homes were built out of wood and thatch, but they have been destroyed by various fires.

The Allhallows Museum started its life as a chapel after Honiton citizens obtained permission for a church in the centre of the town. Parts of the original building were damaged by fire and were neglected, but other parts of the building can be dated back to 1327.

The building was then part of Allhallows School, which eventually moved to Rousdon, near Lyme Regis, in 1938. During World War II it was dedicated as a First Aid Post, but it never needed to be used. The museum opened its doors to the public on November 13 1946.

Run entirely by volunteers

Working in the museum when Nub News visited were volunteers Geoff Broadhurst and Ruth Turton. Geoff has been giving up his time to work at the museum for over 20 years, whilst Ruth joined the team in April 2022. 

Geoff and Ruth are one of approximately 45 volunteers who keep the museum up and running. There are no paid members of staff – even the curator Margaret Lewis is a volunteer!

The museum receives no government or council funding, and it survives on donations, purchases in the shop and legacy gifts.

Ruth explained why enjoys volunteering at the museum: "I love giving people an insight into the lace. I get a real sense of achievement working here – knowing I have done something to help someone else."

Ruth was taught to make Honiton Lace by Pat Perryman, who is a famous Lacemaker, thirty years ago. She is currently working on an intricate piece of lace for a friend, and, such is the detail and complexity of Honiton Lace, she believes it will take approximately two years to complete.

She said: "I went to school in Ottery St. Mary primary school and then secondary school in Honiton. I moved away for a while but I've been back living in Feniton for 40 years. It's friendly here and you make good friends."

Although he lives in Feniton, Geoff is an active member of the Honiton community. He added: "I love meeting people. I spent my working life with people, and this is a way for me to carry on working with the general public. I volunteer in several places."

The Allhallows Museum specialises in Honiton Lace and pottery. They have a very large lace collection and have several rare pieces. For example, on display is Queen Victoria's mourning dress and a nightgown owned by Wallis Simpson.

Honiton Lace is a very fine hand-made made lace which has traditionally been made in the East Devon area. The lace is using very fine threads, and it cannot be made in a machine. It is very time consuming to make. One square centimetre could take five hours to produce.

Records show that Honiton Lace was being made in the early 17th Century and it has been largely a cottage industry, being made by the wives of labourers and local fisherman.

Honiton Lace was given a boost in 1839 when Queen Victoria ordered her wedding dress and veil to be made of Honiton Lace.

There is almost no Honiton Lace being made now because it would be too expensive

The collection at the Allhallows Museum is the most comprehensive collection of Honiton Lace in the world, and the skill is being passed on to this day with people attending weekly lacemaking classes.

The museum is looking for volunteers to help out – you can volunteer for just a few hours a month. You can find out more information here.