The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum

University of Exeter, The Old Library, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, DEVON, EX4 4SB

Tel: 01392 724321

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About

A museum dedicated to the audience's experience of the moving image.  Explore the visual culture from magic lanterns to Marilyn Monroe.

The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum is an ACE Accredited public museum dedicated to our experience of the moving image. Visitors can explore popular visual culture through exhibits of toys, artefacts, images and memorabilia from the seventeenth century to the present day.

It is home to one of the largest collections of material relating to the moving image in Britain. We are both an accredited public museum and an academic research facility and we hold a collection of over 75,000 items. Over 1,000 of our items are on display, and everyone is welcome to visit our galleries seven days a week (except bank holidays and between Christmas and New Year) and our research facilities are open to all each weekday.

Leading film critic Mark Kermode visited the museum in Summer 2017 and made this film about us for his 'KermodeUncut' video blog.

The internationally renowned collection ranges from shadow puppets to the golden age of Hollywood, from magic lanterns to Mickey Mouse, and from the first cameras to make films to merchandise from the latest blockbusters.

There is something for everyone to enjoy and we welcome individuals, families and groups.

The Centre is currently open Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm. Please see details of the re-opening here: https://www.bdcmuseum.org.uk/news/reopening-after-lockdown/

 

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Guide Prices

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Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.

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      Directions

      Road Directions

      From the A30 / A38 follow the signs from the city centre, once in the city centre then follow signs for the University. The Old Library is situated half way along Prince of Wales Road, adjacent to the University Chapel.

      Public Transport Directions

      Stagecoach Bus 'D' from Exeter city centre. 10 minutes walk from Exeter St David's train station - follow signs for the University.

      Facilities

      Other

      • Accept Children over 7

      Accessibility

      • All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
      • Guide Dogs Permitted
      • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
      • Ramp/Level Access
      • Toilets for Disabled Visitors

      Children & Infants

      • Accept Children Over 3

      Establishment Features

      • Toilets

      Event Facilities

      • Free Entry

      Key Features

      • Approx length of visit - 60 minutes.
      • Indoor Attraction
      • Max group size - 30
      • No Smoking Attraction

      Parking & Transport

      • Parking (charge)

      Tours and Demonstrations

      • Educational Visits Accepted
      • Guided Tours Available for Groups
      • Guided Tours Available for Individuals

      Venue Facilities

      • Groups Accepted - Essential to prebook.

      Opening Times

      Bill Douglas Centre for the History of Cinema and Popular Culture (1 Jan 2024 - 22 Dec 2024)
      DayTimes
      Monday - Friday10:00 - 17:00*
      Saturday - SundayClosed*

      * Closed Christmas, New Year and Bank Holidays. Re-opening 4th January 2021!

      Dates and times marked with a '*' are provisional and may be subject to change

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