Name: Bill Douglas Centre - History of Cinema
Rating: 5.0

Bill Douglas Centre - History of Cinema

Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, UK

1-99 Years

Website

Contact

Message

Description

The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum if you are looking for the best things to do with kids in Exeter, The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum offers a deep dive into the history of moving images. As the UK’s premier museum dedicated to the history of cinema and pre-cinema, this facility houses an incredible collection that spans over four centuries of entertainment.

Entry to the museum is free for all visitors. This makes it an accessible, budget-friendly destination for families and students interested in visual media.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, this museum provides a unique educational experience. It is a perfect spot for those who want to see the evolution of film from simple optical toys to the blockbusters of today.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Educational Day Out: Explore the origins of visual storytelling and the technology that paved the way for modern cinema.
Interactive History: Discover how Victorian audiences were entertained through optical illusions and early projection devices.
Academic Heritage: Access a world-class collection curated by the University of Exeter, perfect for young film enthusiasts.
Inclusive Access: The museum is open to the public, providing an engaging environment for both casual visitors and aspiring filmmakers.

What to See

Optical Toys: View early devices like zoetropes and praxinoscopes that create the illusion of movement.
Shadow Puppets: See traditional puppets that formed part of pre-cinema entertainment around the world.
Magic Lanterns: Discover the projection devices that were the "cinema" of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Star Memorabilia: Look at items from the early days of Hollywood, including posters and photographs of silent film legends.
Film Technology: Get up close with early cameras and projectors that defined the development of professional filmmaking.

Facilities

Toilets: Accessible facilities are available within the Old Library building where the museum is housed.
Accessibility: The museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users, with lift access to all exhibition areas.
Buggy Parking: Designated spaces are available for pushchairs near the main entrance.
Food Options: No on-site cafe, but the university campus features several coffee shops and eateries within a short walking distance.

Pro-Tips for Families

Campus Navigation: Allow extra time to navigate the university campus, as the museum is tucked within the Old Library building.
Group Visits: Contact the museum in advance if you are bringing a school group to ensure you can be accommodated effectively.
Combine Your Visit: Plan your trip for a weekday to combine it with a walk around the university gardens or a visit to Exeter city centre.

Targeted FAQs

Is the museum worth it for toddlers? The museum is best suited for older children who are interested in history or filmmaking, as the exhibits are primarily items in display cases rather than interactive play areas for toddlers.
How long does a visit take? Most visitors find that one to two hours is the perfect amount of time to browse the extensive collection and appreciate the various exhibits at a relaxed pace.
Where is the best place to park? Visitors can use the pay-and-display car parks provided on the University of Exeter campus; signage is available throughout the site to guide you to the Old Library building.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

The vast, eclectic collection is visually stimulating for children interested in how things work.
The staff are highly knowledgeable and passionate about cinema history.
Being a free attraction makes it an excellent choice for a family afternoon that doesn't break the bank.

What Visitors Don't Like

The location on a university campus can be slightly confusing for first-time visitors.
Younger children may find the museum lacks "hands-on" active play areas, as it is primarily a viewing-focused collection.

What to see

Detailed Inventory

The museum collection contains over 85,000 items, including:
The Zoetrope: 19th-century animation devices.
Magic Lantern Slides: Hand-painted glass slides used for storytelling.
Silent Film Posters: Original promotional material from the 1920s.
Camera Obscura models: Early devices used for drawing and observing light.
Personal Scrapbooks: Collections belonging to early cinema stars.
Stereoscopic Viewers: 3D viewing devices from the Victorian era.
Film Scripts: Rare drafts from early cinematic productions.
Toy Theatres: Paper-based home entertainment kits.
Pre-cinema broadsides: Advertisements for travelling shows.
Autographed Photographs: Signed portraits of iconic performers.

Beyond the Main Attraction

The museum is located on the Streatham Campus of the University of Exeter:
University Grounds: Enjoy a walk through the landscaped gardens and arboretum surrounding the museum.
Exeter City Centre: A short bus ride or walk leads to the historic Quayside and Exeter Cathedral.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM): Another major cultural site in Exeter for those interested in natural history and archaeology.

New for 2026

The museum frequently rotates its displays to highlight different parts of its extensive archive. Visitors can check the main museum website for updates on temporary exhibitions focusing on the development of digital animation and its roots in traditional optical media. New for 2026, the museum features:
From Illusion to Animation: A special focus on the transition from Victorian optical toys to modern computer-generated imagery (CGI).
Archive Spotlights: Rotating showcases that bring rarely seen items from the museum's collection of 85,000 artefacts into the main gallery space.
Interactive Media Displays: Enhanced exhibit descriptions that explain how the basic principles of motion discovered in the 1800s still underpin today's digital animation technology.
Curated Film History Trails: New self-guided pathways through the museum that specifically connect historical animation techniques to their contemporary digital successors.

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

The museum does not currently offer commercial birthday party packages. For information on educational group visits, please contact the museum team via email.

Inquiry Email: [email protected]

The museum galleries are open every day between 10am -5pm (except between Christmas and New Year).

Address: Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, UK

Post Code: EX4 4SB

Council: Exeter

County: Devon

By Car: To visit The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, follow the signs for the city centre from A30/A38/M5 and then follow signs for the University. The Old Library is situated half way along Prince of Wales Road, adjacent to the University Chapel. You will see a large sign for the museum by a turning circle - follow the signs up the hill.
By Bus: The new Number 4 bus service runs at regular intervals between the University and the city centre and the timetable is here; if travelling from the city centre get off the bus by the Queen's Building and walk down the hill past the chapel and you will find the Old Library building in which we are housed.
By Train: The University is just a short walk of about 15 minutes from both Exeter St David's (though this is uphill) and Exeter Central Stations. You can catch the 4 bus from outside St.David's Station.
Parking: Pay and display parking is available along Prince of Wales Road but please be aware that spaces can be limited during term-time. Disabled badge users only can park outside the Old Library building from Monday to Friday. At weekends parking may be possible outside the building.