Bridport Museum

Bridport Museum sits in a 16th-century building called the Castle on South Street. The building has been listed since 1950. Captain Alfred Percy Codd bought the Castle in 1931 for £1,800. He gave it to Bridport Borough Council to turn into a museum and art gallery. The museum opened in May 1932 with Codd’s own paintings on display. West Dorset District Council took over in 1974. The Bridport Museum Trust later managed the site from 2002. The museum closed in 2016 for a £1.3 million redevelopment. Funds came from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Bridport Town Council, West Dorset District Council and public donations. It reopened in May 2017 with new galleries and displays. Repair work was carried out on the building during this time. The museum now holds collections that reflect Bridport’s past and local art. Visitors find rooms filled with objects and artworks from the town’s history. New displays tell stories of Bridport’s people and industries. The building itself shows signs of its age, with original features preserved. South Street outside offers a quiet spot to pause after exploring. The museum’s setting adds to the sense of stepping back in time.