General Information

‘Fantastic Museum, friendly staff and volunteers, and lots for the children to do. Great fun’

Located at the heart of the beautiful town of Lymington, St Barbe is a dynamic museum, a highly regarded art gallery and a community hub that appeals to both locals and New Forest visitors. 

‘St Barbe is well-established and well-loved, particularly for its national quality exhibitions. We are keen to provide a landmark venue for the town, to build on our past successes, and to place community engagement firmly at the heart of all we do.’  

Maria Ragan, Museum Director

People often ask why we’re called St Barbe Museum. The name comes from the St Barbe family who lived in Lymington in the 18th and 19th centuries. The building that houses us was built as a school in 1835 by money given by Ann St Barbe. The school was often referred to locally as the St Barbe school, so when in 1992 we took over the building, it seemed appropriate to name it after its founder.

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