St. Barbe Museum and Art Gallery is an independent museum and registered charity that offers unique insights into the local history of the New Forest coast, for visitors to the area and local residents. It is popular with families and runs lots of activities for all ages, including drop-in family events, workshops, tours and lectures.

St. Barbe art exhibitions bring works of national and international significance to Lymington, and display the best of local art with a changing programme throughout the year. As you explore the museum, friendly and knowledgeable volunteers are on hand to provide you with useful information about exhibitions and the stories told there. St. Barbe is very much run by the community for the community and many of its volunteers perform tasks which are vital to its day to day existence.

As most volunteers are local to the area, St. Barbe also offers a visitor information service to help you to explore the town and surrounding area. If you are undertaking local history research, you can make an appointment to access its extensive local history resources, or lodge an enquiry with our excellent team of volunteer researchers.

Become a Friend of St. Barbe and you'll have access to a host of terrific benefits, including free admission and invitations to a varied programme of talks and events.

Once you've been round St. Barbe and enjoyed everything it has to offer why not relax in the on-site coffee shop or treat yourself to a present from the gift shop where you will find lots of local and unique gifts.

Some amazing changes are coming soon to St Barbe, as they have received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a £2 million major upgrade of facilities. Improvements will include a new, superb range of interactive museum displays, an eye-catching new entrance to the building, and a public archive facility. The new archive will offer improved access by the public to local history collections, particularly material originally held by eminent local historians, Edward King and Arthur Lloyd.

The improvements will also ensure that more historical objects can be displayed, and a changing programme of new displays in the museum will unveil new stories throughout the year for you to enjoy. Meanwhile the Art Gallery will continue to show national standard exhibitions.

The old school building will also be re-designed internally to make good use of all the space available, the shop will be improved and an attractive cafe area will be established. It will turn what is already a great day out into an essential visit for anyone visiting Lymington or the New Forest.

The Museum is developing its ideas and is actively fundraising to progress its grand plans over the next two years.

Take a look at the website, or call St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery on 01590 690214 to find out more about this wonderful venue for yourself - and make sure you visit soon!