There has been a building on this exact spot since 1239, though not the impressive late Victorian building which is there today. The Public Rooms amongst other purposes, house the Bodmin Town Museum where you can discover Bodmin’s colourful history and heritage from the very earliest of times up to the end of the second World War. Farming, religion, uprisings, justice and transport have all had a great impact on Bodmin and its surroundings and here you can find a wealth of information on these subjects alongside exhibits and archive materials on display.
Prices Free Admission
Open Easter - End September Mon - Fri 10:30am - 4:30pm; Sat 10:30am - 2:30pm. Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Described as the best military museum outside London. A fascinating display of the history of the County Regiment of Cornwall since 1702. A superb collection of weapons, uniforms, medals and memorabilia. There is also a comprehensive library and archive with assisted research facilities. A must for visitors to Cornwall.
Prices Adults: £2.50; Children: (School age) 50p; Seniors: £2.50; Group: (by arrangement) (10) £2.00 per head
Open Mon - Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm. Open all year except Christmas Check in advance regarding bank holidays.
The Museum of Witchcraft houses the world's largest collection of witchcraft-related artefacts and regalia. There are aspects of witchcraft that some find disturbing, but the museum presents a complete, unbiased picture - our aim is to change attitudes and enlighten visitors. There is a library facility available to serious researchers.
Welcome to King Edward Mine Museum which specialises in the mining history of Cornwall. The mine dates from the 19th century and most of the equipment in the mill has been restored to working order.
• Come for a guided tour of the mill with one of our experts • Ideal for children • Featured on BBC2 'Edwardian Farm' • See the Mineral Tramway Exhibition and use the adjacent cycleway • Great attraction for wet Cornish weather!
The exhibits in the museum tell the remarkable story of how this mine has survived almost intact for over 100 years. The visitor is shown how the mine complex developed and then is taken on a guided tour of the mill to see much of the rare equipment in use as it would have been in the early 1900s. Much of the machinery in the mill (where tin ore is processed) is amongst the last of its kind in the world. The museum is also a valuable resource for local schools.
King Edward Mine Museum, Troon, Camborne, Cornwall. TR14 9DP
Prices Adults £5.00, Under 16s £1.00, Children under 5 FREE. Party rates available on request. Well behaved dogs welcome. Free entry to the shop and Mineral Tramways Exhibition.
The British Cycling Museum in Camelford boasts a fascinating collection of 2, 3 and even 4 wheel bicycles. Starting as a private collection, the museum opened in 1992 and now has around 400 bikes, each with its own story.
British Cycling Museum, The Old Station, Camelford. PL32 9TZ.
The Davidstow Airfield and Cornwall at War Museum has a wide remit, dedicated primarily to RAF Davidstow moor from its opening on 1st October 1942 until its closure at the end of 1945. It also covers all the other airfields along the North Comwall coast, the Royal Navy in and around the county, the Army civilian services, home front etc. The area is still a military training area so that gives us scope to bring in the post-war period.
Prices Adult - £4.00; OAP - £3.00; Child - £3.00; (under 5 free); Family - £10.00 (2 adult and 3 children up to 16 yrs)
Open Daily (on days specified): 10:00am - 5:00pm; 19th March - 28th June: Wed - Sun. 29th June - 27th Sept (including school & bank holidays) Mon - Sun 28th Sept - Half Term Wed - Sun Closed over Winter.
The collection charts the Heritage and Development of Looe as an important port servicing both fishing and mining industry. Also the transformation of the town into a major tourist centre. One of our most popular displays is that of Looe Island. Recently featured on Time Team, the island Chapel site, combined with a nearby mainland monastic site excites a lot of interest. The subsequent history of the Island from smugglers to the Atkins sisters is well documented.
Prices Adults - £1.80, Children 80p
Open Spring Bank Holiday Weekend to end September: Sun - Fri 11:00am - 4:00pm.
Try crabbing, wildlife watching boat trips, rope making and knot tying. Go under the sea and learn how to sail. Learn what it takes to survive when the worst happens at sea.
Dive into a world of shipwrecks, 'so much more than just a museum...'
Prices Adult £8.75, Seniors (Over 60) £7.00, Students £6.00, Children (6 - 15) £6.00, Under 5's FREE. Family ticket (2+3) £24.00
Open Daily 10:00am - 5:00pm. Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Housed in the old Fowey Borough Council Chamber the collection illustrates the past social and civic history of the town. Includes Mayoral Regalia, costumes, old photographs, models of old sailing ships postcards, etc.
The history of the parish is illustrated with displays depicting Farming through the Ages, the Fishing Industry, Education, Domesday Book entries, the Manors, World Wars, Coastguards, Churches, Chapels and much more. Illustrated by photographs, tithe maps, documents, parish records and other artefacts.
Prices Free Admission
Open (Not Sundays): Monday April 6th to Saturday July 25th 2.00pm - 4.00pm; Monday 27th July to Friday 28th August 11.00am - 1.00pm & 2.00pm - 4.00pm; Monday 31st August to Friday 30th October 2.00pm - 4.00pm.
The purpose of the Grampound with Creed Heritage Project is to tell the story of the countless generations of people who have lived in this place since ancient times.
Prices Free Admission
Open Wednesday 2:15pm - 4:15pm; Saturday 10:00am - 12:00pm.
Helston Museum is one of the largest folk museums in the South West, hosting a massive collection of exhibitions arranged carefully over two floors and five separate halls. From the narrow frontage protected by a cannon from the HMS Anson, the building opens up and extends back to provide a fascinating understanding of days gone by.
Prices Free Admission
Open All Year: Mon - Sat 10:00am - 1:00pm Holiday periods 10:00am - 4:00pm.
Lawrence House, Launceston, built in 1753, was given to the National Trust to help preserve the Georgian character of Castle Street. Lawrence House is a Grade II listed building and is now leased to Launceston Town Council and in use as a local museum and civic centre. Lawrence House Museum details the history of the town from early times to the present day. Full of interesting exhibits, it features Victorian costume and the lives of some of the notable people associated with the town, such as John Couch Adams, the astronomer who is credited with co-discovering Neptune in 1846.
Prices Free Admission
Open Weekdays Only. from 30th March –30th October 2009. 10:30am – 4:30pm.
Liskeard and District Museum is situated in the award winning renovated Henry Rice building, known as Foresters Hall. The museum aims to link the past, the present and the future of Liskeard and its surounding areas in an interesting and informative manner for visitors of all ages.
Prices Free Admission
Open Mon - Fri 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Sat 11:00 am - 1:30 pm. Closed Bank Holidays and between Christmas & New Year.
Step back in time, with nostalgic sounds from the first half of the twentieth century. Entertainment for all the family, from a more relaxed era of Steam Trains, Austin Seven cars and the Picture-Palace with its mighty WurliTzer Organ.
Magnificent Music Machines is set in a tranquil setting by the old mill stream. Founded in 1967, the museum is open from Good Friday until the 31st of October from 10.30am to 5.00pm. Free car park.
12th century Lostwithiel was an important town and major port, becoming the capital of Cornwall in the 13th century. Today's fully accredited museum is a registered charity run by volunteers. Housed in a Georgian building, it aims to record, preserve and stimulate interest in local social and economic history by a varied display of objects, documets and photographs. A reference section focuses on the town's development and family histories.
Prices Free Admission
Open Easter to end September: Mon - Sat 10:30am - 4:30pm.
A very small museum run by enthusiastic volunteers. The museum houses many artefacts - around 90% of which come from Marazion - and the collections depict life in the town of last century.
Prices Adults: £1.00; Children: 50p; Under 10: Free
Open Easter Week, then Spring Bank Holiday - end October: Mon - Fri 10:00am - 4:00pm.
History's first mention of Mevagissey is in 1313, but its fine, harbourside museum suggests it is much older. Older even than the two 6th century Irish missionaries who gave it its name, or the archaeologically attested trade with Phoenicians in copper and tin. A museum piece itself, the building in which the exhibits are housed belongs to the 18th century when it was used to construct and repair vessels for smuggling.
A small museum that tries to capture the spirit of this ancient sea-port from earliest times to the present day. The 'Obby 'Oss, the lifeboat, the shipwrights' tools each tell their own story and link to the people that inhabited this old town.
Prices Adults: £1.50; Children: Free
Open Easter - late October: Mon - Fri 10:30am - 4:30pm ; Sat. 10:30am - 1:00pm.
This small museum encompasses interesting objects from the vast span of unique history of Penryn and gives an insight into the people who created our past.
Prices Free Admission
Open Mon-Fri 10:00am - 3:30pm Closed during December and January.
Penlee House Gallery & Museum is an elegant gallery set within a Victorian house and park. Changing exhibitions mainly feature famous 'Newlyn School' and Lamorna Group artists (1880-1930).
Prices Adults £3.00; Concessions £2.00; Children Free
Open Summer: Good Friday to 30 September, 10.00am - 5.00pm (last admissions 4.30pm) Winter: 1 October to Maundy Thursday, 10.30am - 4.30pm (last admissions 4.00pm). Closed Sundays.
The museum offers an insight into the social and industrial past of Perranporth and the surrounding villages with displays of mining, fishing, costume, farming, a replica of a Cornish kitchen and much more.
Located in The Warren overlooking the harbour, the Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing houses a remarkable collection of exhibits and 19th century photographs as well as many items of memorabilia dating from the 18th century when both smuggling and fishing thrived in Polperro. It vividly brings to life the story of this Cornish fishing village's extraordinary history and many of the people who featured in it.
Porthcurno was once the world’s most important cable station and was connected to more than 100,000 miles of cable radiating out under the oceans linking one cable station to another in a global network.
In 1941 this important communications site was relocated under ground to protect it from enemy attack.
A unique feature of a visit to Porthcurno Telegraph Museum is the opportunity to enter the underground telegraph station and see original equipment actually working, an in depth coverage of the subject!
Prices Adults: £5.50; Children: £3.10; Concession: £4.90; Family: £13.20; Student: £3.90; Under 5s are free
Come and explore ancient Spearheads, Arrowheads & Tools from The Iron Age or 19th century documents from town traders. There is a large number of mining artifacts including: The ‘Thomas’ Collection of Minerals; Miners’ Tools; Candles; Tokens; Carbide (Acetylene) Lamps; Models of Mines, Headgears, Pitworks; Model Engines; Tin Ingots; Documents; Share Certificates; Deeds; Ledgers; Cost Books; Shift Bosses’ Hand Books; Plans & Diagrams; A large collection of Photographs of Mines dating from the 19th Century.
Redruth Old Cornwall Society Museum, Tolgus Tin, Treasure Park, New Portreath Road, Redruth. TR16 4HN. Contact Person: Ron Opie. Tel. 01209 215084
Elliott's Store was closed in the 1970s and remains as it was when closed, although the fixtures and fitings predate this by many decades. An exhibition concentrates on the history of the family, the building and local Social History.
Prices Adults: £1.00; Children: 50p
Open Easter - end October Wed 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Sat 10:00am - 12:00pm
Open at pre-arranged times for schools, community groups and larger parties on request.
Mary Newman's Cottage is a hidden jewel in Saltash's crown. Reputedly the home of Sir Francis Drake's first wife, hence the name. No-one really knows what the cottage was originally called but we know it is in Culver Road. Perhaps it was always merely Number 48? There is much written about the exploits of Sir Francis.
Prices Adults: £2.50; Children: £1.00
Open Easter to October but a check before travelling is strongly recommended. Wednesdays 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Saturdays and Sundays 12.00 noon to 4.00pm.
St Agnes Museum is full of fascinating artefacts and information about the Parish of St Agnes. There's lots about our rich mining and maritime history with a detailed model of the former harbour and our fabulous Lady Agnes figurehead.
There are items relating to agriculture, a colourful natural history display and a fine mineral collection.
Prices Free Admission
Open Easter - end October: Open Every Day from 10.30am to 5.00pm.
More than 150 years of Cornish history Explore St Austell Brewery's interactive museum and learn the fascinating story of our pubs, beers, wines and spirits and about the Cornish families who created them. Walk through the Victorian Brewery and see the brewing process first hand, including the secret spring that supplies our water! End your tour at the Hicks Bar with some essential sampling of award winning ales. Then visit the licensed Brewery Shop where you will find an extensive range of wines, spirits, gifts and of course, St Austell bottled beers - all at special prices!
Prices Adult £8.00 Child £5.00 (must be 8 years or older to go on the tour). Seniors £6.00 Student £6.00 CAMRA member £5.50 Groups over 15 people receive a 10% discount. All tours include a free pint of cask ale or a soft drink at the Hicks Bar
Open Open every day, excluding Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day (Closed on Sundays from October to June).
The museum, situated at Wheal Dream in the old fishing quarter, overlooks St Ives Bay and contains many varied displays and collections relating to the St Ives locality. It is St Ives's best kept secret, there is plenty for all ages to discover and learn.
Prices Adults: £1.50; Children: 50p
Open Monday before Easter - 7th November 2009: Mon - Fri: 10.00am - 5.00pm, Sat 10.00am - 4.00pm.
Visiting the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is a unique experience, which offers a remarkable insight into the work and outlook of one of Britain's most important twentieth century artists. Sculptures in bronze, stone and wood are on display in the Museum and Garden, along with paintings, drawings and archive material. Barnoon Hill, St. Ives. TR26 1AD
Prices Admission: £4.65 (£2.70 concession)
Open March to October: Every Day 10:00 - 17:20, Last Admission 17:00. November to February: Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 - 16:20, Last Admission 16:00. Closed 24 - 26 December.
Cornwall's oldest and most prestigious museum, famed for its internationally important collections and exhibitions.
There is also a collection of Newlyn School paintings in our fine and decorative arts gallery and an extensive mineralogy collection. Families are well catered for with a wide variety of exciting themed activities.
Prices Free Entry
Open Please Tel. 01872 272205 to confirm opening times. Opening hours Mon - Sat: 10am - 4:45pm Closed: Sunday and Bank Holidays
Come and explore the Wayside Folk Museum at Zennor. Many visitors comment that visiting the Wayside is like entering a tardis - outside it looks so small but, once inside, not only are you transported back in time, but all are amazed by just how much there is to see. Don't miss the Wayside if you want to really experience Cornwall!
Open April & October: Sunday to Friday 11.00am - 5.00pm. May to end September: Sunday to Friday 10.30am - 5.30pm. Plus Saturdays during Summer School & Public Holiday Weekends Last entry 45 minutes before closing.
