Bridport Museum & Art Gallery

Bridport Museum and Art Gallery is located in one of Bridport's most historic buildings, a Grade II* listed Tudor town house known as "The Castle". Originally founded in 1932, the museum serves as the primary repository for the town's rich heritage, including its world-famous rope and net-making industries.

The current building dates to the early 16th century, though its exact original purpose is unknown. It may have been a chantry house or a fortified structure protecting the town's northern entrance. The Castle is possibly named from its proximity to an area called "Castleyhay" or a possible ancient stronghold on the site. Before becoming a museum, the building was used for a variety of purposes, namely a pub (The Castle Inn) and as a Conservative Club. A major fire in 1876 destroyed much of the rear of the building, which was then restored to its current structure. Only the fine 16th-century facade and a Tudor corbel in the upper gallery remain of the original building. The museum was founded by Captain Alfred Percy Codd (1857-1941), a professional soldier and amateur artist. He purchased the building in 1931 for £1,800 and donated it to the Bridport Borough Council on the condition that it become a museum and art gallery to house his collection of paintings, specifically his copies of Turner’s watercolours.

In 2002, the responsibility of the Museum was transferred to the Bridport Museum Trust, an independent registered charity. In 2016, the Museum underwent a £1.3 million Heritage Lottery-funded renovation, reopening in May 2017 with modernised, interactive displays. Also featured are many Jurassic Coast fossils and archaeological finds, including a partial plesiosaur skeleton discovered at nearby Golden Cap in 2004. The aforementioned Rope and Net Industry features with large displays of equipment and stories ranging from use in Wimbledon's nets to NASA space shuttles.