Mother’s Day Is Special In More Ways Than One!

Mother’s Day is an extra special event at Topsham Museum this year - it’s not just a

celebration for Mum but also the launch of a new kitchen at the popular destination.

The Museum is run entirely by volunteers and attracts some 10,000 visitors a year, many of them stopping off at its traditional tea room and garden on Topsham’s Strand.

Tea at the Museum has long been a favourite on Mother’s Day, and this year on March 10 the treats will include sandwiches, cakes, scones and other goodies - all locally sourced and served for the first time from the venue’s refurbished kitchen.

Work to modernise the area was completed over the winter and Stevie Barrett - who has been leading a 30-strong crew of kitchen volunteers for five years - says the new layout is needed to keep up with demand, and provide a safer and more efficient workspace for her team.

“It’s going to be a great improvement for customers and volunteers. We now have four workstations and it’s going to be more efficient for everyone” she says.

The tea room is open for two and a half hours a day, five days a week during the Museum’s seven month season. During that time it generates fantastic business and is a vital source of funds for the Museum which relies entirely on contributions, the tea room and shop for its income.

In the past year Stevie’s team has served some 3,000 scones, with the busiest days seeing 300 people enjoying the refreshments as well as the Museum’s exhibition and collections.

This year’s Mother’s Day Tea on March 10 has two sittings - 3pm and 4.30pm - and the Museum shop will be open too, with a preview of new items on sale for the 2024 season. The full tea costs

£16 for adults and £9 for children aged up to 10.

Places are limited so it’s vital to book online via Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mothers-day-afternoon-tea-2024-tickets-812958449607?aff=oddtdtcreator )

The full Museum reopens for visitors from March 27, just in time for the Easter weekend; from that date onwards its opening hours will be Wednesdays to Sundays (and Bank Holiday Mondays) from 2pm, with last entry at 4.30pm.